CN1946602A - On-board message repeater for railroad train communications system - Google Patents

Abstract

A distributed power train (10) communications system for sending and receiving signals between a lead locomotive (14) and remote locomotives (12A/12B/12C) in the train (10). A lead (14) initiated message is received by at least the remote locomotive (12A/12B) nearest to the lead unit (14). The receiving remote unit (12A/12B) retransmits the message for receiving by the next remote unit (12C) in the train. Thus the message leapfrogs down the train from the lead unit (14) to the remote units (12A/12B/12C). When the last remote unit (the nth remote unit) (12C) receives the message, the last remote (12C) transmits a status or other response message to the lead unit's message. The status message is received at the (n-1)th remote unit (12A/12B), which appends its status message and transmits the combined status messages toward the lead unit (14). Each successive remote unit receives the status messages of the other remote units and appends its status message, until the concatenated status message reaches the lead unit (14).

Description

The on-board message repeater that is used for train communication system

Present patent application requires the pass state temporary patent application No.60/565 that April 26 in 2004, order was submitted to, 591 rights and interests.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to train communication system, relate in particular to the on-board message repeater of the train communication system that uses for distributed power train, described distributed power train comprises pilot engine and one or more remote locomotive.

Background technology

The operation of distributed power train (distributed power railroad train) provides power and braking from pilot engine (locomotive) (or guidance unit) and one or more remote locomotive (or remote unit), and remote locomotive (or remote unit) separates with set a distance with guidance unit in train.In a kind of configuration, distributed power train comprise locomotive portion pilot engine, last vehicle of train (EOT) position remote locomotive and be arranged in train locomotive in the middle of train middle part between locomotive portion and the afterbody one or more.The operation of distributed power train can be more suitable for long line car marshalling (consist), with the manipulation and the performance of improvement train, and especially is more suitable for crossing the train in mountain area.

In distributed power train, each pilot engine and remote locomotive provide the power and the braking of train.The command messages that starts and brake is sent by the operator in the pilot engine, and (for example by radio-frequency (RF) communication system, the LOCOTROL  distributed power communications system of the prior art that the General Electric Co. Limited of New York Si Kanaitadimei provides) be provided for remote locomotive, and radio-frequency (RF) communication system comprises the reception and the transmitter of radio frequency link (channel) and guidance unit and remote unit.The remote locomotive that receives responds these orders, applies tractive force or braking force to train, and to the reception and the execution of guidance unit notification command.Guidance unit also sends other message to remote unit, comprises status request message.Remote unit responds by send it back the state response message to guidance unit.

In the train of the remote locomotive with two or more direct couplings, the locomotive of coupling is by means of work by the control signal of their bonded assembly MU (multiple-unit) circuits emission harmoniously.With regard to distributed power communications system, one of them locomotive is designated as in check remote unit.Have only in check remote unit to be configured to receive the order of launching by guidance unit, and by suitable response message response guidance unit.

One of aspect of train operation most critical is the measurable and successful operation of Pneumatic brake systems.Pneumatic brake systems comprises the water brake in each locomotive (comprise pilot engine and all remote locomotives) and the carriage brake of every joint railway car.The water brake of guidance unit is controlled by locomotive operator in response to the position of locomotive brake handle, and the drg of railway car is controlled in response to the position of automatic brake handle.Water brake can also be controlled by the automatic brake handle.

Pressure in the brake piping of the handle of automatic brake or controller control transmission fluid, and brake piping extends along the length of train, and carry out fluid with carriage brake system and be communicated with, be used for changing the carriage brake that applies or remove every joint railway car in response to the pressure of brake piping.Particularly, the variation of the brake piping fluid pressure that causes by brake activation (in response to reducing of brake piping fluid pressure) or by brake off (in response to the increase of brake piping fluid pressure) of the control cock of every joint railway car (generally comprising a plurality of valves and interconnected piping) response.Fluid in the brake piping generally includes pressurized air.The operator controls the automatic brake of pilot engine the pressure decay of hand starting guidance unit, and this pressure decay is sent to the afterbody of train along brake piping.The control cock induction pressure of every joint railway car descends, and responds this pressure decay, provide pressurized air from the air container of local railway car to wheel brake cylinder, and wheel brake cylinder is held the wheel of railway car tightly with the relief brake shoe.The air container of railway car was inflated by the air of discharging from brake piping once more in non-brake operating interim.

Pilot operationp person also influences pressure in the brake piping by control automatic brake handle and increases and come the order brake off.Pressure increases sensed at railway car, and increases in response to pressure, and brake shoe unclamps the railway car wheel.

In distributed power train, except that regulating brake-pipe pressure influences applying of railway car drg and remove, guidance unit is by sending suitable signal via communication channel to remote unit, and the order remote unit applies and remove braking.As described further below, the applying and remove because the fellowship of guidance unit and remote unit of braking, therefore the length along train more promptly works.Owing to need some to keeping the restriction of Train Control, so in distributed power train, command brakes or brake off can also come order by guiding or remote locomotive.

Can apply the railway car braking in two ways, that is, and pedal brake or emergency braking.In pedal brake, braking force is applied in to railway car, train is slowed down or is parked in the fwd position along rail.During pedal brake, the pressure of brake piping is slowly reduced, and in response to this, gradually brake activation.The ratio of the pressure that the handle that operator's control is controlled by autobrake reduces.The braking of mis-behave is a kind of form of pedal brake, and wherein, brake-pipe pressure reduces to zero, but emptying occurs at predetermined ratio, and different with emergency braking as described below, railway car does not make the brake piping exhaust during the braking of mis-behave.

Emergency braking comes applying fast of order train carriage brake by the fast evacuation or the exhaust of the brake piping of guidance unit (with the remote unit of distributed power train).When the set pressure of sensing indicating emergency braking when railway car reduced ratio, railway car also made the brake piping exhaust, so that along the emptying of train build up brake piping.Unfortunately, because passing train, brake piping spreads thousands of sign indicating numbers, so emergency braking can not take place rapidly along the whole length of brake piping.Therefore, braking force is not to be applied to equably to make on every joint railway car that train stops.

On distributed power train, braking is finished by the brake piping exhaust that makes pilot engine and remote locomotive, therefore, should quicken the exhaust of brake piping and the applying of drg of every joint railway car, especially near those railway cars of last vehicle of train.As understandable, brake piping need transmit the decline of brake-pipe pressure along train length only in the guidance unit exhaust in the conventional train, has therefore slowed down the braking away from the railway car of guidance unit.For the distributed power train that between guiding and remote unit, has operative communications link, when the autobrake control handle of train operator by the operation guide unit comes command brakes (for example, pedal brake or emergency braking) time, the brake piping exhaust, and the brake application order is launched to each remote unit by radio frequency communication link.In response, each remote unit also makes the brake piping exhaust.Therefore, the signal that remote locomotive is launched in response to communication system is followed the braking of guidance unit and is braked.

The brake off that sends at guidance unit also sends remote unit to by radio frequency link, thereby the brake piping of all locomotives is inflated to rated pressure once more, has reduced the gas filed once more time of brake piping.

If by train operator or in response to detected fault condition, started emergency brake application at pilot engine, then radio-frequency (RF) communication system sends emergency brake signal by radio frequency link to each remote locomotive.In response, remote locomotive makes the brake piping emptying.This technology is allowed carrying out more fast of emergency brake application, because the brake piping of all locomotives is drained, and is not only that the brake piping of the pilot engine in the conventional train is drained.

Fig. 1 and 2 has schematically illustrated exemplary distributed power train 10, and it is advanced along arrow 11 indicated directions, wherein, and one or more remote unit 12A-12C or control by guidance unit 14 (Fig. 1), or control by control tower 16 (Fig. 2).Locomotive 15 is controlled by means of the MU circuit 17 that connects these two unit by guidance unit 14.Instruction of the present invention can be used for distributed power train 10 and the communication system of working therewith as described below.

It should be understood that the unique difference between the system of Fig. 1 and 2 is: order and message change into by the control tower 16 from Fig. 2 from guidance unit 14 issues of Fig. 1 and issuing, and some interlocking of Fig. 1 system is eliminated.Usually, control tower 16 communicates with guidance unit 14, and guidance unit 14 links remote unit 12A-12C subsequently.

In one embodiment, the communication channel of communication system comprises that bandwidth is the single half-duplex communication channel of 3kHz, and wherein, message and order are included in a serial binary data flow of upward using the frequency shift keying modulation to encode in four available carrier wave frequencies.Various bit positions pass on address, the transmitting element of information (for example, message, order, alarm), entity message, order or the alarm relevant, receiving element with transport-type address, routine beginning and stop bit and the error detection/correction bit.In the U.S. Patent number of owning together 4,582,280, described the details of message that system provided and order and the transformat of message and order separately in detail, be hereby incorporated by.

The distributed power train 10 of Fig. 1 and 2 also is included between the remote unit 12A/12B and a plurality of railway cars 20 that insert between (Fig. 1's) remote unit 12C.The layout of locomotive 14 and 12A-12C and railway car 20 only is exemplary among Fig. 1 and 2, because the present invention can be used to the layout of other locomotive/railcar.Railway car 20 is equipped with Pneumatic brake systems (not shown among Fig. 1 and 2), and Pneumatic brake systems applies the air brake of railway car in response to the pressure decay of brake piping 22, and raises and releasing air brake based on the pressure of brake piping 22.Brake piping 22 arranges along the length of train, and 24 defined pressure variation are controlled in the air brake separately that is used for transmitting guidance unit 14 and remote unit 12A, 12B and 12C.

In some applications, (off-board) repeater 26 is further as described below outside the venue, is arranged within the radio communication range of train 10, is used for trunking traffic signal between guidance unit 14 and remote unit 12A, 12B and 12C.

Guidance unit 14, remote unit 12A, 12B and 12C, repeater 26 and control tower 16 are equipped with transceiver 28 outside the venue, and it can be worked with antenna 29, is used for receiving and the emission signal of communication by communication channel.

The transceiver 28 of guidance unit is associated with vectoring station 30, is used for producing order and message, and issues to remote unit 12A-12C from guidance unit 14, and receives the response message in response to this.

To the control of braking in motive control and the guidance unit 14, automatically in vectoring station, generate order in response to the operator as mentioned above or as required.Each remote unit 12A-12C and outside the venue repeater 26 comprise distant station 32, be used to handle and respond emission, and be used to issue relay message and order from guidance unit 14.

Four original models of the radio transmission of communication system carrying comprise: (1) chain circuit message from guidance unit 14 to each remote unit 12A-12C, its " link " guidance unit 14 and remote unit 12A-12C promptly dispose or are provided with communication system and use for guidance unit 14 and remote unit 12A-12C; (2) link acknowledgement message, it indicates the reception and the execution of described chain circuit message; (3) from the order of guidance unit 14, it controls one or more functions (for example, applying prime power or braking) of one or more remote unit 12A-12C; And (4) by the state and the alarm of one or more remote unit 12A-12C emission, and it upgrades or the necessary operation information relevant with one or more remote unit 12A-12C be provided to guidance unit 14.

From each message and order that guidance unit 14 sends all long-range 12A-12C are broadcasted, and comprise the guidance unit identifier, use, so that determine that the guidance unit that is sending is exactly the guidance unit of same train for remote unit 12A-12C.The sure order of determining to impel remote unit 12A-12C execution reception.

The address that message that sends from one of remote unit 12A-12C and alarm also comprise transmitting element.As the result of the link process of before having finished, receiving element is pilot engine or another remote locomotive, can determine that whether it is the predetermined recipient of the emission that received by the identifier of checking transmitting element in the message, and can be in view of the above to respond.

These four type of messages comprise the address information that is comprised in each type, have guaranteed the safe transmission link, and it has the low probability of the destruction that is subjected to the interior interfering signal of train 10 radio transmission distance.This message allows remote unit 12A-12C to be controlled by guidance unit 14, and the operation information of remote unit is provided to guiding 14.

Though most order is issued by guidance unit 14, and is launched into remote unit 12A-12C, is used for aforesaid execution, has a kind of situation of remote unit 12A-12C to other remote units and guidance unit 14 issue an orders.If remote unit 12A-12C detects the condition of approval emergency braking, then this remote unit is to the order of the every other unit of train transmitting emergency braking.Therefore this order comprises the identifier of train pilot engine, and carries out at each remote unit, just as order by the guidance unit issue.

A kind of method that communicates between two links described in network in the term " radio link ", " RF link " and " RF communicates by letter " and the similar term that run through the present invention explanation.Should be appreciated that, be not limited to radio or radio frequency system etc. according to the communication link between two nodes (locomotive) in the system of the present invention, and mean to relate to all technology that message can be sent to another node or plural other nodes from a node, include but not limited to magnetic system, sound system and photosystem.Equally, describe system of the present invention in conjunction with the embodiments, wherein, between node, used radio (RF) link, and the wherein each kind of compatible this link of element; Yet the explanation of preferred embodiment at present also is not intended to the present invention is limited to special embodiment.

In distributed power train, in response to the order that the operator sends, the communication system of guidance unit is to radio frequency (RF) message of each this order of remote unit emission expression.This order can comprise the order of locomotive throttle or traction and the order of air brake, dynamic brake and electric braking.With regard to the order of air brake, in case the message of receiving, brake command is just carried out at each remote unit, so that quicken the command response of railway car, because remote unit received RF message before they sense the brake-pipe pressure variation.For example, if operator command braking, then brake piping is in the guidance unit exhaust, and the length of pressure decay along train is transmitted, up to the compartment that arrives last vehicle of train.The length that depends on train before pressure decay arrives last railway car, may be passed through some seconds.Make brake piping exhaust (latter is in response to RF message) at pilot engine and remote locomotive, quickened the exhaust of brake piping and the applying of braking of every joint railway car, especially near the railway car of last vehicle of train.Therefore, remote locomotive is in response to the communication system RF signals transmitted, and the braking of guidance unit is followed in its braking.

Brake off in that guidance unit sends also is delivered to remote unit by radio frequency link, thereby the brake piping of all locomotives is inflated to its rated pressure once more, has reduced the inflationtime once more of brake piping.

If train operator is sent emergency brake application at pilot engine, then communication system sends emergency brake signal by radio frequency link to each remote locomotive.Remote locomotive makes the brake piping emptying, so that the quicker execution to emergency braking is provided, this is because the brake piping of all locomotives all is drained, rather than as conventional train, has only pilot engine to be drained.

In a word, the message that sends by communication system allows railway car is applied how uniform tractive force, and improved deceleration and stopping performance, because each locomotive can be carried out brake application with the speed of RF signal, rather than carry out braking along the low speed that train transmits with the speed-slackening signal of air brake pipeline.

When distributed power train is operated in when estimating that each remote unit receives in the environment of the command messages that is sent by guidance unit, for example when train advanced, do not have closing on of radiofrequency signal to block along straight relatively track length, communication system was carried out work with mode standard.In this pattern, can expect do not have communication loss, interruption or repetition message (because message its expectation destination of no show when launching for the first time).According to the messaging protocol of fixed priority, control is with most of message of mode standard issue, and according to this agreement, and each remote unit is in response to guidance unit issued command message, emission state message after the predetermined space of order emission beginning.Therefore, distribute time slot for each remote unit, this time slot begins the measurement of firing order message from guidance unit, and each remote unit is launched its message during the friendship time slot.

The timing diagram of Fig. 3 has illustrated and the relevant notion of fixed priority messaging protocol that is used for standard traffic, wherein, has described this system at the train that comprises guidance unit and four remote units.The notion of describing in conjunction with Fig. 3 can be applied to comprising the train greater or less than four remote locomotives.

According to this scheme, when time t=650msec, guidance unit firing order message (for example, brake command, traction order, dynamic brake order etc.), this command messages wishes to be received by all remote locomotives in the power distributed power train.As can in Fig. 3, seeing, the unlatching interval of having distributed 30msec for each transceiver (radio station), and exemplary command message length is 193msec.After the emission from guidance unit began to have passed through predetermined space, 50msec for example shown in Figure 3, first remote locomotive be firing order message and its status message (for example, first remote locomotive makes the brake piping exhaust in response to brake command) once more.Status message is used for pilot engine, thereby train operator is apprised of the response of first remote unit to order.Be also noted that each remote unit retransmits command messages and its status message are so that the possibility that the maximization order is received by all remote locomotives.Illustrative opening time, message time length etc. only are exemplary among Fig. 3, and can change according to the application and the standard of the element that comprises communication system.

Second remote locomotive is after predetermined delay, and for example after the emission from first remote locomotive finished 50msec, forward command message was also launched its status message.The process of persistence command forwarding and state emission has been transmitted command messages up to all remote locomotives, and has been launched their status messages separately.The condition that has occurred the end of message when last remote locomotive has been launched its state, after this, guidance unit can freely be launched another command messages to remote locomotive.In the embodiments of figure 3, the end of message occurs in the 2271msec after t=2896msec or the guidance unit initial transmissions.

When guidance unit firing order message, guidance unit will not know whether this message is received by all remote units in the train, up to receiving remote status message (wherein, status message has been indicated the take over party of command messages and execution side) from each remote unit or not from one or more remote unit receiving condition message (lacking status message has indicated command messages not to be received).Therefore, according to an embodiment of communication system, receive command messages in order to guarantee each remote unit, command messages is transmitted by each remote unit.

Notice that possible is that one or more remote status message may not be directed the unit reception.When being this situation, guidance unit is retransmitted command messages, and waits each remote unit answer status message of train.A feature of the present invention that will be described below has increased the possibility that receives all status messages at guidance unit, has therefore reduced the repeating transmission probability, and has had no significant effect the overall transmission time of order and status message.

Except that aforesaid fixed priority protocol, some orders for example emergency braking, is classified as high priority command messages, and launches according to the different priorities agreement except that fixed priority protocol.But other command messages, for example communication system inspection is carried out work according to the transmission of these orders of control and other priority protocol of replying of remote unit.

Have approaching nature or artificial landform or the orbital segment that blocks because distributed power train is passed some, the line-of-sight communications link between transmission and the receiving element may be interrupted.Therefore, order and status message may not be received the unit reliably and receive, that is, for the message that sends from remote unit, pilot engine is a receiving element, and for the message that sends from guidance unit, remote locomotive is a receiving element.Though high-power, healthy and strong transceiver can successfully transmit to receiving element under some service conditions, this equipment is more expensive relatively.And, under some operating mode, even high-power transceiver all can't successfully finish communication, for example is traveling on the curve track section of contiguous obstruction naturally such as mountain at the long line car, and wherein the communication path between guidance unit and the one or more remote unit is subjected to the blocking-up of mountain.And when train passed through tunnel, some transceiver may not communicate with other transceivers on the locomotive.

In order to improve the reliability of system, an embodiment of the communication system of distributed power train comprises repeater 26 (see figure 1)s outside the venue, be used to receive the message that sends from guidance unit 14, and transmit (repeating transmission) message, so that received by remote unit 12A-12C.This embodiment for example can implement along the track length that passes through tunnel.In such an embodiment, repeater 26 comprises outside the venue: antenna 29 (for example, the leaky coaxial cable of installing along length of tunnel); And distant station 32, be used for receiving and repeating transmission guiding message, and guiding message is received by all the remote unit 12A-12C in the RF communication distance of repeater antennae 29.

Summary of the invention

According to an embodiment, the present invention includes a kind of communication means that is used for train, described train comprises pilot engine and remote locomotive.Described method also comprises from pilot engine emission outbound message, each remote locomotive receives outbound message from pilot engine or from another remote locomotive, and launch station message and received by last remote locomotive up to outbound message, at last remote locomotive in response to outbound message, the emission inbound messages, and each remote locomotive except that last remote locomotive, from another remote locomotive reception of inbound message, add local status message, and launch amended inbound messages, received amended inbound messages up to pilot engine.

According to another embodiment, the present invention includes a kind of communication system that is used for train, described train comprises pilot engine and remote locomotive.This communication system also comprises: communication channel; Radio station in the pilot engine is used for the outbound message that is received by remote locomotive by the communication channel emission; Radio station in each remote locomotive, be used to receive outbound message, and by communication channel emission by the outbound message that receives from the farther remote locomotive of pilot engine, wherein, radio station in each remote locomotive can not receive outbound message, and the radio station in the last remote locomotive is used for from pilot engine or from another remote locomotive receiving outbound message, and be used in response to outbound message, launch by the remote locomotive of more close pilot engine and the inbound messages of pilot engine reception by communication channel, wherein, radio station in radio station in the pilot engine and each remote locomotive is reception of inbound message not, and wherein, the radio station that has received inbound messages in each remote locomotive adds local status message for inbound message, forming amended inbound messages, and the amended inbound messages that receives by another remote locomotive or pilot engine by the communication channel emission.

Description of drawings

In view of reading following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings when thinking deeply, the present invention can more easily be understood, and its more advantages and purposes can more easily show, wherein:

Fig. 1 and 2 is the sketch that can apply the distributed power train of the present invention's instruction.

Fig. 3 is the timing diagram that is used for the prior art normal message priority protocol of communication system.

The timing diagram of airborne (on-board) message priority agreement that Fig. 4 instructs according to the present invention, use for the train that comprises four remote units.

Fig. 5 is the instruction card of the timing parameters of the on-board message priority protocol of instruction according to the present invention.

The timing diagram of another embodiment of the on-board message priority protocol that Fig. 6 instructs according to the present invention, use for the train that comprises four remote units.

The timing diagram of the on-board message priority protocol that Fig. 7 instructs according to the present invention, use for the train that comprises three remote units.

Fig. 8 is the timing diagram that is used for the message repeater system outside the venue of instruction according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 is standard priority messaging protocol, repeater message priority agreement and the time parameter instruction card relatively of repeater message priority agreement outside the venue.

Figure 10 is the sketch of distributed power train according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 and 12 is diagram of circuits of describing the treatment step of two embodiment according to the present invention.

According to routine, various described feature not drawn on scale are emphasized the special characteristic relevant with the present invention but be drawn into.Reference symbol has been represented institute's drawings attached and like in full.

The specific embodiment

Before the concrete grammar and equipment described in detail according to the priority message agreement that is used for the on-board message repeater system of the present invention, should be noted in the discussion above that the present invention mainly is in the novel combination of the hardware and software element relevant with described method and apparatus.Therefore, the hardware and software element is represented with conventional element in the accompanying drawings, only shows those details relevant with the present invention, so as not to obscuring disclosure and CONSTRUCTED SPECIFICATION, and having benefited from explanation at this, CONSTRUCTED SPECIFICATION is very conspicuous to those skilled in the art.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprise the prioritized messages agreement that is used for distributed power train on-board message repeater system, the distributed power train 10 of Fig. 1 for example, bound forward (leapfrog) from the head to last vehicle of train from the message of guidance unit 14 emissions along train, each continuous remote unit 12A-12C receives and transmits message simultaneously.

And, when train enter the pilot engine unit can not be successfully with the environment of each remote unit direct communication (for example, when train enters the tunnel), communication system can automatically switch to the priority protocol that is used for on-board message forwarding (OBMR) of the instruction according to the present invention.This switching occurs in for example when communication system is felt to interrupt surpassing predetermined fixedly time length (for example a minute).In case activate, in one embodiment, the OBMR agreement was with regard to effective 15 minutes, and after this, communication system is recovered the prioritized messages protocol operation of standard, that is, and and as describing in conjunction with Fig. 3.In another embodiment, communication system can be configured to continual OBMR operation, and perhaps the OBMR operation can be activated by hand by the operator of pilot engine.

Fig. 4 has illustrated the exemplary OBMR agreement of the train that is used to comprise guidance unit and four remote units.In this pattern, guidance unit firing order message (that is, and the message of order remote unit new function, or ask remote unit status and comprise the state updating message of the order of nearest emission).First remote unit receives the departures command messages, and transmits this message, receives for other remote unit in the train.

As shown in Figure 4, the 625msec of the emission of guidance unit behind the time t=0.This only is exemplary at interval, is illustrated in guidance unit reception message and back from the predetermined minimum interval between the guidance unit firing order.Attention message emission finish and message retransmission between exemplary 50msec delay interval and exemplary 30msec radio station (transceiver) opening time of distribution.Usually, the command messages that is sent by guidance unit, the message that is sent by remote unit and the gap length between the transmission of messages are fixed.Yet these length can change with the need at special applications of the present invention, and can be different between different rail operations persons.

Be different from aforesaid normal communications mode, first remote unit is not launched the status message of answer after receiving outbound message.On the contrary, first remote unit (with each follow-up remote unit) is transmitted outbound message, allows outbound message to transmit along the length of train by this, does not cause from the loss of time of each remote unit emission state message.As seeing from Fig. 4, each remote unit is retransmitted outbound message in its predetermined time slot separately.Therefore, message bounds forward along train, receives for each remote unit.At this moment, there is not status message to be returned to pilot engine.

When last remote unit (n remote unit) received command messages, last remote unit sent it back the individual remote unit of fwd (n-1) with its status message (that is inbound messages).According to standard practice, when configuration communication system or link guiding and remote unit, be configured to last remote unit from guidance unit remote unit farthest, promptly last remote unit " knows " that it is exactly a remote unit last in the train.Therefore, when last remote unit received outbound message, it utilized its status message to respond.The status message of remote unit 3 (under the situation of n=4) receiving remote unit 4, and the status message that storage receives is until its assigned timeslot, and at the friendship time slot, remote unit 3 is transmitted the status message of remote unit 4 and is added its status message, promptly launches this two status messages towards the direction of second remote unit towards the direction of guidance unit.Remote unit 2 receiving remote unit 4 and 3 status message add its status message then, launch these status messages towards the direction of guidance unit.This process is carried out always, arrives guidance unit up to the status message of each remote unit as series connected message, and described series connected message comprises the status message of each remote unit.

As can be seen from Figure 4, this occurs in t=4377msec, or begins to be transmitted into guidance unit from the departures command messages and receive always expending time in of all status messages and be 3752msec.

Standard operating procedure according to the distributed power train communication system, remote unit does not receive the incident of outbound message when outbound message is transmitted continuously from the guidance unit emission or by remote unit at first, and the remote unit of Jie Shouing will can not have the status message that guidance unit is returned in report.Guidance unit is expected the status message of each remote unit, and can determine that from the status message (status message of each remote unit comprises the identifier of remote unit) that receives which remote unit does not receive command messages (if any).Therefore, if guidance unit does not receive the status message of one or more remote units, then guidance unit is retransmitted order.According to an embodiment, pilot operationp person is apprised of this remote unit and misses reception by the suitable indication on the guidance unit telltale.

Accessible as those skilled in the art, the status message of remote unit emission can be received by the remote unit except that the remote unit of estimating to receive, that is, estimate that the remote unit that receives is the remote unit at the remote unit of approaching emission on the direction of train guidance unit.For example, in Fig. 4, distributed power train has four remote units, remote unit 2 and 3 can the receiving remote unit status message of 4 emissions.The status message of remote unit 2 storage remote units 4 is until its assigned timeslot, and can be when the status message of remote unit 4 be retransmitted by remote unit 3 status message of receiving remote unit 4 for the second time.Repeatedly the ability of receiving condition message has improved probability, that is: guidance unit receives the probability of the status message of each remote unit that receives command messages.

Recall for the failure-free system operation is provided, this mode of operation hypothesis remote unit can only be communicated by letter with adjacent remote unit effectively.Yet this restriction is not the condition precedent that is used for the operational power distributed power train in this pattern.

Fig. 5 indicates the relevant launch time of the message priority agreement that is used for the forwarding of train on-board message and the table of message content, reads train as shown in Figure 4, comprises a pilot engine and four remote locomotives.

The time delay between the beginning of the end of an emission and another emission has been indicated on the time delay hurdle of Fig. 5, for example, and the 50msec in the illustrated embodiment between the beginning that the end and second remote unit of the emission of first remote unit are launched.Yet 50msec is adjustable interval at interval, and promptly when remote unit transmits, next remote unit is before the emission that starts it, begin to wait for 50msec from the end of launching.If a remote unit does not transmit, then each remote unit of launching subsequently deducts 50msec from its launch time.The time delay hurdle is if all remote units time delay that each remote unit postponed before emission when not launching.For example, if remote unit 1 is not launched the then 100msec emission of remote unit 2 after the guidance unit emission finishes in its distributed time slot.The 50msec emission of remote unit 3 after remote unit 2 emissions finish.

According to the modification of the OBMR agreement of describing in conjunction with Figure 4 and 5, status message by remote unit during the emission of guidance unit direction, the command messages of departures is also by the remote unit emission, so that maximize the possibility that each remote unit receives command messages.This situation is illustrated at Fig. 6, has prolonged command messages from guidance unit emission and the time between the status message of guidance unit receiving remote unit, has and improves the benefit that each remote unit receives the probability of outbound message.

Fig. 7 is the timing diagram that is used for the message priority agreement of train on-board message repeater, and described train comprises pilot engine and three remote locomotives.The enforcement principle of distributed power train that is used to comprise three remote units is identical with the enforcement principle of the top distributed power train of describing in conjunction with Fig. 4 that is used for four remote units.As will be understood by the skilled person in the art, the embodiment of the described remote unit retransmits command messages of Fig. 6 also can be used to comprise the train train of any amount remote unit (or comprise) of guidance unit and three remote locomotives.

Fig. 8 is the regularly timing diagram of agreement when working with top message forwarder outside the venue 26 in conjunction with Fig. 1 description of standard traffic.Guidance unit is firing order message during time gap 200, and this command messages is received and retransmits by message forwarder 26 during time gap 202.Each of four remote units all receives the command messages of forwarding, and the status message by it responds during its distribution time slot.Repeater 26 receives the status message of all remote units, and retransmits the status message of all remote units, and guidance unit 14 receives described message during time gap 206, and message interval finishes after this.

The effectiveness of quoting among Fig. 8 (utility) message 210 is the message that sends by repeater 26 all guidance units in the radio range of repeater 26, impels the guidance unit of all receptions to postpone emission.For example, utility message prevents that guidance unit outside the tunnel and the remote unit in the tunnel from launching simultaneously.

Fig. 9 has compared the standard message agreement of prior art, OBMR agreement of the present invention and the standard message when message forwarder is worked message delay time of agreement regularly outside the venue.

In other embodiment, communication system of the present invention also comprises the diversity feature and/or the signal selection feature of antenna/radio, and it is favourable by the caused signal transmission path damage of multipath signal propagation, signal reflex and signal jam (for example because locomotive has been installed the pantograph (pantograph) that is used for providing to locomotive from the total output cable electric energy) for example for overcoming.

Each marshalling of two locomotives comprises that forward locomotive 250A/250B/250C and back are to locomotive 252A/252B/252C (see figure 10), each locomotive comprises that also forward radio 260A/260B/260C and back are to the 262A/262B/262C of radio station, each forward radio and antenna 266A/266B/266C work together, and work together to radio station and antenna 268A/268B/268C in each back, is respectively applied for the message of reception from other locomotives transmissions of train 270.The marshalling locomotive passes through MU (multiple-unit) cable 253A/253B/253C by coupling.According to conventional railwayese, the control signal that " A " unit of the designated control locomotive of forward locomotive 250A/250B/250C 252A/252B/252C or " B " unit, " B " unit send by means of the train operator in " A " unit also imposes on " B " unit with it by MU cable 253A/253B/253C.

When communication system was activated, the forward radio 260A/260B/260C of each locomotive and back were activated to the 262A/262B/262C of radio station.Therefore, two of each marshalling radio stations all receive the message that other unit are launched in the train 270.The signal quality metrics (for example reception of signal strength, the bit error ratio or valid data) of the message of each reception is all determined in forward radio 260A/260B/260C and back to the 262A/262B/262C of radio station.Comparison signal quality metric in comparator/treater 276A/276B/276C, and the message with good signal quality metric is chosen as the work message of using for the locomotive marshalling.

According to preferred embodiment, determine at forward radio 260A/260B/260C and the signal quality metrics of back, so that select to be used for the work message of this marshalling to all message of the 262A/262B/262C of radio station reception.For example, by making message stand the error detection and correction algorithm, determine the signal quality metrics of the signal that each radio station in marshalling receives subsequently by treatment in accordance with the present invention, the radio message that can check each reception is correct, therefrom selects to be used for the working signal of this marshalling.

Replacedly, be used for determining substituting of signal quality metrics, only analyze the signal quality metrics that first group of message bit determined message as handling whole signal.Message with good signal quality metric is chosen as the work message that is used for the friendship marshalling.

Usually, outbound message is from the antenna/radio 268A/262A emission of guiding marshalling, and status message is from the antenna/radio 266B/260B and the 266C/260C emission of long-range marshalling.In another embodiment, in order to make the crosstalk minimization of the accurate reception that can destroy received signal, one of them antenna 266A/266B/266C (with the cooresponding 260A/20B/260C of radio station) or one of them antenna 268A/268B/268C (with the cooresponding 262A/262B/262C of radio station) are chosen as the emitting antenna that adapts to the required direction that transmits.Notice that the front end of the locomotive marshalling that antenna 266A/266B/266C is contiguous associated arranges that (supposing that direct of travel is by arrow 11 indications) and antenna 268A/268B/268C are arranged in the rear end of associated locomotive marshalling.

The expectation direction of the signal of the definite emission of the 260A/20B/260C/262A/262B/262C of radio station (for example, type based on the message that is comprised in signal and/or the signal is inbound or departures), and the emitting antenna/radio station of the antenna/radio of the most close expectation reception of selection.For example, if comprise that the locomotive marshalling of locomotive 250A and 252A is the guiding marshalling, and expect that then antenna/radio 268A/262A is chosen as the antenna of work to the locomotive marshalling emission outbound message that comprises locomotive 250B and 252B.Comprise at each locomotive being used for from general supply (Figure 10 is not shown) when locomotive provides the pantograph 280 of electric current that this feature is especially favourable.According to this embodiment, select antenna (with cooresponding radio station) like this, promptly Qi Wang sense is away from pantograph.As example further, will send signal to the locomotive marshalling that comprises locomotive 250A and 252A if comprise the remote locomotive marshalling of locomotive 250B and 252B, then antenna/radio 266B/260B is chosen as the antenna/radio of work.

Figure 11 is the diagram of circuit of method that is used to realize the signal selection function of explanation instruction according to the present invention.In one embodiment, the method for Figure 11 for example realizes in the microprocessor in the locomotive 260A/260B/260C/262A/262B/262C and the related memory element in train locomotive.In such an embodiment, the step of Figure 11 is illustrated in the program of storing and can work in the memory element in microprocessor.When realizing in microprocessor, the program code configure microprocessor is to create the logic and the arithmetical operation of processing flow chart step.The present invention can also embody with the form with the computer program code of any known computer language compilation, comprise the instruction that embodies with tangible medium, for example floppy disk, CD-ROM, hard disk, DVD, movably medium or any other computer-readable recording medium.When the universal or special computing machine of program code by microprocessor control loaded and carry out, computing machine became and is used to implement equipment of the present invention.The present invention can also embody with the form of computer program code, for example, no matter it is stored in the storage medium that is loaded and/or carried out by computing machine is still launched by transmission medium, for example by electric wire or cable, by optical fiber or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when computer program code loaded by computing machine and carries out, computing machine became and is used to implement equipment of the present invention.

The diagram of circuit of Figure 11 is from step 300, and communication system is activated in step 300, so forward radio in each locomotive (260A/260B/260C among Figure 10) and back also are activated to radio station (262A/262B/262C among Figure 10).Shown in step 302, two radio stations of each marshalling all receive the message of other unit emissions in the train 270.Shown in step 304, the signal quality metrics (for example reception of signal strength, the bit error ratio or valid data) of the message of each reception is all determined in forward radio 260A/260B/260C and back to the 262A/262B/262C of radio station.At step 306 comparison signal quality metric, and the message with good signal quality metric is chosen as work message that (seeing step 310) uses for the locomotive marshalling.

The diagram of circuit of Figure 12 has been described the antenna/radio diversity feature of one embodiment of the invention.In step 330, produced the signal of another locomotive emission in train.In step 332, the expectation direction of the signal of emission (for example, the type based on the message that signal and/or signal comprised is inbound or departures) is determined.In step 334, the antenna/radio of the most close antenna/radio that is intended to receive is chosen as the antenna/radio of emission.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that without departing from the scope of the invention may make various variations, element available equivalents element of the present invention replaces.Scope of the present invention also comprises any combination of the element of the various embodiment that stem from this elaboration.In addition, under the prerequisite that does not break away from essential scope of the present invention, can change, so that particular case adapts to instruction of the present invention.Therefore, be intended that and the invention is not restricted to be intended to the specific embodiment described as realizing best mode of the present invention, but the present invention will comprise falling all embodiment within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. communication means that is used for train, described train comprises pilot engine and at least two remote locomotives, described method comprises:

From pilot engine emission outbound message;

For each remote locomotive, receive outbound message from pilot engine or from another remote locomotive, and launch station message, remote locomotive has to the last received outbound message;

In response to outbound message, launch inbound messages at last remote locomotive; And

For each remote locomotive except that last remote locomotive, from another remote locomotive reception of inbound message, add local status message, and launch amended inbound messages, received amended inbound messages up to pilot engine.

2. the communication means of claim 1, wherein, inbound messages comprises the status message of the remote locomotive state that indication is last, and wherein, local status message comprises that indication adds the status message of state of the remote locomotive of local status message.

3. the communication means of claim 1, wherein, outbound message was received by each remote locomotive before amended inbound messages arrives pilot engine.

4. the communication means of claim 1, wherein, the step that each remote locomotive receives outbound message also comprises: receive outbound message from pilot engine or from another remote locomotive, and launch outbound message successively and be used for by receiving away from the adjacent remote locomotive of on the pilot engine direction next, remote locomotive has to the last received outbound message.

5. the communication means of claim 1, wherein, the step that each remote locomotive receives outbound message also comprises: receive outbound message from pilot engine or from another remote locomotive, wait for that the schedule time and emission outbound message are used for by receiving away from next the adjacent remote locomotive on the pilot engine direction, remote locomotive has to the last received outbound message.

6. the communication means of claim 1, wherein, the step of each the remote locomotive reception of inbound message except that last remote locomotive also comprises: from another remote locomotive reception of inbound message, add local status message for inbound message, and launch amended inbound messages and be used for receiving, received amended inbound messages up to pilot engine by next the adjacent remote locomotive on the pilot engine direction.

7. the communication means of claim 1 also is included in pilot engine and receives amended inbound messages, and wherein, amended inbound messages comprises series connected status message, and series connected status message further comprises the local status message of each remote locomotive.

8. communication system that is used for train, described train have guiding marshalling and long-range marshalling, and long-range marshalling comprise forward locomotive with afterwards to locomotive, described communication system comprises:

Communication channel;

Radio station in the guiding marshalling is used for the outbound message that is received by long-range marshalling by described communication channel emission;

The radio station in each of locomotive at forward direction and back, all be used to receive outbound message, wherein, the radio station in the preceding locomotive determines the signal quality metrics of forward direction received signal, and wherein the radio station of back in locomotive determines the signal quality metrics of back to received signal;

Comparator is used for comparison forward direction and the back signal quality metrics to received signal;

Treater is used to handle forward direction received signal with better signal quality metrics or back to received signal.

9. communication system that is used for train, described train comprises pilot engine and at least two long-range marshallings, and each long-range marshalling comprises forward locomotive and back to locomotive, described communication system comprises:

Communication channel;

Be arranged in forward locomotive, back each antenna to locomotive and pilot engine;

Be arranged in forward locomotive, back each the radio station to locomotive and pilot engine, wherein, described radio station works with associated antennas, is used for transmitting and receiving signal by described communication channel;

Be positioned at the station of a long-range marshalling, be used to produce to another long-range marshalling or to the signal of pilot engine emission; And

Treater is used for determining the predetermined radio station of received signal, and is used for selecting forward locomotive or back to send signal to the radio station of locomotive in response to the predetermined radio station of received signal.

10. computer program that is used to operate train communication system, described train comprises pilot engine and at least two long-range marshallings, each long-range marshalling comprises that forward direction and back are to locomotive, wherein, forward direction, the back to pilot engine in each all comprise antenna and the radio station that is associated, be used for by communication channel emission and received signal, described computer program comprises:

Computer usable medium has the computer readable program code module that is included in the medium, is used to operate be positioned at one of them communication system of long-range marshalling;

Computer-readable first code modules is used to produce the signal by the communication channel emission;

Computer-readable second code modules is used for determining the predetermined radio station of received signal; And

Computer-readable the 3rd code modules is used for the predetermined radio station in response to received signal, transmits to locomotive from forward direction locomotive or back.

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