Rail Vehicle Positioning via Stereo Camera and Radio Anchor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for locating rail vehicles during track maintenance lack reliability and robustness, particularly in situations where one or more systems fail, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A method combining a stereo camera system with a radio-based measuring system using anchor modules and transponders, along with chirp spread spectrum for signal transmission, to generate and compare position data, ensuring reliable and robust location of rail vehicles even in case of system failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single measuring system is used for locating rail vehicles, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to system failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two independent measuring systems (optical stereo camera system and radio-based measuring system with anchor modules and transponders) into a unified locating solution. The central system unit integrates position data from both systems, allowing the rail vehicle to be located reliably even if one system fails, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by merging multiple systems.
2Reliability
If traditional signal transmission methods are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to signal distortion from jamming or spoofing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies chirp spread spectrum modulation technique that changes signal parameters (frequency over time) to transmit position data. This parameter change approach makes the signal resistant to jamming and spoofing, as the spreading code and frequency modulation prevent unauthorized interference, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and signal complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The combined method achieves high reliability and robustness in locating rail vehicles, ensuring safety by providing redundant systems that maintain locatability even if one system fails, and preventing signal distortion due to jamming or spoofing.
Implementation Method 1
by means of the stereo camera system an image pair is recorded from a reference point in a lateral environment of the track and wherein by means of photogrammetry the position of the rail vehicle is determined in relation to the reference point
Implementation Method 2
multilateral signal transmission between the anchor modules and the transponders is carried out by means of chirp spread spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining a position of a rail vehicle, moving on a track, by means of an optical measuring system comprising a stereo camera system and an evaluation device, wherein by means of the stereo camera system an image pair is recorded from a reference point in a lateral environment of the track and wherein by means of photogrammetry the position of the rail vehicle is determined in relation to the reference point. The position of the rail vehicle is additionally detected by means of a radio-based measuring system for real-time locating by means of anchor modules attached to the rail vehicle and by means of transponders attached to several reference points, wherein position data of the two measuring systems are compared by means of a central system unit. In this way, two independent measuring systems are used to generate position data.