Vehicle PLC Network With Coupling Transformers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems in vehicles face challenges in maintaining high data rates and quality in electromagnetic environments, requiring rapid reconfiguration to handle variable train lengths and ensuring high availability to prevent disruptions due to failures, which existing solutions struggle to achieve within the stringent time constraints of automated rail transport.
Innovation Solution
A communication system utilizing Power Line Carrier (PLC) technology with dual conductive links and coupling transformers to ensure continuous data transmission, eliminating the need for active rerouting and reducing hardware requirements, while allowing for instantaneous redundancy switching and compatibility with modular train lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PLC technology with dual conductive links is used, then system reliability is improved through passive redundancy, but device complexity increases due to additional coupling transformers and dual-link architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-configuring dual conductive links with passive redundancy through coupling transformers. This allows the system to maintain data transmission capability even when one link fails, as the redundant link is already in place and requires no active reconfiguration. The redundancy is prepared in advance, cushioning against potential failures and ensuring continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling transformer serves as an intermediary device that enables the dual-link PLC architecture. It transforms and couples the electrical signals between the conductive links, allowing passive redundancy to function without requiring complex active switching or reconfiguration logic. The intermediary handles the complexity of link management, simplifying the overall system control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rapid reconfiguration is implemented to handle variable train lengths, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases due to routing reconfiguration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The PLC network implements self-service by automatically adapting to variable train lengths without requiring manual or controller-initiated reconfiguration. The dual conductive links with passive redundancy allow the network to self-adjust and maintain connectivity as train composition changes, eliminating the time-consuming reconfiguration process entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares beforehand for train length variations by maintaining dual conductive links that are already configured and ready for use. When train composition changes, the pre-configured redundant links can immediately take over without requiring reconfiguration, as the adaptability was built into the system architecture in advance.
3Reliability
If dual frequency radio frequency link with switching is used, then reliability is improved through redundancy, but device complexity increases due to switching equipment and routing reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical switching system with an electronic PLC-based solution. Instead of using physical switches and routers to manage redundant links, the system uses electrical coupling through transformers and PLC signal processing. This substitution eliminates complex switching equipment while maintaining reliability through the dual-link passive redundancy architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling transformer acts as an intermediary that simplifies the redundancy management. Rather than requiring complex switching equipment to manage dual-frequency radio links, the transformer provides automatic electrical coupling between conductive links, allowing the redundant path to be activated without complex routing reconfiguration or additional switching devices.
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
The system achieves high-speed, fault-tolerant data transmission with reduced hardware needs, meeting the stringent time requirements for rail transport and maintaining system availability by using passive redundancy and PLC technology, which is robust against electromagnetic interference and train length changes.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling transformer, as an advantageously passive element, is intended to restore an impedance distribution between the two links
Implementation Method 2
the communication link is of the PLC (Power Line Carrier) type and comprises at least two electrically conductive links
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention describes a communication system adapted for a vehicle and comprising a network for communication between at least two communication interfaces MOD1, MOD2, respectively connected to a first controller CTRL1 which manages/runs a control application and a second controller CTRL2 which also manages/runs the control application, wherein the communication interfaces have, per controller, at least one communication port from which a communication link is possible. For a control application transmission between the two communication interfaces, the communication link is a PLC (Power Line Communication) link comprising at least two electrically conductive links PLC1, PLC2 connected to each of the respective communication ports through at least one coupling transformer PLC-coupler.