DE102022206653A1 - Method, planning device and communication system for data transmission between track-bound vehicles and a land-based device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, a planning device (20) and a communication system (1) for controlling the transmission of data between a plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) and a land-based device (13) via a wireless local communication network (7). In the method, data transmission is planned (M) using a land-based planning device (20). When planning (M), a requirement for data transmission between at least one track-bound vehicle (3, 5) of the plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) and the land-based device (13) is taken into account. Furthermore, when planning (M), a data capacity of the wireless local communication network (7) and location information, which determines the period of stay of at least one track-bound vehicle (3, 5) of the plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) within the range of the wireless local Communication network (7) is taken into account. The data is transmitted via the wireless local communication network (7) during a stay of the at least one track-bound vehicle (3, 5) of the plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) within the range of the wireless local communication network (7) depending on the planning (M ) transferred (0) .

Description

The invention relates to a method, a planning device and a communication system for controlling a transmission of data between a plurality of track-bound vehicles and a land-based device via a wireless local communication network.

In principle, it is known to transmit data between a plurality of track-bound vehicles and a land-based device via a wireless local communication network, for example WLAN (WLAN: Wireless Local Area Network).

EP 2 029 412 B1 describes a method for transmitting data, in particular between a rail vehicle and an operations control center.

Against this background, the object of the invention is to improve the transmission of data between the majority of track-bound vehicles and the land-based device via the wireless local communication network.

This task is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

According to the method according to the invention, the data transmission is planned using a land-based planning device. When planning, a requirement for data transmission between at least one track-bound vehicle of the plurality of track-bound vehicles and the land-based device is taken into account. Furthermore, the data capacity of the wireless local communications network is taken into account when planning. Furthermore, location information, which represents the period of stay of at least one track-bound vehicle of the plurality of track-bound vehicles within the range of the wireless local communication network, is taken into account. The data is transmitted via the wireless local communication network during a stay of the at least one track-bound vehicle of the plurality of track-bound vehicles within the range of the wireless local communication network depending on the planning.

The method is preferably a computer-implemented method.

The invention is based on the knowledge that track-bound vehicles generally stay within the range of the wireless local communications network for a limited period of time. One reason for this is that high utilization of track-bound vehicles is desired and therefore a stay (particularly a stop or parking) within the range of the wireless local communication network is of limited duration. During this period of time, the transmission of large amounts of data between the track-bound vehicles and the land-based facility is often desired. This data contains, for example, contents of a local hard drive of the track-bound vehicle and/or contents of a video database that contains image information generated by a video surveillance system of the track-bound vehicle. In addition, the data includes, for example, software updates for subsystems of the track-bound vehicle and/or media content, such as films, for passenger entertainment systems of the track-bound vehicle.

In addition, the invention recognized that even with a large bandwidth provided by the wireless local communication network, bottlenecks can arise in the transmission of data due to the number of vehicles, the amount of data to be transmitted and / or the limited length of stay of the vehicles. This can, for example, result in track-bound vehicles having to leave the wireless local communications network without completing the required data transmission. As a result, this can lead to disruptions in the operation of track-bound vehicles. Alternatively, the length of time vehicles stay within the range of the wireless local communications network must be increased. This can affect the desired high utilization of track-bound vehicles (since the vehicles have to stay within the range of the communication network for a long time).

A particular challenge is the number of track-bound vehicles that have to simultaneously transmit data via the wireless local network. The resulting conflicts lead to additional waiting time and repeated attempts to transfer the data.

The invention recognized that simply increasing the number of access points of the wireless local communications network does not represent a satisfactory solution. One reason for this is the resulting overlap of radio transmission frequencies and the associated interference (both within a channel and between different channels).

The solution according to the invention solves these problems through the land-based planning device, which plans the transmission of the data. This involves demands for data transfer that contain data technical capacity (transmission capacity) of the wireless local communication network and the location information are taken into account.

The person skilled in the art preferably understands the term “demand” to mean that the demand is based, for example, on a request or request from a communication participant who would like to obtain certain data or make certain data available to other communication participants.

The expert understands the term “capacity” as the ability of the wireless local communications network to transmit data.

The stay period is represented, for example, by the arrival time, which represents a time at which the track-bound vehicle comes into the range of the wireless local communications network, and by the expected departure time, which represents a time at which the track-bound vehicle is expected to reach the range of the wireless local communications network leaves, represents, investigates.

A significant advantage of the invention is that by using the planning device on land, preferably centrally, different requests for data transmission can be managed and planned. Different criteria can be taken into account in order to efficiently utilize the given capacities. In particular, the specified bandwidths can be used to the maximum by reducing or preventing conflicts between different data transmission plans from multiple vehicles.

The data transmission between the track-bound vehicle and the land-based device is preferably carried out by means of a communication device which has a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. When data is transmitted from the track-bound vehicle to the land-based device, the transmitting unit is arranged on the track-bound vehicle and the receiving unit is arranged on the land side. In the case of a reverse data transmission starting from the land-based device to the track-bound vehicle, the transmitting unit is arranged on the land-side and the receiving unit on the track-bound vehicle. The transmitting unit and receiving unit of the track-bound vehicle or the land-based facility are each formed by a single transmitting-receiving unit. The transceiver unit of the track-bound vehicle can be controlled by a communication device of the vehicle, in particular a mobile communication gateway (MCG). Alternatively or additionally, the transceiver unit of the land-based device can be controlled by a communication device of the land-based device, in particular a ground communication gateway.

The track-bound vehicle is preferably a rail vehicle, for example a multiple unit.

The land-based facility preferably includes an operations control center. The operations control center further preferably manages several services, such as a camera monitoring system, a passenger information system and/or a maintenance system. These services are supported by the corresponding facilities of the respective track-bound vehicle. For example, each track-bound vehicle has a camera monitoring system that generates video data that represents optically captured areas within the track-bound vehicle. Furthermore, each track-bound vehicle has, for example, a passenger information system, for example a passenger entertainment system, which makes music and films available to passengers. Furthermore, each track-bound vehicle has, for example, a maintenance system which provides relevant information for the maintenance of the track-bound vehicle.

The person skilled in the art understands the phrase “between a plurality of track-bound vehicles and a land-side device” to mean that data can be transmitted both from one of the vehicles to the land side and from the land-side device to the vehicle. In other words: Both directions of data transmission are covered by the phrase “between a plurality of track-bound vehicles and a land-based facility”.

• - Videodaten, welche durch ein Kameraüberwachungssystem, insbesondere ein CCTV-System (CCTV: Closed-Circuit Television), des spurgebundenen Fahrzeugs erfasst wurden, auf dem Fahrzeug gespeichert sind und an die landseitige Einrichtung zu übertragen sind;
• - Filme und Musik für ein Fahrgastunterhaltungssystem, welche von der landseitigen Einrichtung an das spurgebundene Fahrzeug zu übertragen sind;
• - Software-Updates für Komponenten des spurgebundenen Fahrzeugs;
• - Fahrzeugdiagnose-Nachrichten, welche zur landseitigen Einrichtung hochzuladen sind.

Examples of data that need to be transmitted while the vehicle is within the range of the wireless local communications network are:

• - Video data that was captured by a camera surveillance system, in particular a CCTV system (CCTV: Closed-Circuit Television), of the track-bound vehicle, is stored on the vehicle and is to be transmitted to the land-based facility;
• - films and music for a passenger entertainment system to be transmitted from the land-based facility to the track-bound vehicle;
• - Software updates for tracked vehicle components;
• - Vehicle diagnostic messages to be uploaded to the shore facility.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the wireless local communication network is arranged within a depot facility which is intended for the stay of the plurality of track-bound vehicles. The location information includes the arrival time of the track-bound vehicle within the depot facility and the departure time of the track-bound vehicle from the depot facility.

The depot facility is, for example, a building and/or area for parking track-bound vehicles (often simply called a depot). When entering the depot facility, the track-bound vehicle comes within range of the wireless local communications network and connects to one of the access points of the wireless local communications network (association). The wireless local communications network is preferably designed in such a way that a vehicle that is located within the depot is at the same time within the range of the wireless local communications network. In other words: The wireless local communication network has a range across the entire depot or at least a range across a portion of the depot intended for data transmission.

The departure time is preferably an expected departure time of the track-bound vehicle from the depot facility.

The planning device can include a computing device as part of the depot device and/or a computing device close to the depot device. Likewise, the landside facility can be designed as part of the depot facility or close to the depot facility.

In a preferred development, the planning device is part of a land-based device arranged remotely from the depot device. This land-based facility preferably includes an operations control center.

Further preferably, the planning device serves to plan the data transmission within the depot device. Alternatively or additionally, the planning device can be designed to plan the data transmission for several depot devices that are present at different locations.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the request for data transmission is based on a vehicle-side request which originates from the at least one track-bound vehicle of the plurality of track-bound vehicles and/or on the basis of a request which comes from a service and/or an application originating from the shore-based facility.

Preferably, a data connection is established between the track-bound vehicle and the land-based device when the vehicle comes within range of the wireless local communications network. Further preferably, it is then checked which application or service requests data to be downloaded from the land-based device to the vehicle. Further preferably, it is also checked which information that is stored on the vehicle should be uploaded to the land-based facility.

Further preferably, a data connection is established between the track-bound vehicle and a wireless access point of the wireless local communications network (association) when the vehicle comes within the range of the wireless local communications network. Further preferably, a communication connection is then established between the track-bound vehicle and the land-based device. For example, this communication connection takes place via the World Wide Web (Internet).

As described above, the basis for establishing the communication connection between the track-bound vehicle and the land-based device is, for example, the establishment of a data connection between the track-bound vehicle and a wireless access point of the wireless local communication network. Alternatively or additionally, the establishment of the communication connection with the land-based device can be triggered by one of the wireless access points recognizing that a track-bound vehicle has arrived. Furthermore, the arrival of the track-bound vehicle can be determined via sensors at the depot facility.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the request is triggered by the respective track-bound vehicle when it comes into the range of the wireless local communication network. Data stored on the track-bound vehicle is intended for transmission to the land-based facility are determined. Furthermore, data provided by the land-based device, which is intended for transmission to a track-bound vehicle of the plurality of track-bound vehicles, is determined.

In a preferred development, the at least one track-bound vehicle of the plurality of track-bound vehicles sends vehicle identification information, which represents an identification of the track-bound vehicle, to the planning device.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one track-bound vehicle sends depot identification information and/or depot location information, which represents an identification of a depot device that contains the wireless local communications network, to the planning device.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one track-bound vehicle sends a data transmission list which contains the data to be transmitted as list entries, the type of service to which the data to be transmitted relate, the type of data to be transmitted, and the priority of the data to be transmitted for each list entry and/or contains the amount of data to be transmitted to the planning device.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one track-bound vehicle sends departure time information, which represents an expected point in time at which the track-bound vehicle leaves the range of the wireless local communication network, to the planning device.

Alternatively, the information mentioned can be sent to the planning device based on components of the land-based device.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the planning device determines the data capacity of the wireless local communications network by querying a database. For this purpose, for example, depot identification information is used, which represents an identification of the depot device that contains the wireless local communications network.

Alternatively or additionally, the planning device determines the data capacity of the wireless local communications network based on capacity information that represents a capacity of the wireless local communications network, which is determined by means of at least one track-bound vehicle of the plurality of track-bound vehicles by data-technical scanning of the wireless local communications network.

To do this, the planning device requests data technology that the track-bound vehicles scan the wireless local communication network for data technology and report back the result. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle can autonomously report the result of the scanning back to the planning device (without prior request by the planning device) if the scanning is carried out regularly when the vehicle tries to detect and connect to the access point, for example when entering into the depot facility.

• - für einen der WLAN-Zugangspunkte, mit dem das spurgebundene Fahrzeug verbunden ist: WLAN SSID (Service Set Identifier), WLAN BSSID (Mac-Adresse, BSSID: Basic Service Set Identifier), WLAN RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), Frequenzband, Kanal und unterstützte Rate;
• - für die benachbarten (nicht verbundenen) WLAN-Zugangspunkte: WLAN SSID, WLAN BSSID (Mac-Adresse), WLAN RSSI, Frequenzband, Kanal und unterstützte Rate.

For example, when executing the wireless communication network as a WLAN communication network, the following information is reported to the planning device as part of the result from the track-bound vehicle:

• - for one of the WLAN access points to which the tracked vehicle is connected: WLAN SSID (Service Set Identifier), WLAN BSSID (Mac Address, BSSID: Basic Service Set Identifier), WLAN RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), frequency band, channel and supported rate;
• - for the neighboring (unconnected) WiFi access points: WiFi SSID, WiFi BSSID (Mac address), WiFi RSSI, frequency band, channel and supported rate.

When executing the wireless local communications network as a WLAN communications network, the information mentioned can be obtained by decoding a WLAN beacon that is emitted by the WLAN access point.

• - die Anzahl der WLAN-Zugangspunkte, welche innerhalb der Depoteinrichtung vorhanden sind (durch Zählen der Anzahl unterschiedlicher WLAN BSSID);
• - die mögliche Funkinterferenz (falls unterschiedliche WLAN-Zugangspunkte nahe beieinanderliegende Kanäle oder gleiche Kanäle gemeinsam nutzen);
• - den maximalen Durchsatz, welcher pro WLAN-Zugangspunkt basierend auf den unterstützten Raten erreichbar ist und durch den jeweiligen WLAN-Zugangspunkt gemeldet wird;
• - den das jeweilige spurgebundene Fahrzeug am besten bedienende WLAN-Zugangspunkt gemäß WLAN RSSI (Abhängig von der Größe der Depoteinrichtung kann ein WLAN-Zugangspunkt nahe bei dem spurgebundenen Fahrzeug liegen und ein anderer WLAN-Zugangspunkt weit entfernt von dem spurgebundenen Fahrzeug liegen, sodass der am besten bedienende WLAN-Zugangspunkt für jedes Fahrzeug ein anderer sein kann.)

Based on this information, the planning facility preferably determines:

• - the number of WLAN access points present within the depot facility (by counting the number of different WLAN BSSIDs);
• - the possible radio interference (if different Wi-Fi access points share channels that are close to each other or share the same channels);
• - the maximum throughput that can be achieved per WLAN access point based on the supported rates and reported by the respective WLAN access point;
• - the WLAN access point that best serves the respective track-bound vehicle according to WLAN RSSI (Depending on the size of the depot facility, one WLAN access point may be close to the tracked vehicle and another WLAN access point may be far from the tracked vehicle, so the best serving WiFi access point may be different for each vehicle .)

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, an expected load on a radio environment within the wireless local communications network is also taken into account during planning.

For this purpose, it is preferably predicted what load the radio environment will be during the planned data transmission.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the type of data to be transmitted and/or a priority of the data to be transmitted is also taken into account during planning.

The person skilled in the art preferably understands the term “type” to mean the data type. This information is assigned, for example, as metadata to a file that contains the data. For example, in the metadata of the file it is noted as an attribute that this file contains diagnostic data, which therefore has a high level of criticality. In addition, in the metadata of another file it is noted as an attribute, for example, that this file contains data with the help of which billing data is generated in land-based systems, which therefore has a high level of criticality. Furthermore, in the metadata of another file it is noted as an attribute, for example, that this file contains occupancy information that has a low criticality. Finally, in the metadata of another file it is noted as an attribute, for example, that this file contains data for a convenience function that has a low criticality.

The priority of the data to be transmitted can result, for example, from the type of data to be transmitted.

• - eine Gesamtmenge der pro Fahrzeug zu übertragenden Daten und die Priorität der jeweiligen Datenübertragung;
• - ein Zeitfenster für die Durchführung der Datenübertragung pro Fahrzeug, bevor das Fahrzeug die Depoteinrichtung verlässt;
• - eine Übertragungskapazität (erreichbarer Datendurchsatz) für die WLAN-Zugangspunkte;
• - ein bevorzugter WLAN-Zugangspunkt für das jeweilige Fahrzeug, welcher die beste RSSI bietet.

Based on the method steps described above, the planning device preferably obtains the following information:

• - a total amount of data to be transmitted per vehicle and the priority of the respective data transmission;
• - a time window for carrying out the data transfer per vehicle before the vehicle leaves the depot facility;
• - a transmission capacity (achievable data throughput) for the WLAN access points;
• - a preferred WiFi access point for the respective vehicle that offers the best RSSI.

Using this information, the planning device preferably plans for each track-bound vehicle when the data transmission should be carried out and which WLAN access point the vehicle should connect to in order to carry out this data transmission.

For example, the planning device can ensure that a single track-bound vehicle transmits data via a specific WLAN access point at a given time. In this case, the vehicle can use the entire bandwidth of the WLAN access point. This maximizes radio bandwidth efficiency by eliminating the need for contention resolution or latency due to managing competing transmission requests.

Furthermore, the planning device can ensure that a data transmission with high priority is scheduled first in the planning. For example, data transmission for a track-bound vehicle that leaves the depot facility early is scheduled first. Another example is preferring the transmission of a software update or a timetable update over the transmission of a passenger entertainment system update.

This data transfer is preferably initiated on this basis and the data is transferred.

The planning device can preferably carry out load balancing. Accordingly, loads are distributed between all available WLAN access points, taking into account the respective transmission capacity of the respective WLAN access point (supported data rate) and the signal quality (WLAN RSSI) measured by the vehicles. The planning device can then instruct the respective track-bound vehicle to connect to another WLAN access point that offers better transmission capacity.

The data transmission is preferably reinitiated after load distribution and the data is transmitted, for example via the other WLAN access point.

It is also conceivable that a WLAN access point could be used for control signaling det will. Accordingly, all track-bound vehicles connect to this WLAN access point when they enter the depot facility in order to establish an initial connection with the land-based facility and communication with the planning facility via this WLAN access point. Other WLAN access points can be reserved for data transfers with large volumes and high speeds. Accordingly, there is no control signaling via the other WLAN access points in order to maximize radio bandwidth efficiency and reduce the overall transmission time for each vehicle.

As a further improvement, a data storage may be provided within or close to the depot facility in order to reduce the access time to content that is to be transmitted to or from the vehicle. For example, if a video collection for the passenger entertainment system is to be downloaded to all vehicles, a local copy of the video collection within this data store (within or close to the depot facility) would reduce latency and increase throughput when updating the vehicles.

The invention further relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computing device, cause it to carry out the method described above. The invention further relates to a computer program product with a computer program of this type. The computing device is preferably at least partially a computing device of the planning device.

The invention further relates to a provision device for the computer program of the type described above, wherein the provision device stores and/or provides the computer program. The provision device is, for example, a storage unit that stores and/or provides the computer program. Alternatively and/or additionally, the provision device is, for example, a network service, a computer system, a server system, in particular a distributed, for example cloud-based computer system and/or virtual computer system, which stores and/or provides the computer program product, preferably in the form of a data stream.

The provision takes place in the form of a program data block as a file, in particular as a download file, or as a data stream, in particular as a download data stream, of the computer program. This provision can also be made, for example, as a partial download consisting of several parts. Such a computer program is read into a system using the provision device, for example, so that the method according to the invention is carried out on a computer.

The planning device according to the invention is set up to plan the data transmission. The planning device comprises a computing device which is set up to take into account a requirement for data transmission between at least one track-bound vehicle of the plurality of track-bound vehicles and the land-based device when planning. The computing device is also set up to take the data capacity of the wireless local communications network into account when planning. The computing device is also set up to take into account location information, which represents the period of stay of one of the plurality of track-bound vehicles within the range of the wireless local communication network, when planning.

The communication system according to the invention comprises a plurality of track-bound vehicles, a planning device of the type described above and a wireless local communication network. The wireless communication network is set up for the transmission of data while the at least one vehicle is within the range of the wireless local communication network depending on the planning.

For advantages, embodiments and implementation details of the features of the computer program according to the invention, the provision device according to the invention, the planning device according to the invention and the communication system according to the invention, reference can be made to the above description of the corresponding features of the method according to the invention.

• 1 schematisch den Aufbau eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Kommunikationssystems mit einer Mehrzahl von Fahrzeugen, einem drahtlosen lokalen Kommunikationsnetz und einer landseitigen Einrichtung,
• 2 schematisch den Ablauf eines Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens und
• 3 schematisch die datentechnische Interaktion der Elemente des Kommunikationssystems

Embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to the drawings. Show it:

• 1 schematically shows the structure of an exemplary embodiment of a communication system according to the invention with a plurality of vehicles, a wireless local communication network and a land-based device,
• 2 schematically the sequence of an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention and
• 3 schematically the data technology interaction of the elements of the communication system

1 shows schematically the structure of an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 1 according to the invention, which includes several track-bound vehicles 3 and 5, a wireless local communication network 7 and a land-based device 13.

The track-bound vehicles 3 and 5 are rail vehicles 4 and 6. In the in 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, two track-bound vehicles 3 and 5 are shown. However, the invention can be used analogously for a constellation with more than two vehicles.

The track-bound vehicles 3 and 5 each have a mobile communication gateway 41 (MCG: Mobile Communication Gateway) and a transceiver unit 43 as a wireless communication interface. The transceiver unit 43 is controlled, for example, by the mobile communication gateway 41.

The wireless local communications network 7 has several WLAN access points 8, 10, 12. In the in 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, three WLAN access points are shown. However, the invention can be used analogously for a constellation with more than three WLAN access points.

• - ein Kameraüberwachungssystem 32, welches Videodaten erzeugt, die optisch erfasste Bereiche innerhalb des spurgebundenen Fahrzeug 3 bzw. 5 repräsentieren,
• - ein Fahrgastinformationssystem 34, beispielsweise ein Fahrgastunterhaltungssystem, welches den Fahrgästen Musik und Filme zu Verfügung stellt, und/oder
• - ein Instandhaltungssystem 36, welches für die Instandhaltung des spurgebundenen Fahrzeugs relevante Informationen zur Verfügung stellt,

auf.The landside device 13 includes a planning device 20 and an operations control center 22, by means of which several services, such as a camera monitoring system, a passenger information system and/or a maintenance system, are managed. These services are supported by the corresponding facilities of the respective track-bound vehicle. For example, each track-bound vehicle has 3 and 5

• - a camera monitoring system 32, which generates video data that represents optically captured areas within the track-bound vehicle 3 or 5,
• - a passenger information system 34, for example a passenger entertainment system, which provides music and films to passengers, and/or
• - a maintenance system 36, which provides relevant information for the maintenance of the track-bound vehicle,

on.

2 shows the sequence of the method according to the invention in a schematic flow diagram. 3 shows schematically the data technology interaction of the elements of the communication system 1 according to the invention when carrying out the method according to the invention.

The planning device 20 has a computing device 21 which is set up to execute a computer program. When the computer program is executed by the computing device 21, it is caused to carry out at least parts of the method according to the invention.

In a method step A1, the track-bound vehicle 3 enters a depot area, which is formed by a depot device 37, at an arrival time TAN1. The depot facility 37 is, for example, a building and/or area (depot) for parking the vehicles 3 and 5. When entering, the track-bound vehicle 3 comes within the range of the wireless local communication network 7 and connects to the WLAN access point in a method step B1 8 (this connection is often technically called an association).

In a method step A2, the track-bound vehicle 5 enters the depot area at an arrival time TAN2. The track-bound vehicle 5 comes into the range of the wireless local communication network 7 and connects to the WLAN access point 10 in a method step B2.

In a method step C1, a communication connection is established between the track-bound vehicle 3 and the land-based device 13. For example, this communication connection takes place via the World Wide Web 39 (Internet). Based on this communication connection, it is determined in a method step D1 which application or service requires data to be downloaded from the land-based device 13 to the vehicle 3. In particular, this determination is triggered by a request from the service or application originating from the land-based facility 13. In a method step E1, it is further determined which information stored on the track-bound vehicle 3 should be uploaded to the land-based device 13. In particular, this is triggered by a vehicle-side demand that comes from the track-bound vehicle.

The method steps C1, D1 and E1 are carried out analogously for the track-bound vehicle 5 as method steps C2, D2 and E2.

• - Videodaten, welche durch ein Videoüberwachungssystem, insbesondere ein CCTV-System (CCTV: Closed-Circuit Television), des spurgebundenen Fahrzeugs 3 bzw. 5 erfasst wurden, auf dem Fahrzeug gespeichert sind und an die landseitige Einrichtung 13 zu übertragen sind;
• - Filme und Musik für ein Fahrgastunterhaltungssystem, welche von der landseitigen Einrichtung 13 an das spurgebundene Fahrzeug 3 bzw. 5 zu übertragen sind;
• - Software-Updates für Komponenten des spurgebundenen Fahrzeugs 3 bzw. 5;
• - Fahrzeugdiagnose-Nachrichten, welche zur landseitigen Einrichtung 13 hochzuladen sind.

Data that are to be transmitted during the stay of the vehicle 3 or 5 within the depot facility 37 and thus within the range of the wireless local communication network 7 are, for example:

• - Video data, which was recorded by a video surveillance system, in particular a CCTV system (CCTV: Closed-Circuit Television), of the track-bound vehicle 3 or 5, is stored on the vehicle and is to be transmitted to the land-based device 13;
• - Films and music for a passenger entertainment system, which are to be transmitted from the land-based device 13 to the track-bound vehicle 3 and 5, respectively;
• - Software updates for components of the track-bound vehicle 3 and 5;
• - Vehicle diagnostic messages to be uploaded to the landside facility 13.

• - eine Fahrzeugidentifikationsinformation, welche eine Identifikation des spurgebundenen Fahrzeugs 3 bzw. 5 repräsentiert,
• - eine Depotidentifikationsinformation und/oder eine Depotortsinformation, welche eine Identifikation der Depoteinrichtung 37, die das drahtlose lokale Kommunikationsnetz 7 enthält, repräsentiert,
• - eine Datenübertragungsliste, welche als Listeneinträge die zu übertragenden Daten enthält, wobei für jeden Listeneintrag
  • ◯ die Art des Dienstes, den die zu übertragenden Daten betreffen,
  • ◯ die Art der zu übertragenden Daten,
  • ◯ die Priorität der zu übertragenden Daten und/oder
  • ◯ die Datenmenge der zu übertragenden Daten, enthält, und/oder
• - eine Abfahrtszeit TAB1 bzw. TAB2, welche einen erwarteten Zeitpunkt, an dem das spurgebundene Fahrzeug 3 bzw. 5 die Depoteinrichtung 37 und damit die Reichweite des drahtlosen lokalen Kommunikationsnetzwerks 7 verlässt, repräsentiert.

After it has been determined which data is to be transmitted, the track-bound vehicle 3 or 5 sends the following information to the planning device 20 in a method step F1 or F2:

• - vehicle identification information, which represents an identification of the track-bound vehicle 3 or 5,
• - depot identification information and/or depot location information, which represents an identification of the depot device 37, which contains the wireless local communications network 7,
• - a data transfer list, which contains the data to be transferred as list entries, for each list entry
  • ◯ the type of service to which the data to be transferred relates,
  • ◯ the type of data to be transferred,
  • ◯ the priority of the data to be transferred and/or
  • ◯ the amount of data to be transferred, contains, and/or
• - a departure time TAB1 or TAB2, which represents an expected time at which the track-bound vehicle 3 or 5 leaves the depot facility 37 and thus the range of the wireless local communication network 7.

Alternatively or additionally, this or similar information can be provided to the planning device 20 by means of components of the land-based device 13 when this requests or triggers the transmission of data to or from the track-bound vehicle 3 or 5.

• Dazu fragt die Planungseinrichtung 20 in einem Verfahrensschritt G datentechnisch an, dass die spurgebundenen Fahrzeuge 3 und 5 das drahtlose lokale Kommunikationsnetz 7 in einem Verfahrensschritt H datentechnisch abtasten und das Ergebnis in einem Verfahrensschritt J rückmelden. Alternativ oder zusätzlich kann das Fahrzeug das Ergebnis des Abtastens autonom an die Planungseinrichtung 20 (d.h. ohne vorherige Anfrage durch die Planungseinrichtung 20) rückmelden, beispielsweise wenn das Abtasten regelmäßig dann durchgeführt wird, wenn das Fahrzeug versucht, den WLAN-Zugangspunkt 8 zu detektieren und sich damit zu verbinden, beispielsweise bei Einfahrt in die Depoteinrichtung 37.

It is conceivable that the planning device 20 obtains knowledge of the capacity of the wireless local communications network 7, for example via a database query using the depot identification information. Alternatively or additionally, in the present exemplary embodiment, the planning device 20 determines the capacity of the wireless local communications network 7 based on capacity information that represents a capacity of the wireless local communications network 7. This capacity information is determined in a method step H using the track-bound vehicles 3 and 5 by data scanning of the wireless local communication network 7:

• For this purpose, the planning device 20 requests data in a method step G that the track-bound vehicles 3 and 5 scan the wireless local communication network 7 in a method step H and report the result back in a method step J. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle can autonomously report the result of the scanning to the planning device 20 (ie without a prior request by the planning device 20), for example if the scanning is carried out regularly when the vehicle tries to detect the WLAN access point 8 and itself to connect with it, for example when entering the depot facility 37.

• - für den WLAN-Zugangspunkt 8, mit dem das spurgebundene Fahrzeug 3 verbunden ist: WLAN SSID (Service Set Identifier), WLAN BSSID (Mac-Adresse, BSSID: Basic Service Set Identifier), WLAN RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), Frequenzband, Kanal und unterstützte Rate;
• - für die benachbarten (nicht verbundenen) WLAN-Zugangspunkte 10 und 12: WLAN SSID, WLAN BSSID (Mac-Adresse), WLAN RSSI, Frequenzband, Kanal und unterstützte Rate.

The following information is, for example, reported as part of the result from the track-bound vehicle 3 to the planning device 20 in a method step J1:

• - for the WLAN access point 8 to which the track-bound vehicle 3 is connected: WLAN SSID (Service Set Identifier), WLAN BSSID (Mac address, BSSID: Basic Service Set Identifier), WLAN RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), frequency band , channel and supported rate;
• - for neighboring (unconnected) WiFi access points 10 and 12: WiFi SSID, WiFi BSSID (Mac address), WiFi RSSI, frequency band, channel and supported rate.

Corresponding information is reported by the track-bound vehicle 5 to the planning device 20 in a method step J2.

• - die Anzahl der WLAN-Zugangspunkte, welche innerhalb der Depoteinrichtung 37 vorhanden sind (durch Zählen der Anzahl unterschiedlicher WLAN BSSID);
• - die mögliche Funkinterferenz (falls unterschiedliche WLAN-Zugangspunkte nahe beieinanderliegende Kanäle oder gleiche Kanäle gemeinsam nutzen);
• - den maximalen Durchsatz, welcher pro WLAN-Zugangspunkt basierend auf den unterstützten Raten erreichbar ist und durch den jeweiligen WLAN-Zugangspunkt 8, 10, 12 gemeldet wird;
• - den das jeweilige spurgebundene Fahrzeug 3 oder 5 am besten bedienende WLAN-Zugangspunkt 8, 10, 12 gemäß WLAN RSSI (Abhängig von der Größe der Depoteinrichtung 37 kann ein WLAN-Zugangspunkt nahe bei dem spurgebundenen Fahrzeug liegen und ein anderer WLAN-Zugangspunkt weit entfernt von dem spurgebundenen Fahrzeug liegen, sodass der am besten bedienende WLAN-Zugangspunkt für jedes Fahrzeug ein anderer sein kann.)

Based on this information, the planning device 20 determines in a method step K:

• - The number of WLAN access points that are present within the depot facility 37 are (by counting the number of different WLAN BSSIDs);
• - the possible radio interference (if different Wi-Fi access points share channels that are close to each other or share the same channels);
• - the maximum throughput that can be achieved per WLAN access point based on the supported rates and is reported by the respective WLAN access point 8, 10, 12;
• - the WLAN access point 8, 10, 12 that best serves the respective track-bound vehicle 3 or 5 according to WLAN RSSI (depending on the size of the depot facility 37, a WLAN access point can be close to the track-bound vehicle and another WLAN access point can be far away from the tracked vehicle, so the best-serving Wi-Fi access point may be different for each vehicle.)

• - eine Gesamtmenge der pro Fahrzeug zu übertragenden Daten und die Priorität der jeweiligen Datenübertragung;
• - ein Zeitfenster für die Durchführung der Datenübertragung pro Fahrzeug, bevor das Fahrzeug die Depoteinrichtung 37 verlässt;
• - eine Übertragungskapazität (erreichbarer Datendurchsatz) für die WLAN-Zugangspunkte;
• - ein bevorzugter WLAN-Zugangspunkt für das jeweilige Fahrzeug, welcher die beste RSSI bietet.

Based on the method steps described above, the planning device obtains the following information in a method step L:

• - a total amount of data to be transmitted per vehicle and the priority of the respective data transmission;
• - a time window for carrying out the data transmission per vehicle before the vehicle leaves the depot facility 37;
• - a transmission capacity (achievable data throughput) for the WLAN access points;
• - a preferred WiFi access point for the respective vehicle that offers the best RSSI.

Using this information, the planning device 20 plans in a method step M for each track-bound vehicle 3, 5 when the data transmission should be carried out and with which WLAN access point 8, 10, 12 the track-bound vehicle 3 or 5 should connect in order to do this To carry out data transfer.

For example, the planning device 20 can ensure that a single track-bound vehicle 3 or 5 transmits data via a specific WLAN access point 8, 10 or 12 at a given time. In this case, the track-bound vehicle 3 or 5 can use the entire bandwidth of the WLAN access point 8, 10 or 12. This maximizes radio bandwidth efficiency by eliminating the need for contention resolution or latency due to managing competing transmission requests.

Furthermore, the planning device 20 can ensure that a data transmission with high priority is scheduled first in the planning. For example, the data transmission for a track-bound vehicle that leaves the depot facility 37 early is scheduled first. Another example is preferring the transmission of a software update or a timetable update over the transmission of a passenger entertainment system update.

This data transfer is initiated in a method step N and the data is transmitted in a method step O.

• - Forderungen zur Datenübertragung,
• - die Kapazität des drahtlosen lokalen Kommunikationsnetzes 7,
• - eine Aufenthaltsinformation, welche den Aufenthaltszeitraum der spurgebundenen Fahrzeuge 3 und 5 innerhalb der Reichweite des drahtlosen lokalen Kommunikationsnetzes 7 repräsentiert,
• - eine erwartete Funkumgebung,
• - die Art der zu übertragenden Daten und eine Priorität der zu übertragenden Daten

berücksichtigt.In other words: M will be the case when planning

• - Data transfer requirements,
• - the capacity of the wireless local communications network 7,
• - a location information which represents the period of stay of the track-bound vehicles 3 and 5 within the range of the wireless local communication network 7,
• - an expected radio environment,
• - the type of data to be transmitted and a priority of the data to be transmitted

taken into account.

The planning device 20 can carry out load balancing in a method step P. Accordingly, loads are distributed between all available WLAN access points 8, 10 and 12, taking into account the respective transmission capacity of the respective WLAN access point (supported data rate) and the signal quality (WLAN RSSI), which are measured by vehicles 3 and 5. The planning device 20 can then instruct the respective track-bound vehicle to connect to another WLAN access point that offers better transmission capacity.

The data transmission is re-initiated in a method step Q after the load distribution P. In a method step R, a connection is established with the other WLAN access point (association) and the data is transmitted in a method step S, for example via the other WLAN access point.

It is also conceivable that a WLAN access point is used for control signaling. Accordingly, all track-bound vehicles connect to this WLAN access point when they enter the depot facility 37 have retracted in order to carry out an initial connection with the land-based device 13 and a communication with the planning device 20 via this WLAN access point. Other WLAN access points can be reserved for data transfers with large volumes and high speeds. Accordingly, there is no control signaling via the other WLAN access points in order to maximize the radio bandwidth efficiency and reduce the overall transmission time for the vehicles.

As a further improvement, a data storage may be provided within or close to the depot device 37 to reduce the access time to content to be transferred to or from the vehicle. For example, if a video collection for the passenger entertainment system is to be downloaded to all vehicles, a local copy of the video collection within that data store (within or near the depot facility 37) would reduce latency and increase throughput when updating the vehicles.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the planning device 20 is part of the land-based device 13, which includes an operations control center 22. Alternatively or additionally, the planning device 20 can be part of a computing device installed within the depot device 37.

The domain name or the IP address of the planning device 20 can be provided on the track-bound vehicle 3 or 5 or can be communicated to the track-bound vehicle from the land-based device.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2029412 B1 [0003]

Claims (13)

Method for controlling a transmission of data between a plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) and a land-based device (13) via a wireless local communications network (7), in which - the data transmission is planned (M) by means of a land-based planning device (20), - when planning (M) o a request for data transmission between at least one track-bound vehicle (3, 5) of the plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) and the land-based device (13), o a data capacity of the wireless local communications network (7) and o location information, which represents the period of stay of at least one track-bound vehicle (3, 5) of the plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) within the range of the wireless local communication network (7), is taken into account, and - the data via the wireless local communication network (7) during a stay of the at least one track-bound vehicle (3, 5) of the plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) within the range of the wireless local communication network (7) depending on the planning (M ) are transferred (0). Procedure according to Claim 1 , in which the wireless local communication network (7) is arranged within a depot facility (37), which is intended for the stay of the plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5), and the location information is the arrival time (TAN1, TAN2) of the track-bound vehicle ( 3, 5) within the depot facility (37) and departure time of the track-bound vehicle (3, 5) from the depot facility (37). Procedure according to Claim 2 , in which the planning device (20) is part of a land-side device (13) arranged remotely from the depot device (37). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the requirement for data transfer based - a vehicle-side request, which originates from the at least one track-bound vehicle (3, 5) of the plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5), and/or - a land-based request which originates from a service and/or an application of the land-based facility (13), is determined (D1, D2, E1, E2). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which - the request is triggered by the respective track-bound vehicle (3, 5) when it comes into the range of the wireless local communication network (7), and o Data stored on the track-bound vehicle (3, 5), which is intended for transmission to the land-based device (13), is determined (E1, E2) and o Data provided by the land-based device, which is intended for transmission to a track-bound vehicle (3, 5) of the plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5), is determined (D1, D2). Procedure according to Claim 5 , in which the at least one track-bound vehicle (3, 5) of the plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) - vehicle identification information, which represents an identification of the track-bound vehicle (3, 5), - depot identification information and / or depot location information, which represents an identification of a depot device (37) which contains the wireless local communications network (7), - a data transmission list which contains the data to be transmitted as list entries, whereby for each list entry o the type of service to which the data to be transmitted relates, o the type of data to be transmitted, o the priority of the data to be transmitted and/or o the data quantity of the data to be transmitted, and/or - departure time information which contains an expected point in time at which the at least one track-bound vehicle (3, 5) leaves the range of the wireless local communication network (7), represents, sends (F1, F2) to the planning device (20). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the planning device (20) determines the data capacity of the wireless local communications network (7) - by querying a database and/or - based on capacity information which determines a capacity of the wireless local communications network (7). represent, which are determined by means of at least one track-bound vehicle (3, 5) of the plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) by data scanning of the wireless local communication network (7). (H), determined. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which when planning (M) further - an expected load on a radio environment within the wireless local communications network (7) is taken into account. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which when planning (M) further - the type of data to be transferred and/or - a priority of the data to be transmitted is taken into account. Computer program, comprising commands which, when the program is executed by a computing device (21), cause it to carry out the method according to at least one of the Claims 1 until 9 to carry out. Provision device for the computer program Claim 10 , wherein the providing device stores and/or provides the computer program. Planning device for controlling a transmission of data between a plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) and a land-based device (13) via a wireless local communication network (7), the planning device (20) being set up to plan the data transmission, comprising: - a computing device (21), which is set up, o a request for data transmission between at least one track-bound vehicle (3, 5) of the plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) and the land-based device (13), o a data capacity of the wireless local communications network (7) and o a stay information, which represents the stay period of one of the plurality of track-bound vehicles within the range of the wireless local communication network (7), to be taken into account when planning (M). Communication system for controlling a transmission of data between a plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5) and a land-based device (13) via a wireless local communication network (7), comprising: - a plurality of track-bound vehicles (3, 5), - a Planning facility according to Claim 12 , - a wireless local communication network (7), which is set up for the transmission of data during a stay of the at least one track-bound vehicle (3, 5) within the range of the wireless local communication network (7) depending on the planning (M).

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