EP3778349B1 - Vehicle influencing system, route control centre and operating method for a vehicle influencing system - Google Patents

Description

A vehicle control system is specified. In addition, a route control center and an operating procedure for a vehicle control system are specified.

The publication DE 10 2017 217 447 A1 relates to a method for carrying out driving operations of track-guided vehicles in a route network divided into route areas.

The DE 10 2006 014 326 A1 describes a system and method for radio-based information exchange between roadside devices and vehicles moving along a route. The DE 10 2017 221 555 A1 relates to a method for communication-based vehicle influencing.

One task to be solved is to specify a vehicle control system with which a route with a radio network can be operated efficiently.

This task is achieved by a vehicle control system with the features of claim 1, a route control center according to claim 7 and an operating method according to claim 8. Preferred further training is the subject of the remaining claims. In one embodiment, the vehicle control system comprises a route for vehicles to be influenced, wherein the route is preferably a railway line and the vehicles are trains. Several radio cells cover the route. A control center, for example an MSC, is intended for controlling and/or monitoring and/or managing the radio cells. A route control center, for example an RBC, is set up to receive vehicle data from the vehicles to be influenced and to generate and send control signals to the vehicles to be influenced. A data channel between the control center and the route control center enables the control center to send status messages via a The status of the radio cells is preferably automatically reported to the route control center. In the same way, the route control center, in particular when switching on or initializing, can be set up to retrieve the status messages about the state of the radio cells via the data channel at the control center.

Up to now, the operators of a radio infrastructure that has radio cells along a railway line have had to take action themselves when faults are reported. This means that the operators must inform the route center that there are radio holes. Radio holes must be activated in the route control center, which means that the route control center receives a message “Radio cell XY is inactive”, equivalent to “There is a radio hole in XY”. Such dead spots may even have to be entered and/or defined by the operator and then activated.

In this case, the operators of the radio infrastructure may only investigate the available radio infrastructure when a corresponding malfunction message comes from the vehicles on the route, i.e. when there is already an operational malfunction with corresponding restrictions.

With the connection of the control center for the radio cells to the route control center described here, the status reports of the radio infrastructure in the route control center can directly activate and deactivate radio holes. The control center is preferably a switching center of a mobile network, known as a mobile services switching center or MSC for short. The route center is preferably an ETCS route center, or Radio Block Center or RBC for short. In particular, the MSC itself or its diagnostic device transmits the status message to the RBC directly or via a coupling computer.

The individual radio cells can be stored during the planning of the route control center, i.e. the RBC or suitable restrictions for a radio cell are stored in a database so that radio holes can be automatically entered and activated and deactivated based on the status reports.

With the vehicle control system described here, faster reactions to failures and troubleshooting (i.e. elimination of failures) of radio cells are possible, especially before negative operational effects occur. In addition, the burden on operating personnel is reduced, as radio holes can be activated and deactivated fully automatically. There is also the possibility of evaluating the availability and quality of the mobile communications infrastructure used.

According to the invention, the vehicle control system described here is an ETCS (ETCS: European Train Control System). Another possibility is that the vehicle control system described here can be used to influence a large number of transport vehicles, for example in a logistics center or at a large landfill.

The radio cells are based, for example, on the Global System for Mobile Communications - Rail standard, or GSM-R for short, which is a digital mobile radio system that is based on the GSM mobile radio standard but has been expanded for use on railways. In addition, communication can take place using the CS (Circuit Switched, also known as CSD for Circuit Switched Data) or PS (Packet Switching, also known as General Packet Radio Service, GPRS for short) protocols. Alternatively or in combination, the radio cells can be based on the UMTS (3G), LTE (3.9G), LTEA (4G) and/or 5G standards.

According to at least one embodiment of the vehicle control system or the embodiment of the vehicle control system described above, the data channel for the status reports of the radio cells is composed of several components. For example, the data channel includes a data input interface, a data output interface, a wired data line, a radio connection and/or a coupling computer. Alternatively, the data channel is formed as a single component. The data channel can be a direct, preferably wired data line from the control center, in particular an MSC, to the route control center, in particular an RBC. In this context, “direct” means that there is no possibility of intervention on the data channel, but “direct” does not exclude that the data channel includes data-forwarding components such as routers, switches, amplifiers and/or data relays.

According to the invention, the vehicles to be influenced are rail vehicles. The vehicles are passenger trains and/or freight trains. The associated route is therefore a rail network or part of a rail network that can preferably be used by several of the vehicles at the same time.

According to the invention, the data channel is an exclusively digital communication path between the control center and the route control center. This means that no human intervention is necessary when transmitting the status reports.

According to at least one embodiment of the vehicle control system or the embodiments of the vehicle control system described above, the data channel comprises one or more coupling computers. The at least one coupling computer In terms of data technology, it lies between the control center and the route headquarters. For example, the coupling computer is used to decouple the control center from the route control center in terms of safety technology and/or to combine several different control centers in terms of information technology for a specific route control center or to divide the data from a specific control center across several route control centers. Furthermore, it is possible for the coupling computer to enable access to the status messages and/or the possibility of intervention by operating personnel, although as a rule no such intervention is necessary.

According to the invention, the route control center is set up for bidirectional communication with the control center. This means that the route center can send data to the control center and vice versa. This allows the route control center to check in particular whether the control center is still functioning and/or can actively request status reports.

According to at least one embodiment of the vehicle control system or the embodiments of the vehicle control system described above, in addition to the data channel for the status messages, a separate transmit/receive channel for the vehicle data and for the control signals is present. This means that the vehicle data and control signals on the one hand and the status messages on the other hand do not need to go through the same communication path between the route center and the control center. In particular, it is possible that the control center is not integrated into the transmit/receive channel. The data channel and the transmit/receive channel can therefore be designed partially or completely differently from one another.

Alternatively, the send/receive channel is the same as the data channel, at least up to the control center.

According to at least one embodiment of the vehicle control system or the embodiments of the vehicle control system described above, a geography of the radio cells and the route is stored in the route center, so that if a specific radio cell fails, a defined radio hole is recognized by the route center using the status message. Furthermore, the route control center is set up to automatically take the dead zone into account when generating the control signals.

For example, the route control center then knows when and where a train enters a dead zone and how long the train is expected to stay in the dead zone. Correspondingly, for example, signals on the route can be controlled before and/or after the dead zone, in particular in order to adjust the distance between successive trains to one another, so that the route can be traveled safely despite the dead zone. In addition, a route center for a vehicle control system, as described above, is specified. Features of the route control center are therefore also disclosed for the vehicle control system and vice versa.

According to the invention, the route control center is provided for a vehicle control system. The route control center is an ETCS route control center and includes one or more data input interfaces for the status messages from the control center.

In addition, an operating method for a vehicle control system and for a route control center as described above is given. Features of the operating method are therefore also disclosed for the vehicle control system and for the route control center and vice versa.

According to the invention, a vehicle control system is operated using the operating method. The control center automatically receives and/or generates the status messages about the status of the radio cells and forwards them this is automatically, directly or indirectly, passed on to the route control center. The route control center automatically takes the received status messages into account, so that interference and interference suppression in the radio cells are taken into account by the route control center when processing the vehicle data and generating the control signals without human intervention.

die Figuren 1 und 2

schematische Darstellungen von Strecken mit Funkzellen für hier beschriebene Fahrzeugbeeinflussungssysteme zeigen, und

die Figuren 3 bis 6

schematische Blockdiagramme von hier beschriebenen Fahrzeugbeeinflussungssystemen, die mit einem hier beschriebenen Verfahren betrieben werden, zeigen.

The above-mentioned properties, features and advantages of the invention and the manner in which these are achieved are further explained by the following description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the corresponding figures, where

Figures 1 and 2

show schematic representations of routes with radio cells for vehicle control systems described here, and

Figures 3 to 6

show schematic block diagrams of vehicle control systems described here, which are operated with a method described here.

In Figure 1 a route 2 is shown, which is operated with a vehicle control system 1 and on which at least one vehicle 3 moves. Route 2 is a railway line and vehicle 3 is a train. The route 2 is covered by several radio cells 4.

In Figure 2 is illustrated that one of the radio cells 4 is defective, resulting in a radio hole 10. The dead zone 10 is in Figure 2 symbolized as a hatched area. The at least one vehicle 3 is therefore temporarily in an area without radio access, so that problems can arise when the route 2 is operated using an ETCS.

The vehicle control system 1 is in Figure 3 explained schematically. One receives via a transmit/receive channel 72 Route control center 6 usually continuously receives vehicle data 92 from the at least one vehicle 3 to be influenced on the route 2 and equally sends control signals 93 to the at least one vehicle 3. The route control center 6 is particularly preferably a radio block center, RBC for short.

For communication with the at least one vehicle 3, the radio cells 4 are generated with the help of base stations 40. The base stations 40 are preferably base transceiver stations, or BTS for short, of a GSM-R mobile radio network. The base stations 40 are connected to at least one control center 5. The at least one switching center 5 is in particular a mobile services switching center, MSC for short.

The control center 5 is connected to the route control center 6 via a preferably bidirectional data channel 71. Status messages 91 about a state of the radio cells 4 or the base stations 40 are transmitted from the control center 5 directly or indirectly to the route control center 6 via the data channel 71. The route control center 6 takes the status messages 91 into account when generating and sending the control signals 93. Major disruptions to driving operations can therefore be avoided, even if one of the radio cells 4 and thus one of the base stations 40 shows a defect. The status messages 91 are sent, received and processed automatically without the need for operating personnel to intervene.

The data channel 71 can differ from the transmit/receive channel 72. Alternatively, the transmit/receive channel 72 can use the same telecommunications infrastructure as the data channel 71 up to the control center 5. The data channel 71 preferably ends at the control center 5 and/or at the base stations 40.

In the Figures 4 and 5 the operating procedure of the vehicle control system 1 is illustrated in a very simplified manner. According to Figure 4 all base stations 40 are functioning and therefore all radio cells, not shown. In contrast, in Figure 5 one of the base stations 40 and thus one of the radio cells failed. This is recorded by the control center 5 itself or by a diagnostic device in the control center 5.

As a result, the status message 71 is sent to the route control center 6 by the control center 5 itself or by a diagnostic device, not shown. With the status message 71, a "radio hole" state is automatically activated in the route control center 6 for the radio cell in question as a sign of its defect. The route control center 6 automatically takes this dead zone into account when generating the control signals 93 and when waiting for vehicle data 92 from at least one vehicle 3.

In the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle control system 1 Figure 6 The base stations 40 are optionally connected to a base station control device 45, known as Base Station Controller or BSC for short. In terms of data technology, the base station control device 45 is located between the base stations 40 and the control center 5.

In addition, there is optionally a switching computer 8 in the data channel 71. The transmitting/receiving channel 72 is led past the switching computer 8. For example, the coupling computer allows 8 operating personnel to access the status messages 91.

• Der Datenkanal 71 ist zum Beispiel mittels Ethernet realisiert, wobei eine Sicherungsübertragungsebene vorhanden sein kann.
• Die Statusmeldungen 91 enthalten einen eindeutigen Identifikator für die Funkzellen 4, zum Beispiel einen Namen und/oder eine Nummer. Es können auch Identifikatoren für Gruppen von Funkzellen 4, etwa für Bereiche eines BSC, verwendet werden.
• Die Statusmeldungen 91 sind freilaufende Meldungen von der Schaltzentrale 5 an die Streckenzentrale 6. Das Gleiche gilt für Anfragen von Statusmeldungen 91 von der Streckenzentrale 6 zur Schaltzentrale 5.

A communication or a transfer protocol between the route center 6 and the control center 5 preferably fulfills the following aspects, individually or in combination:

• The data channel 71 is implemented, for example, using Ethernet, whereby a security transmission level can be present.
• The status messages 91 contain a unique identifier for the radio cells 4, for example a name and/or a number. Identifiers for groups of radio cells 4, for example for areas of a BSC, can also be used.
• The status messages 91 are free-flowing messages from the control center 5 to the route control center 6. The same applies to requests for status messages 91 from the route control center 6 to the control center 5.

The invention was illustrated and described in detail using exemplary embodiments. Further variations of the invention may be obtained by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claimed invention as defined in the claims.

Reference symbol list

1

Vehicle control system

2

Route

3

vehicle

4

radio cell

40

Base station (BTS) of a radio cell

45

Base Station Controller (BSC)

5

Control center (MSC)

6

Route control center (RBC)

69

Data input interface for status messages

71

Data channel for status reports

72

Transmit/receive channel for vehicle data and control signals

8th

Coupling computer

91

Status message about the status of a radio cell

92

Vehicle data from a vehicle to be influenced

93

Control signals to a vehicle to be influenced

10

Dead spot

Claims (8)

1. Vehicle influencing system (1) with

   - a route (2) for vehicles (3) to be influenced,

   - a plurality of radio cells (4), which cover the route (2),

   - a switching control centre (5) for the radio cells (4),

   - a route control centre (6), which is configured to obtain vehicle data (92) from the vehicles (3) to be influenced and to transmit control signals (93) to the vehicles (3) to be influenced, and

   - a data channel (71) between the switching control centre (5) and the route control centre (6),

   wherein the switching control centre (5) is configured to report status messages (91) regarding a status of the radio cells (4) via the data channel (71) to the route control centre (6),

   wherein the route control centre (6) is configured to automatically receive and process the status messages (91), and

   is configured to automatically take into consideration the received status messages (91), so that interference of the radio cells (4) is factored in by the route control centre (6) without human intervention when the vehicle data (92) is processed and when the control signals (93) are generated, and wherein

   - the route (2) is a rail route and the vehicles (3) to be influenced are rail vehicles,

   - the switching control centre (5) is an exchange between a mobile radio network and the radio cells (4),

   - the route control centre (6) is an ETCS radio block centre, and

   - the data channel (71) is a direct or indirect, exclusively digital communication path between the switching control centre (5) and the route control centre (6) and wherein the route control centre (6) is configured for bidirectional communication with the switching control centre (5).
2. Vehicle influencing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the data channel (71) is a wired or wireless direct digital data connection between the switching control centre (5) and the route control centre (6), so that the switching control centre (5) is configured to report the status messages (91) directly to the route control centre (6) and/or the route control centre (6) is configured to request or retrieve the status messages (91) directly from the switching control centre (5).
3. Vehicle influencing system (1) according to claim 1, wherein

   - the data channel (71) comprises at least one coupling computer (8),

   - the coupling computer (8) lies in the data channel (71) between the switching control centre (5) and the route control centre (6) from a data perspective, and

   - the coupling computer (8) is configured for direct communication with the route control centre (6), so that the switching control centre (5) is configured to report the status messages (91) to the route control centre (6) indirectly via the coupling computer (8).
4. Vehicle influencing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims,

   wherein in addition to the data channel (71), a separate transmit-receive channel (72) for the vehicle data (92) and for the control signals (93) is present,

   wherein the data channel (71) and the transmit-receive channel (72) are designed to be at least partially different from one another.
5. Vehicle influencing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein a geography of the radio cells (4) and the route (2) is stored in the route control centre (6), so that in the event of a failure of a particular radio cell (4), a defined radio gap (10) is identified by the route control centre (6) and the route control centre (6) is configured to automatically take into consideration the radio gap (10) when generating the control signals (93).
6. Vehicle influencing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the switching control centre (5) is configured to automatically report the status messages (91) regarding the status of the radio cells (4) to the route control centre (6) via the data channel (71), when interference or interference suppression occurs, and wherein the route control centre (6) is configured, when switched on or initialised, to retrieve the status messages (91) regarding the status of the radio cells (4) from the switching control centre (5) via the data channel (71).
7. Route control centre (6) for a vehicle influencing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
   which is an ETCS radio block centre and which comprises a data input interface (69) for the status messages (91) from the switching control centre (5) and which is configured for processing the status messages (91).
8. Operating method for a vehicle influencing system (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 6,

   wherein the switching control centre (5) automatically receives the status messages (91) regarding the status of the radio cells (4) or generates them and automatically forwards them directly or indirectly to the route control centre (6), and

   wherein the route control centre (6) automatically takes into consideration the received status messages (91), so that interference of the radio cells (4) is factored in by the route control centre (6) without human intervention when the vehicle data (92) is processed and when the control signals (93) are generated.

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