Rail Vehicle Position Sensing for GNSS Spoofing and Turn Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position of a rail vehicle are prone to errors, particularly due to spoofed GNSS data and distortions caused by wheel speed variations during turns, which can lead to safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement on the rail vehicle, comprising at least two sensors positioned transversely to detect positional velocities, is used to verify and enhance position determination by comparing these velocities with GNSS data, preventing spoofing and correcting for speed variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GNSS data is used for position determination, then position information can be obtained, but the data can be distorted by spoofing leading to incorrect position calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors positional velocities from multiple sensors and compares them against expected physical relationships. When discrepancies are detected (such as impossible velocity combinations or deviations from geometric constraints), the system triggers verification procedures and can reject faulty GNSS data, creating a feedback loop that maintains data integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification layer that processes raw GNSS data before it is used for position determination. This intermediary system cross-checks GNSS-derived positions against independent measurements from wheel encoders and other sensors, acting as a mediator that filters out spoofed data while allowing valid GNSS information to pass through
2Measurement precision
If wheel-mounted encoders are used to determine position, then position can be tracked, but wheel speed variations during turns cause distortions in position calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the vehicle into multiple measurement segments by placing sensors at different transverse positions. Each sensor independently measures positional velocity at its specific location, allowing the system to segment the overall velocity measurement into multiple components that can be individually corrected for their respective positions during turns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by recognizing that different parts of the vehicle experience different velocities during turns. Each sensor is calibrated and processed according to its specific transverse position, applying position-specific correction factors that account for the local velocity conditions at each measurement point rather than using a single global velocity value
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to determine positional velocities, then position accuracy can be improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by designing a multi-sensor platform where each sensor serves multiple functions: measuring positional velocity, providing redundancy for verification, and contributing to both navigation and verification modes. This multi-functionality justifies the increased sensor count by maximizing the utility of each additional component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a unified processing system that simultaneously handles data from various sensors, performs cross-verification, and generates position information. By combining sensors at different transverse positions into a single integrated measurement system, the complexity is managed through unified processing rather than separate independent systems
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor arrangement (7) for determining the position of a rail vehicle (1). To provide an improved sensor arrangement (7), the invention provides that the sensor arrangement (7) comprises at least two sensors (11) attachable to the rail vehicle (1), each configured to determine a positional velocity and arranged at different positions on the rail vehicle (1) transverse to the direction of travel (5), and at least one processing device (12) connected to the sensors (11), configured to process the positional velocities determined by the sensors (11). The invention also relates to a method for determining the position of a rail vehicle (1).