US 11,529,981 B2 · Ultra-wideband based vital train tracking

Abstract

Examples of techniques for vital train tracking using an ultra-wideband ranging system are disclosed. The system includes a train disposed on a track, the train having at least two onboard UWB beacons configured to broadcast a unique beacon identification number. The system also includes a plurality of wayside UWB beacons disposed along the track, a subset of the plurality of wayside UWB beacons being connected to a wayside communications network, wherein at least two of the plurality of wayside UWB beacons are configured to receive the unique beacon identification number. The system also includes a central computer in communication with the wayside communications network, wherein the central computer is configured to determine a position of the train on the track based at least in part upon known location of the at least two wayside UWB beacons.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A system for vital train tracking using ultra-wideband (UWB) beacons, the system comprising:

a train disposed on a track, the train having at least two onboard UWB beacons configured to broadcast a unique beacon identification number;
a plurality of wayside UWB beacons disposed along the track, a subset of the plurality of wayside UWB beacons being connected to a wayside communications network, wherein at least two of the plurality of wayside UWB beacons are configured to receive the unique beacon identification number;
and
a central computer in communication with the wayside communications network, wherein the central computer is configured to determine a position of the train on the track based at least in part upon known location of the at least two wayside UWB beacons,
wherein the train includes a first car that includes the at least two onboard UWB beacons and a second car that includes two additional onboard UWB beacons, wherein the first car is disposed on one end of the train and the second car is disposed on an opposing end of the train.

2 more elements

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium for vital train tracking using ultra-wideband beacons, the computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processing device to cause the processing device to perform a method comprising:

receiving, by at least two wayside UWB beacons, a unique beacon identification number transmitted by an onboard UWB beacon disposed on a train;
transmitting, by each of the at least two wayside UWB beacons to a central computer, the unique beacon identification number and an identification number associated with the wayside UWB beacon;
calculating, by the central computer, a position of the train on the track based at least in part upon known location of the at least two wayside UWB beacons, and
receiving, by the central computer, a signal from a track vacancy detection equipment disposed on the track indicating a presence of the train on the track, wherein the central computer is configured to detect a presence of the train on the track using both the track vacancy detection equipment and the at least two wayside UWB beacons.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ultra-wideband based vital train tracking

Life of this patent

Ultra-wideband based vital train tracking

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15