Route Signal Mapping for Reliable Vehicle Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication monitoring systems for vehicle systems are limited in providing predictive insights into communication landscapes, focusing mainly on past conditions with limited inputs, which hinders effective and predictable communication essential for coordinated functions like braking and propulsion.
Innovation Solution
A communication monitoring system and method that involve receiving and analyzing wireless communication signal strengths from onboard and wayside devices to determine spatial distributions, allowing for adaptive operation adjustments of vehicle systems based on these distributions, including the use of controllers, communication devices, and signal repeaters to ensure reliable communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing communication monitoring systems focus on past communication conditions with limited inputs, then the system complexity is reduced, but the predictive capability and communication reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and analyzing communication signal data in advance to create spatial distribution maps before actual communication operations. These pre-established maps enable predictive capabilities without requiring complex real-time analysis during critical communication events, thus improving reliability while managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to communication monitoring by creating two-dimensional or three-dimensional maps of signal strength distributions. This dimensional transformation allows the system to predict communication conditions across different locations and routes, enhancing reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity through sophisticated algorithms.
2Loss of information
If the system collects and analyzes spatial distribution data from multiple sources, then the predictive capability is improved, but the data processing complexity and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs data collection and spatial distribution analysis in advance, creating ready-to-use maps before actual communication operations begin. This preliminary processing eliminates the need for time-consuming real-time analysis during critical operations, thus reducing information loss while minimizing time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified representations (copies) of complex spatial distribution patterns through standardized map formats. These copied spatial models can be quickly referenced and applied without requiring complex real-time calculations, thereby preserving information completeness while reducing processing time requirements.
3Reliability
If the system adjusts vehicle operations based on spatial distribution of signal strengths, then the communication reliability is improved, but the operational flexibility and speed may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-identifies optimal communication routes and areas requiring signal augmentation based on spatial distribution maps. By preparing these recommendations in advance, the system enables operators to make informed decisions without causing delays during actual vehicle operations, thus maintaining both reliability and operational speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial distribution maps serve as an intermediary between raw communication data and operational decisions. These maps provide simplified, actionable insights that enable quick operational adjustments without requiring complex real-time analysis, thereby maintaining communication reliability while preserving operational flexibility and speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of communication monitoring. The method may include receiving wireless communication signal strengths measured in different areas from one or more communication devices disposed onboard a first system moving through the different areas or stationary communication devices at wayside locations in the different areas. The method may include receiving locations where the wireless communication signal strengths were measured. The method may then include determining a spatial distribution of the wireless communication signal strengths based on values of the wireless communication signal strengths that were measured and the locations where the wireless communication signal strengths were measured. The method may include changing operation of a second system based on the spatial distribution that may be determined.