RU2825483C1 - Device for recording signals of automatic locomotive signalling - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: automation equipment on railway transport.

SUBSTANCE: device for recording signals of automatic locomotive signalling contains a processor, a low-pass filter, an analogue-to-digital converter, a display module, a CAN transceiver, an Ethernet transceiver, a power supply unit, a signal level clamp module, onboard electronic card module, memory module, comparator module and control signal memory module. At that, processor software is made with possibility to analyse time-synchronized CAN messages from locomotive safety device and ALS signals from locomotive coils to detect ALS codes failures with reference to digital track model and deviations in ALS devices operation, generation in internal non-volatile memory of separate data units on CAN messages, on ALS signals, as well as on detected faults and transmission of messages on detected faults to external systems.

EFFECT: improving reliability of determining faults of a locomotive receiver and separating faults of a locomotive receiver from faults of equipment for generating ALS codes in track circuits.

1 cl, 1 dwg

Description

The invention relates to automation means in railway transport, in particular, to automatic locomotive signaling systems.

A device for recording automatic locomotive signalling signals is known, comprising a microcontroller installed in a housing, an analog-to-digital conversion unit connected between a first input of the device intended for connecting the device to the terminals of locomotive signal reception coils of an automatic locomotive signalling system, and the first information input of the microcontroller, the corresponding outputs of a removable memory medium connected to the inputs and an indication unit, the indication elements of which are located on the front panel of the housing, and a power supply unit, other information inputs of the microcontroller are connected through a matching unit to a second input of the device intended for connection to a CAN bus of a locomotive safety device, and the software of the microcontroller is designed with the possibility of recording on the memory medium time-synchronised CAN messages from the locomotive safety device and automatic locomotive signalling signals from locomotive receiving coils (RU 118935 U1, B61L 25/00, 10.08.2012).

The known device ensures recording on a removable memory medium of time-synchronized messages, time-synchronized CAN messages from a locomotive safety device and ALS signals from locomotive coils with their reference to the coordinates of the locomotive's location.

A disadvantage of the known device is the lack of the ability to pre-analyze time-synchronized CAN messages from the locomotive safety device and ALS signals from locomotive coils to identify ALS code failures and deviations in the operation of ALS devices.

The prototype is a device for recording signals of an automatic locomotive signaling system, comprising a processor installed in a housing, an analog-to-digital conversion unit connected between the input of the device intended for connecting the device to the locomotive coils for receiving signals of the automatic locomotive signaling system, and the first input of the processor connected by an output to the input of the indicator module, the indicator elements of which are located on the front panel of the housing, a CAN transceiver connected between the input/output of the device intended for connection to the CAN bus of the locomotive safety device, and the first output/input of the processor, the second output/input of which is connected to the input/output of the Ethernet transceiver, the other inputs/outputs of which are connected to the output/input of the device intended for connection to the on-board radio modem, and a power supply unit, the input of which is connected to the output of the device intended for connection to the power bus of the locomotive safety device, wherein the processor software is designed with the possibility of analyzing time-synchronized CAN messages from the locomotive safety device and ALS signals from locomotive coils to detect ALS code failures with reference to the digital track model and deviations in the operation of ALS devices, to generate individual data blocks in the internal non-volatile memory about CAN messages, about ALS signals, as well as about detected ALS code failures with reference to the digital track model and about deviations in the operation of ALS devices and to transmit in real time to external systems messages about detected ALS code failures and deviations in the operation of ALS devices with reference to the digital track model (RU 190653, B61L 25/00, 08.07.2019).

The known device does not sufficiently protect the train control system from false decisions about the need to repair the locomotive receiver.

Statistically, there is a dependence of the probability of incorrect recognition of each element of the ALS code signal pattern (pulse or pause) on the ratio of instantaneous amplitudes of the signal and interference at the input of the locomotive receiver. If this ratio decreases to a certain value, then the probability of incorrectly identifying a pulse or pause in the ALS code signal pattern increases to such an extent that the probability of erroneous perception of the entire ALS signal pattern exceeds the designated permissible value. The cause of distortions of the code signal perceived by the locomotive receiver and, accordingly, its failures when receiving ALS signals may be a faulty operation of the ALS code track generators in the track circuits or a faulty operation of the receiving circuit of the locomotive receiver itself. The difference between these failure situations is manifested, in particular, in the fact that failures in the reception of ALS signals due to incorrect operation of the receiving path of the locomotive receiver occur on arbitrary sections of a specific route of the locomotive, and failures due to faulty operation of the track ALS code generators occur mainly only when the locomotive is on track circuits, where the track equipment for generating ALS codes is actually faulty. Classification of these failure situations into two separate groups allows us to reasonably decide on the need to remove the locomotive from routes to send it to a maintenance point (MT) or to limit ourselves to repairing and adjusting the equipment of specific track circuits.

The known locomotive device for recording signals of automatic locomotive signaling does not allow this classification function to be performed with the required reliability due to the fact that the data on the operation of the circuit of the receiving path of the locomotive ALS receiver are analyzed in the maintenance center, i.e. only after the locomotive arrives for inspection at the maintenance center. Until this time, the information transmitted from locomotive devices to maintenance centers via the radio channel is limited in volume. The limited information transmitted to the maintenance point is associated with the limitations of the volume of data transmitted via the radio channel from the locomotive to the maintenance center, compared to more detailed reliable and timely data that are available directly on the locomotive to the processor of its on-board device, via the CAN bus of the locomotive intermodular interface.

For example, detailed data on current signal amplitudes and interference at the input of the locomotive receiver are not transmitted to the radio channel from the locomotive, since these are large volumes of information that overload the radio network. These data cannot be transmitted too frequently and with a small time delay for the required reliable detection of potential failure situations.

In some cases, radio communication with the maintenance point may be interrupted for a long time. For some rolling stock of rail transport (repair trolleys, etc.), communication may be completely absent during the trip due to insufficient volume of on-board equipment.

Erroneous removal of a locomotive from the route for its maintenance at a maintenance point reduces the efficiency of the train traffic control system.

The technical result of the invention consists in increasing the reliability of determining a malfunction of a locomotive receiver and separating malfunctions of a locomotive receiver from malfunctions of the equipment for generating ALS codes in track circuits along a train route.

The technical result is achieved in that the device for recording signals of an automatic locomotive signaling system, containing a processor installed in a housing, between the input of the device intended for connecting locomotive coils for receiving signals of the automatic locomotive signaling system and the first input of the processor, a low-pass filter and an analog-to-digital converter are connected in series, the input of the indicator module is connected to the output of the processor, the indicator elements of which are located on the front panel of the housing, a CAN transceiver connected between the input/output of the device intended for connection to the CAN bus of the locomotive safety device and the first input/output of the processor, the second input/output of which is connected to the output/input of the Ethernet transceiver, the other inputs/outputs of which are connected to the output/input of the device intended for connection to the on-board radio modem, and a power supply unit, the input of which is connected to the output of the device for connection to the power bus of the locomotive safety device, wherein the processor software is designed with the possibility of analyzing synchronized based on the time of CAN messages from the locomotive safety device and ALS signals from the locomotive coils for detecting ALS code failures with a link to the digital track model and deviations in the operation of ALS devices, generating in the internal non-volatile memory individual data blocks about CAN messages, about ALS signals, as well as about detected ALS code failures with a link to the digital track model and about deviations in the operation of ALS devices and transmitting in real time to external systems messages about detected ALS code failures and deviations in the operation of ALS devices with a link to the digital track model, according to the invention is equipped with a signal level clamp module, the first input of which is connected to the output of the analog-to-digital converter, and the second input is connected to the output of the on-board electronic map module, the output of the signal level clamp module is connected to the input of the memory module, the output of which is connected to the first input of the comparison module, the second input of which is connected to the output of the control signal memory module, the output of the comparison module is connected to the second input a processor, the third input/output of which is connected to the input/output of the data analysis unit, the input/output of which is connected to the input/output of the decision-making unit, the first and second outputs of which are connected respectively to the third and fourth inputs of the processor.

The drawing shows a functional diagram of the device for recording signals of automatic locomotive signaling.

The device for recording signals of an automatic locomotive signalling system comprises a processor 2 installed in a housing 1, between the input of the device intended for connecting locomotive coils for receiving signals of the automatic locomotive signalling system and the first input of the processor 2, a low-pass filter 3 and an analog-to-digital converter 4 are connected in series, the input of the indication module 5 is connected to the output of the processor 2, the indication elements of which are located on the front panel of the housing 1, a CAN transceiver 6, connected between the input/output of the device intended for connection to the CAN bus of the locomotive safety device, and the first input/output of the processor 2, the second input/output of which is connected to the output/input of the Ethernet transceiver 7, the other inputs/outputs of which are connected to the output/input of the device intended for connection to the on-board radio modem, and a power supply unit 8, the input of which is connected to the output of the device for connection to the power bus of the locomotive safety device, wherein the software the provision of the processor 2 is designed with the possibility of analyzing time-synchronized CAN messages from the locomotive safety device and ALS signals from the locomotive coils to detect ALS code failures with a link to the digital track model and deviations in the operation of the ALS devices, forming in the internal non-volatile memory individual data blocks about CAN messages, about ALS signals, as well as about detected ALS code failures with a link to the digital track model and about deviations in the operation of the ALS devices and transmitting in real time to external systems messages about detected ALS code failures and deviations in the operation of the ALS devices with a link to the digital track model, the signal level clamp module 9, the first input of which is connected to the output of the analog-to-digital converter 4, and the second input is connected to the output of the on-board electronic map module 10, the output of the signal level clamp module 9 is connected to the input of the memory module 11, the output of which is connected to the first input of the module 12 comparison, the second input of which is connected to the output of the control signal memory module 13, the output of the comparison module 12 is connected to the second input of the processor 2, the third input/output of which is connected to the input/output of the data analysis unit 14, the input/output of which is connected to the input/output of the decision-making unit 15, the first and second outputs of which are connected respectively to the third and fourth inputs of the processor 2.

The device for recording automatic locomotive signaling signals operates as follows.

Before the train starts moving, the corresponding inputs of the automatic locomotive signaling signal recording device are connected to the power bus and CAN bus of the locomotive safety device, as well as to the on-board radio modem.

When a train equipped with locomotive safety devices participating in the information exchange via the CAN protocol along a controlled route starts moving, all transceivers of the local CAN network are initialized. In this case, voltage is supplied to the input of power supply unit 8 in automatic mode. Power supply unit 8 converts the voltage supplied to its input into the supply voltage of all elements of the device and their galvanic isolation from the circuits of the safety device. In this case, indication module 5 signals the inclusion of the ALS signal recording device.

Messages from the CAN bus channels of the locomotive safety device are received via the CAN transceiver 6 to the corresponding input/output of the processor 2. CAN messages include data on the current time, movement parameters and coordinates of the train, registered actions of the driver, operating modes of the on-board equipment and the state of the locomotive safety device.

CAN transceiver 6 contains a CAN driver and galvanic isolation connected in series, wherein the input/output of CAN transceiver 6 is the input/output of the CAN driver, and its output/input is the output/input of the galvanic isolation.

The indication module 5 includes a display for displaying messages to the driver and elements for indicating the status and operating modes of the device.

The USB port of processor 2 is connected to the output of a device designed for connecting a removable memory device in the form of a flash drive.

SPI or MCI port of processor 2 is connected to the output of a device designed for connecting a removable memory device in the form of a flash card.

This connection of the corresponding processor ports to the specified device outputs provides the ability to record data in parallel on external removable memory media, recorded in the energy-information memory of the information processor for its subsequent expert analysis.

The 5 indicator module includes three LEDs located on the front panel of the device: green, yellow and red.

The LEDs of the 5 indication module determine the following signs of the device’s operation:

- green LED when lit with a slight flicker - power supply unit 8 is turned on, the device is ready for operation;

- the yellow LED in blinking mode signals the recording of CAN messages into the non-volatile memory of processor 2;

- the red LED in blinking mode indicates that the ALS signals from the receiving coils are being recorded into the non-volatile memory of processor 2.

The signals of the automatic locomotive signaling from the terminals of the locomotive coils are fed to the input of the low-pass filter 3, which performs preliminary filtering, and then to the analog-to-digital converter 4 (ADC), which converts the analog signal from the receiving coils into a digital code and transmits it to the information input of the processor 2, which records the received signals in the internal non-volatile memory.

When recording signals from the output of analog-to-digital converter 4, processor 2 forms RAW audio files, each of which includes ALS signals for a specified period of time. Processor 2 records audio files into internal non-volatile memory in a separate RAW file.

When recording CAN messages into the internal non-volatile memory, processor 2 correlates each CAN message with an audio file and a specific audio file buffer number.

Moreover, processor 2, for each failure, forms the received CAN messages into a separate CAN message file and records it into the same folder as the audio file. This allows processor 2, when analyzing the received data, to open audio files and view the CAN messages of the safety devices in mutual binding.

Based on the results of the analysis of the received data, processor 2 generates a file with a card containing information about a specific failure.

All three RAW files, CAN and the failure card are written by processor 2 into a separate archive.

The analysis of automatic locomotive signaling signals and the identification of situations with ALS code failures is carried out by processor 2 in real time.

In this case, processor 2 carries out a check related to classifying the failure as technologically (functionally) justified, that is, caused by the movement of the train along a specific section, or under known conditions that negatively affect the reception of the signal and lead to a failure in the operation of the automatic locomotive signaling.

After registering the location of the end of the failure, processor 2 records information about the specified code failure in the internal non-volatile memory, including the location of the beginning of the failure, the location of the end of the failure, train parameters, the nature of the failure, the cause of the failure, a fragment of the code signal, and transmits it via Ethernet transceiver 7 to the input of the on-board radio communication module, for subsequent transmission to automated systems specializing in recording failures of ALS equipment.

In addition, based on the results of the analysis of CAN messages, processor 2 identifies situations with deviations in the content of ALS devices.

For each event associated with the detection of a deviation in the contents of the ALS devices, processor 2 records its parameters.

In this case, for each event related to the detection of a deviation in the contents of the ALS devices, processor 2 forms from the input data stream of CAN messages an excerpt of the ALS signal recording lasting 5 seconds before and 5 seconds after the place (time) of the beginning of the recorded event, regardless of the possible occurrence of other events. Processor 2 records information about the specified event (place (time) of the beginning and end of the deviation, the reason for the deviation) in the internal non-volatile memory.

The internal non-volatile memory of processor 2 includes the following subdirectories in the ROOT directory:

- for continuous recording of the ALS signal and information exchange of the security system;

- for recording failures, in the form of segments of the ALS signal recording and information exchange via the CAN bus;

- to register deviations, in the form of segments of the ALS signal recording and information exchange via the CAN bus.

Also, information about identified situations with deviations in the contents of the ALS devices is transmitted via Ethernet transceiver 7 to the input of the onboard radio communication module for subsequent transmission to automated systems specializing in recording failures of the ALS equipment.

When connecting an external removable storage device to the corresponding output of the device associated with the USB or SPI or MCI port of processor 2, information is copied from its internal non-volatile memory to the memory of the removable storage device.

Thus, the proposed device for recording ALS signals allows for the reception, processing, analysis, recording and further operational transmission of incoming information about signals of automatic locomotive signaling received on board, ensuring the synchronization of these data with events related to changes in the operating modes of the on-board equipment, changes in the train situation and the actions of the locomotive crew, establishing preliminary causes of detected failures and deviations in the operation of automatic locomotive signaling, ensuring a sufficiently accurate linkage of recorded events related to disruptions in the operation of locomotive signaling to the scale of a single system time and a digital track model.

The proposed device detects code failures that cause the switching of locomotive traffic light signals, and also detects deviations in the operation of automatic locomotive signaling, which are determined by the deviation of the parameters of the transmitted signal from the standard indicators.

The following parameters are used to describe code failures: failure start location, failure end location, train parameters, failure nature, failure cause, code signal fragment.

The place of the beginning of the code failure characterizes the moment of time, the corresponding coordinate and track number, the identifier of the section (station/section), the letter of the nearest traffic light, associated with the manifestation of the first code failure after the previous stable and operational state of the ALS devices. The coordinate should be understood as a set of parameters consisting of geographic coordinates, railway coordinate (km/pc/m) and track circuit identifier.

The end point of the failure is characterized by the moment in time, the corresponding coordinate and track number, the section identifier (station/section), recorded after 25 seconds have passed from the start point of the code failure or after the train has passed the track circuit on which the start point of the code failure was recorded.

Train parameters include locomotive and train characteristics, as well as train movement parameters on the section, including the train number, locomotive (section) number, driver’s identification number, train speed, train movement mode (traction/coasting), and the state of auxiliary equipment.

The nature of the failure is one of the codes listed in the description of the failures: change in the readings of the locomotive safety device indicator unit.

The cause of the failure is probable, the cause of the occurrence of code failures, experimentally established in accordance with the developed algorithm for analyzing the input signal of the ALS.

The processor 2 software provides the ability to identify the following causes of code failures:

- the amplitude of the ALS code current in the rails does not correspond to the standard indicator;

- there is no ALS signal on the coded section of the route;

- the time parameters of the first interval of the ALS code do not correspond to the norm;

- there is no possibility to decipher the ALS signal;

- failure of the receiver module;

- failure in the operation of the central processor module of the locomotive safety device;

- no data in the CAN bus.

In some cases, the cause of the failure may indirectly or directly indicate the source of its occurrence or directly the faulty device.

Additionally, the software of processor 2 registers deviations in the contents of the ALS devices as a cause of a potential failure, which in fact did not lead to the occurrence of a failure due to the retention of readings by the indication unit of the locomotive safety device, which makes it possible to identify and register the pre-failure state of the ALS devices.

A fragment of a code signal characterizes a digital recording of a fragment of an ALS signal received on board with a total duration in the range of 15 seconds before and 25 seconds after the place (time) of the start of the code failure and 5 seconds before and 5 seconds after the place (time) of the start of the retreat.

The on-board receiver performs the function of continuous reception of ALS signals, providing their primary filtering and preparation for further analysis. This allows responding to any changes in signal information, which is key to ensuring traffic safety.

The Signal Level Clamp Module 9 is used for deep analysis of received signals. This module not only determines the current signal level, but also identifies potential failure situations and evaluates the health of system components such as the feeder and coil suspension level.

In case of detection of normal operation or failure, the signal level recorder module 9 integrates the received data with the location information from the on-board electronic map module 10. This allows for precise information binding of diagnostic data to specific sections of the railway track.

Memory module 11 ensures recording of the current trip data and its unique addressing in the information space. This creates the basis for building a historical trip database, facilitating the process of route analysis and optimization.

The comparison module 12, interacting with the memory module 11 and the control signal memory module 13, performs a comprehensive analysis of the history of trips, signal levels and failures. This allows for the identification of patterns and the prediction of potential problem areas on the railway track.

Comparison module 12 performs deep analysis of recorded signals for fault patterns, which greatly improves the efficiency of fault identification.

Based on the results of the data analysis by block 14, decision-making block 15, based on a specified algorithm, generates information with recommendations for checking and servicing on-board devices at the first output, and information with recommendations for checking and servicing stationary ALS devices at the second output. The recommendations are displayed on the display of the indication module 5 and transmitted via the on-board radio modem to the dispatch control center. This ensures the possibility of taking timely measures to prevent emergency situations and improve the reliability of railway transport and to avoid unjustified removals from the route of locomotives with serviceable ALS devices.

The proposed device ensures a higher level of safety and efficiency of railway transport operation due to prompt and reliable complex analysis and processing of ALS signals, as well as their information linking to location and historical data.

Claims (1)

A device for recording signals of an automatic locomotive signalling system, comprising a processor installed in a housing, between the input of the device intended for connecting locomotive coils for receiving signals of the automatic locomotive signalling system and the first input of the processor, a low-pass filter and an analog-to-digital converter connected in series are connected, the input of the indicator module is connected to the output of the processor, the indicator elements of which are located on the front panel of the housing, a CAN transceiver connected between the input/output of the device intended for connection to the CAN bus of the locomotive safety device and the first input/output of the processor, the second input/output of which is connected to the output/input of the Ethernet transceiver, the other inputs/outputs of which are connected to the output/input of the device intended for connection to the on-board radio modem, and a power supply unit, the input of which is connected to the output of the device for connection to the power bus of the locomotive safety device, wherein the processor software is designed with the possibility of analysing time-synchronised CAN messages from locomotive safety device and ALS signals from locomotive coils for detecting ALS code failures with reference to a digital track model and deviations in the operation of ALS devices, generating in the internal non-volatile memory individual data blocks on CAN messages, on ALS signals, as well as on detected ALS code failures with reference to a digital track model and on deviations in the operation of ALS devices and transmitting in real time to external systems messages on detected ALS code failures and deviations in the operation of ALS devices with reference to a digital track model, characterized in that it is equipped with a signal level clamp module, the first input of which is connected to the output of an analog-to-digital converter, and the second input is connected to the output of the on-board electronic map module, the output of the signal level clamp module is connected to the input of the memory module, the output of which is connected to the first input of the comparison module, the second input of which is connected to the output of the control signal memory module, the output of the comparison module is connected to the second input of the processor, the third the input/output of which is connected to the input/output of the data analysis unit, the input/output of which is connected to the input/output of the decision-making unit, the first and second outputs of which are connected respectively to the third and fourth inputs of the processor.

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