Railway Vehicle Location Determination Using Dual Navigation Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS-based navigation systems for railway vehicles are insufficient for precise location determination, especially in multitrack systems, leading to increased complexity and cost due to the need for redundant modules and additional information for accurate track identification, which is vital for safety but not always available.
Innovation Solution
A method using two navigation modules, one providing regular resolution and the other high resolution positions, with confidence areas determined by accuracy measurements, and a weight of confidence assigned based on the overlap of these areas to ensure precise location determination without increasing operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two redundant navigation modules are used to improve location accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two navigation modules (public and restricted access) into a unified location determination system that processes both signals simultaneously. The analyzing unit merges the position data from both modules and applies confidence weighting to produce a single integrated location estimate, thereby improving accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of signal access rights by incorporating both publicly available signals and restricted access signals. By assigning different confidence weights to positions derived from different signal types and combining them mathematically, the system achieves higher precision while managing complexity through parameter-based signal differentiation
2Measurement precision
If additional information such as track maps and operator entries are used to improve track identification, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic track identification by analyzing the overlay of confidence areas from multiple navigation modules against stored track map data. The analyzing unit autonomously determines which track the vehicle is on without requiring operator intervention for track number entry or manual map consultation, thereby maintaining high precision while improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-stores track map data and confidence area information in the database, allowing the analyzing unit to perform rapid automatic track identification by comparing current position data against pre-prepared reference information, eliminating the need for real-time operator input
3Measurement precision
If redundant navigation modules and additional information systems are deployed to improve location accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but exploitation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the navigation system multi-functional by enabling it to process both public and restricted access signals simultaneously. The same hardware infrastructure supports multiple signal types and performs both high-level location determination and detailed track identification functions, thereby improving precision without proportionally increasing equipment complexity or exploitation cost
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for determining the location of a railway vehicle comprising a first navigation module determining a regular resolution position of the railway vehicle with a first accuracy measurement and a second navigation module determining a high resolution position of the railway vehicle with a second accuracy measurement, using the received signals. The method comprises the steps of determining a first confidence area around the regular resolution position, based on the first accuracy measurement, of determining a second confidence area around the high precision position, based on the second accuracy measurement, and of assigning a weight of confidence to the knowing of the actual location of the railway vehicle, by analyzing the overlay of the first and the second confidence areas and the first and the second accuracy measurements.