Vehicle Optical Transceivers for High-Bandwidth Rail Data Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

In public transportation, especially rail-bound vehicles, the existing communication systems face bandwidth bottlenecks due to high passenger numbers, leading to insufficient data transmission capacity, which hampers the ability to provide reliable high-bandwidth internet and multimedia services.

Innovation Solution

A data transmission system utilizing multiple vehicle-side optical transmission/reception devices arranged transversely and stationary devices along the track on both sides, enabling independent communication links with full bandwidth and reducing interference through directional light transmission, allowing for increased bandwidth and flexibility in positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple wireless vehicles share the same radio cell resources, then network coverage is maintained, but bandwidth is insufficient for high passenger numbers

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidnetwork structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single radio cell into multiple virtual channels by introducing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDMA) with multiple subcarriers. Each vehicle can simultaneously access multiple subcarriers, effectively dividing the bandwidth resource to serve multiple vehicles with high passenger numbers without requiring separate physical radio cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimension radio frequency allocation to a multi-dimensional resource allocation space by introducing time slots, frequency subcarriers, and code divisions. This dimensional expansion allows the same physical radio cell to support multiple high-bandwidth connections simultaneously through orthogonal resource allocation.

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

2Reliability

If optical transmission devices are positioned on both sides of the track, then bandwidth and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication link stabilityVSAvoidtransceiver arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple optical transmission paths (left-side and right-side track transceivers) into a unified communication system with intelligent switching. The evaluation unit merges signals from both sides and selects the optimal path, achieving redundancy and reliability improvement while managing complexity through centralized control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters (signal strength, phase, frequency) based on real-time evaluation of left-side versus right-side transceiver performance. By adjusting these parameters according to environmental conditions, the system maintains reliable communication without requiring permanent dual-side infrastructure deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If directional light transmission is used, then interference is reduced, but positioning precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidtransceiver alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical alignment systems with optical field-based self-alignment mechanisms. Using spread spectrum technology and code division multiplexing, the system achieves interference-free communication through signal processing rather than precise mechanical positioning, reducing the stringency of alignment requirements while maintaining directional transmission benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances data transmission capacity and reduces interference, ensuring uninterrupted high-bandwidth communication even in crowded conditions, particularly suitable for rail systems where precise positioning minimizes environmental disturbances.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of vehicle-side optical transmission/reception devices on the at least one vehicle, which are arranged next to one another in the transverse direction to the direction of travel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3526098B1Network connection of vehicles
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
  • EP3526098B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3526098B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3526098B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a data transmission system (1, 1a) for a track-bound transport system comprising at least one vehicle (2, 2a). The data transmission system (1, 1a) comprises a plurality of vehicle-mounted optical transmitting/receiving devices (3, 3a, 3b) on the at least one vehicle, which are arranged perpendicularly to the direction of travel, and a plurality of track-mounted stationary optical transmitting/receiving devices (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) arranged along a route to be travelled by the vehicle (2, 2a), on the side of the route (2, 2a). The plurality of vehicle-mounted optical transmitting/receiving devices (3, 3a, 3b) is designed to communicate at least with the track-mounted stationary optical transmitting/receiving device (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) positioned the closest thereto and to independently maintain separate communication links (6) at as full a bandwidth as possible with one of the track-mounted stationary optical transmitting/receiving devices (5). The invention also relates to a track-bound transport system. The invention further relates to a method for transmitting data between a vehicle (2, 2a) and a stationary network.