Vehicle Path Intersection Control Using Reach Distance Forecasting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic (EM) based distance measuring systems for vehicles are inefficient due to low EM frequencies, leading to slow data transmission and limited transmitter identification, and are unsuitable for underground applications where GPS is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system using high RF signals synchronously transmitted with EM pulses, allowing for faster proximity detection and collision avoidance by calculating reach distances and angular velocities, and employing a listen-before-talk mechanism to manage concurrent communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional EM-based distance measuring systems use low frequency EM signals, then the system can detect objects and measure distances, but the data transmission takes a long time and transmitter identification is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic EM pulses instead of continuous low-frequency signals. By transmitting short, periodic pulses at optimized intervals, the system achieves faster data transmission while maintaining reliable transmitter identification through pulse timing and synchronization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the frequency parameter of EM signals from conventional low frequencies to higher frequencies, enabling faster data transmission. This parameter change is implemented while using pulse modulation techniques to maintain signal reliability and transmitter identification capability.
2Reliability
If EM-based distance monitoring systems negotiate transmission slots in real-time, then on-air collisions can be avoided, but the system becomes unmanageable in environments with fluid numbers of moving transmitters
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary action by pre-assigning transmission time slots and frequencies to transmitters before they enter the environment. This eliminates the need for real-time negotiation, reducing system complexity while maintaining collision avoidance reliability through centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a centralized controller as an intermediary that manages transmission slot allocation. This mediator coordinates all transmitter communications, simplifying individual transmitter operations while ensuring collision-free communication through centralized scheduling.
3Measurement precision
If GPS tracking is used to determine vehicle position, then collision avoidance and reporting can be achieved, but the system is not available underground
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces GPS satellite-based positioning with a ground-based EM pulse transmission and reception system. This substitution enables position detection underground by using local EM infrastructure instead of space-based signals, maintaining measurement precision while improving environmental adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces ground-based EM transmitters and receivers as intermediaries to enable position detection. These intermediaries replace the GPS satellite infrastructure, allowing position measurement in underground environments where satellite signals cannot penetrate.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system and method forecast an upcoming intersection area of projected paths of a first vehicle system and a second vehicle system based on current movements of the first vehicle system and the second vehicle system. A reach distance of the first vehicle system is calculated as a distance from a leading edge of the first vehicle system to the intersection area. A difference between the reach distance of the first vehicle system and a designated gap distance with the designated gap distance are compared. The speed of the first vehicle system is automatically reduced responsive to the difference being no smaller than the designated gap distance and/or the first vehicle system is stopped responsive to the difference being smaller than the designated gap distance.