Waveguide Extension Sections for Accurate Vehicle Location
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for locating rail vehicles along a rail line using waveguides and electromagnetic pulses are not reliable and precise due to temporal fluctuations in pulse generation and evaluation, which affect the accuracy of vehicle location.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using waveguides with extension sections where the length is longer than the assigned route section, allowing for vehicle location based on the temporal stretching of backscatter patterns, independent of the time between pulse transmission and reception, and utilizing multiple extension sections to generate location signals and distance signals for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the time span between pulse transmission and backscatter reception is used for vehicle location, then location information can be obtained, but temporal fluctuations in pulse generation and evaluation reduce location accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide extension section acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the pulse transmission and backscatter reception. By introducing this intermediate structure with known excess length, the system transforms the measurement from direct time-of-flight (sensitive to temporal fluctuations) to a comparison based on the known extension section characteristics, thereby improving both accuracy and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from direct time-of-flight measurement to backscatter pattern length analysis. By measuring the length of the backscatter pattern in the time domain and comparing it with the known excess length of the extension section, the system achieves more reliable location determination that is independent of temporal fluctuations in pulse generation and evaluation timing
2Measurement precision
If waveguide extension sections are added to enable temporal stretching of backscatter patterns, then location accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is segmented into functional sections: standard waveguide sections and extension sections with known excess lengths. This segmentation allows the system to use the extension sections as reference markers for location determination, improving accuracy without requiring complex modifications throughout the entire waveguide structure
Solution Approach 2:
The extension sections create a temporal copy or reference pattern of the backscatter signal with known characteristics. By comparing the actual backscatter pattern against this reference (the stretched pattern from the extension section), the system achieves accurate location determination with minimal additional complexity
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 approach enables accurate and reliable vehicle location independent of temporal fluctuations, allowing for precise tracking and absolute location determination by analyzing the temporal length of backscatter patterns and spatial coding of extension sections.
Implementation Method 1
Electromagnetic pulses are fed into the waveguide one after the other. At least one backscatter pattern generated by vehicle-induced backscattering of the electromagnetic pulse is received
Implementation Method 2
the at least one extension section changes the backscatter pattern as such, namely stretches it over time
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for locating a vehicle (110) along a route (100), along which a waveguide (50) is laid, wherein in the method, electromagnetic pulses (Pin) are fed into the waveguide (50) in succession and at least one backscattering pattern (Rm1, Rm2, Rm3) produced by vehicle-induced backscattering of the electromagnetic pulse is received and evaluated for each emitted pulse. According to the invention, the waveguide (50) has at least one extension section (51-55) along the route (100), in which extension section the length of the waveguide (50) is longer than the section of the route (100) associated with said extension section (51-55), the time length (dt1-dt3) of the received backscattering patterns (Rm1, Rm2, Rm3) is evaluated, and a location signal (So) is produced if the length (dt1-dt3) of the received backscattering patterns (Rm1, Rm2, Rm3) is extended over time.