Data Processing for Train Disturbance-Wave Source Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing train control systems using wireless communication are vulnerable to disturbance waves, which can disrupt communication and potentially violate radio laws, necessitating the early estimation of the disturbance wave's generation source.

Innovation Solution

A data processing device that includes a purely-lateral position estimation unit, a feature extraction unit, and a generation source position estimation unit to accurately determine the location of disturbance wave sources by analyzing measured reception power values and learning data to identify candidate distances and positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication is used for train control, then operation flexibility and wiring saving are improved, but vulnerability to disturbance waves increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring communication quality and detecting disturbance waves before they cause severe communication failures. The disturbance wave detection unit identifies disturbances in advance, allowing the system to take preventive measures such as switching to backup communication channels or alerting operators before critical failures occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the communication quality evaluation unit continuously assesses wireless communication quality and provides feedback to the disturbance wave detection unit. This closed-loop feedback enables real-time adjustment and mitigation of disturbance wave impacts, maintaining communication reliability while preserving wireless operation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If disturbance wave detection and position estimation systems are added, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication quality evaluation unit serves multiple functions: it evaluates overall communication quality, detects disturbance waves, and provides data for position estimation. By making this unit multi-functional, the system improves communication reliability without adding separate dedicated disturbance detection equipment, thus avoiding excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the disturbance wave detection function with the existing communication quality evaluation unit. Instead of adding a separate complex detection system, the disturbance detection capabilities are integrated into the already-present communication monitoring infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If precise disturbance wave position estimation is implemented, then harmful factors are reduced, but measurement precision requirements increase system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisturbance wave impactVSAvoidposition estimation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system estimates disturbance wave positions by analyzing communication quality data from multiple spatial dimensions (different ground stations and train positions). By utilizing multi-dimensional data from various locations and time points, the system achieves accurate position estimation without requiring excessively precise single-point measurements, thus reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses communication quality metrics and reception power values as intermediary parameters to estimate disturbance wave positions. Instead of directly measuring disturbance wave characteristics which would require complex equipment, the system uses readily available communication data as intermediaries to infer position information, simplifying the measurement system while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4368474B1Data processing device, data processing method, and data processing program
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4368474B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4368474B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4368474B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A purely-lateral position estimation unit (1603) estimates as an estimated purely-lateral position, when a disturbance wave to disturb communication performed in a train is generated while the train is traveling, a position existing in a purely-lateral direction with respect to a position of a generation source of the disturbance wave. A feature extraction unit (1604) extracts a feature of a measured reception power value being a reception power value measured in the train during a disturbance wave generation period wherein the disturbance wave has been generated. A candidate distance extraction unit (1605) extracts, from learning data indicating a plurality of candidate distances being candidates of a distance between the position of the generation source of the disturbance wave and the estimated purely-lateral position, and indicating for each candidate distance, a feature of an estimated reception power value estimated to be measured in the train when the distance between the position of the generation source of the disturbance wave and the estimated purely-lateral position is the candidate distance, a candidate distance for which the feature of the estimated reception power value matches the feature of the measured reception power value, as an extracted candidate distance. A generation source position estimation unit (1606) estimates a position being distant from the estimated purely-lateral position by the extracted candidate distance, as the position of the generation source of the disturbance wave.