Train On-Board Wireless Communication Zone Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The operating efficiency of a train is low when passing through a border region between two zones in a CBTC system, especially when only one wireless communication device is available, leading to increased driver workload and reduced operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The on-board equipment employs a wireless communication device that uses time-sharing communication with both handover and takeover Zone Controllers (ZCs), with a time management device determining wireless time-out slices to pause and resume communications, allowing the processing device to determine movement authorities and perform zone switching effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only one wireless communication device is available for communication with ZCs, then device complexity is reduced, but the train must stop in the border region and switch to manual driving mode, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing time-out time slices that periodically switch the wireless communication device between communicating with the handover ZC and the takeover ZC. The communication device alternates between these two ZCs in regular intervals, allowing automatic zone switching without requiring the train to stop or switch to manual mode, thus maintaining productivity while using only one communication device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the communication state dynamic - the wireless communication device dynamically switches between being connected to the handover ZC and the takeover ZC based on the current time-out time slice. This dynamic switching enables the system to adapt to zone transitions automatically, resolving the contradiction between using a single device and maintaining operational efficiency
2Device complexity
If only one wireless communication device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but driver workload increases due to manual intervention requirements, worsening ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the wireless communication device to automatically manage its own communication states with different ZCs through the time-out time slice mechanism. The system performs zone switching automatically without requiring driver intervention, allowing the driver to maintain CBTC driving mode throughout the process, thus reducing driver workload while using only one communication device
3Extent of automation
If the wireless communication device communicates with both handover ZC and takeover ZC simultaneously, then zone switching can be performed automatically, but device complexity increases due to hot-standby configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using time-out time slices to periodically alternate the communication device between handover ZC and takeover ZC. This periodic switching achieves automatic zone switching functionality without requiring a complex hot-standby configuration with multiple simultaneous connections, thus maintaining automation while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies merging by combining the functions of communicating with both handover ZC and takeover ZC into a single wireless communication device through time-division multiplexing. Instead of having separate communication paths for each ZC, the single device handles both communications sequentially within the time-out time slice framework, achieving automatic zone switching with reduced device complexity
4Extent of automation
If the wireless communication device pauses communication during time-out time slices, then automatic zone switching is enabled, but communication continuity is interrupted, potentially affecting reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through controlled communication pauses during time-out time slices, where the device systematically alternates between handover ZC and takeover ZC. These periodic pauses are managed within defined time boundaries and enable automatic zone switching while maintaining overall system reliability through the structured communication pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by having the processing device determine whether to perform zone switching based on communication contents received during time-out time slices. The system continuously monitors communication status and uses this feedback to make intelligent decisions about when to pause and when to maintain communication, balancing automation with reliability
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
On-board equipment and a train communication system are disclosed. The on-board equipment includes a wireless communication device, configured to receive a switching instruction from a ground responder; a time management device, configured to determine a wireless time-out time slice after the wireless communication device receives the switching instruction from the ground responder; a storage device, configured to store communication contents between the wireless communication device and the takeover ZC when the wireless communication device pauses communication with the takeover ZC; and a processing device, configured to determine a next movement authority according to the communication contents between the wireless communication device and the takeover ZC, determine whether the current movement authority is connected with the next movement authority, and perform zone switching if a determination result is yes.