Methods and systems for virtual trip stops in train networks

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for virtual trip stops in train networks. The rail network includes one or more wayside control units configured for deployment on or near tracks in the rail network, with each wayside control unit coupled or attached to a train signal, and the train-based control unit is configured to communicate with any wayside control unit that comes within communication range of the train-based control unit, determine based on processing of communicated signals with at least one wayside control unit one or both of operation information relating to one or both of the at least one wayside control unit and the train and state information relating to a state of train signal, and generate based on the operation information and the state information, control information configured for use in controlling one or more functions of the train in conjunction with operation in the rail network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for train control, comprising:
 a train-based control unit configured for deployment on a train operating within a rail network, the train-based control unit comprising:
 one or more transceivers configured for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals; and 
 one or more circuits configured to:
 process signals and data, and 
 perform based, at least in part, on the processing of signals one or more functions relating to operations of the train-based control unit; 
 
   wherein:
 the rail network comprises one or more wayside control units configured for deployment on or near tracks in the rail network; 
 each wayside control unit is coupled or attached to a train signal; and 
 the train-based control unit is configured to:
 communicate with any wayside control unit that comes within communication range of the train-based control unit; 
 determine based on processing of communicated signals with at least one wayside control unit:
 operation information relating to one or both of the at least one wayside control unit and the train; and 
 state information relating to a state of train signal; and 
 
 generate based on the operation information and the state information, control information configured for use in controlling one or more functions of the train in conjunction with operation in the rail network. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operation information comprises ranging information, and wherein the train-based control unit is configured to determine range to at least one wayside control unit. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the train-based control unit is configured to determine approximate range to each wayside control unit within communication range of the train-based control unit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the train-based control unit is configured to:
 identify at least one nearest wayside control unit; and   obtain, based on processing of received signals, precision range measurements to the at least one nearest wayside control unit.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the train-based control unit is configured to repeat obtaining range measurements after a time delay. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operation information comprises one or more of direction, speed, and location, wherein the train-based control unit is configured to determine at least one of direction of movement of the train, speed of the train, location of the train, and operating track based, at least in part, on processing of received signals from at least one wayside control unit. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the train-based control unit is configured to determine at least one of the direction of movement of the train, the speed of the train, the location of the train, and the operating track based on range measurement to at least one wayside control unit. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the train-based control unit is configured to select a nearest virtual trip stop based on identifying of a train signal, wherein the train signal is determined based on a corresponding wayside control unit. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the train-based control unit is configured to determine a safe braking distance for the virtual trip stop based on speed of the train. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the state information comprises an indication of whether the state of train signal is restrictive, permissive, or not confirmed, and wherein the train-based control unit is configured to:
 select a virtual trip stop based on identifying a particular wayside control unit; and   generate or adjust the control information based on the indication.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more functions of the train comprise braking, and wherein the train-based control unit is configured to generate a safe braking command based on a determination that the state of train signal is restrictive or is not confirmed. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the train-based control unit is configured to communicate with at least one wayside control unit that comes within communication range of the train-based control unit using ultra-wideband (UWB) signals. 
     
     
         13 . A system for train control, comprising:
 a wayside control unit configured for deployment on or near tracks in a rail network, the wayside control unit comprising:
 one or more transceivers configured for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals; and 
 one or more circuits configured to:
 process signals and data, and 
 perform based, at least in part, on the processing of signals one or more functions relating to operations of the wayside control unit; 
 
   wherein:
 the wayside control unit is coupled or attached to the train signal; and 
 the wayside control unit is configured to:
 communicate with any train-based control unit that comes within communication range of the wayside control unit. 
 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the wayside control unit is configured to communicate with at least one train-based control unit that comes within communication range of the wayside control unit using ultra-wideband (UWB) signals.