Rail Vehicle Wireless Network Relay for Communication Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multiple-unit rail vehicle systems, radio transmissions between lead and remote vehicles can be lost or degraded due to terrain issues, leading to reduced performance, increased fuel consumption, and reliability problems, and local communications can congest bandwidth, causing signal loss and system shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a wireless network provided by a wayside device to relay data communications between rail vehicles, using multiple communication paths such as cellular and non-cellular links, and switching between off-board and onboard communication modes to ensure reliable data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a dedicated narrow-band radio link is used for direct communication between lead and remote vehicles, then the system structure is simple, but the reliability of data communication deteriorates due to terrain issues and signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless network as an intermediary communication path between lead and remote vehicles. When direct radio links fail due to terrain or distance, the wireless network relayed through infrastructure elements acts as a mediator to maintain communication, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple system structure and communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple communication paths with different parameters (direct radio link, wireless network, cellular communication) that can be dynamically selected based on operating conditions. This allows the system to change communication parameters adaptively, maintaining reliability without permanently increasing system complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple communication paths are implemented to improve reliability, then the reliability of data communication improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic communication system that automatically selects among multiple communication paths (direct radio link, wireless network, cellular) based on real-time conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high reliability through path diversity while keeping operational complexity manageable through automated selection rather than manual configuration of all paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is designed with multi-functional capability, where a single communication management system can handle multiple types of communication (direct radio, wireless network relayed, cellular) through unified protocols and interfaces. This universality reduces the effective complexity by providing a single system that performs multiple functions rather than separate dedicated systems for each communication type.
3Ease of operation
If local communications between vehicles are increased to provide comprehensive control, then the operational control capability improves, but the bandwidth congestion increases causing signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication load by separating local vehicle-to-vehicle communications from remote communications. Local communications continue to provide comprehensive operational control, while wireless network relayed paths handle additional control signals, preventing bandwidth congestion in any single channel and maintaining both operational capability and signal reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device of a vehicle system includes one or more antennas configured to be disposed onboard a first vehicle of the vehicle system, a first modem configured to be disposed onboard the first vehicle and to communicate a first wireless signal to one or more of a second vehicle of the vehicle system or an off-board device using the one or more antennas, and a second modem configured to be disposed onboard the first vehicle and to communicate a second wireless signal to the one or more of the second vehicle or the off-board device using the one or more antennas. The first modem is configured to communicate the first wireless signal via a first type of wireless communication link and the second modem is configured to communicate the second wireless signal via a different, second type of wireless communication link.