Methods and systems for ultra-wideband (uwb) based rail line sensing and safety

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for ultra-wideband (UWB) based rail line sensing and safety.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for train control, comprising:
 a detection control module configured for deployment on or near rail tracks in a rail network, the detection control module comprising:
 one or more antennas; 
 one or more transceivers configured for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals via the one or more antennas; and 
 one or more circuits; 
   signaling gateway module comprising one or more circuits;   wherein:
 the signaling gateway module is configured to control a safety device deployed at a crossing on a rail track; and 
 one or both of the detection control module and the signaling gateway module are configured to:
 communicate signals with any train-based transceiver that comes within communication range, the signals comprising ultra-wideband (UWB) signals; 
 obtain based on at least processing of received UWB signals range measurements corresponding to a train traveling on the rail track; and 
 generate control signals for controlling safety device based on the range measurements. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors attached to the rail track, wherein each sensor is configured to generate a coupling signal in response to a train traveling on the rail track, the coupling signal is communicated to the detection control module. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , the detection control module is configured to generate one or more output signals based on coupling signals received from the one or more sensors, wherein each output signal is generated based on one or more characteristics of at least one corresponding coupling signals. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the safety device includes a gate. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the detection control module and the signaling gateway module are configured to generate at least one control signal for controlling or adjusting timing of the safety device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the detection control module and the signaling gateway module are configured to:
 determine based on the range measurements train-related information associated with the train; and   generate or adjust the control signals based on the train-related information.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the detection control module and the signaling gateway module are configured to communicate to the train information relating to the safety device and/or operation of the safety device. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the detection control module and the signaling gateway module are configured to communicate to one or more vehicles approaching the crossing information relating to the safety device and/or operation of the safety device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signaling gateway module further comprises:
 one or more antennas; and   one or more transceivers configured for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals via the one or more antennas; and   wherein the signaling gateway module is configured to communicate with one or both of the detection control module and the safety device using wireless signals.   
     
     
         10 . A system for train control, comprising:
 a plurality of detection control modules configured for deployment on or near rail tracks in a rail network, wherein each detection control module comprises:
 one or more antennas; 
 one or more transceivers configured for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals via the one or more antennas; and 
 one or more circuits; 
   wherein:
 the plurality of detection control modules comprises at least a first detection control module and a second detection control module; 
 the first detection control module is deployed physically closer to a crossing on a rail track than a second detection control module; 
 the second detection control module is configured to:
 generate in response to physical detection of a train traveling on the rail track, a detection signal; and 
 communicate the detection signal to the first detection control module; and 
 
 the first detection control module is configured to:
 communicate signals with any train-based transceiver that comes within communication range, the signals comprising ultra-wideband (UWB) signals; and 
 obtain based on at least processing of received UWB signals range measurements corresponding to a train traveling on the rail track; and 
 
   wherein the range measurements and the detection signal are used in controlling a safety device deployed at the crossing.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a signaling gateway module configured to control the safety device; and wherein the one or both of the signaling gateway module and the first detection control module are configured to generate control signals for controlling safety device based on the range measurements and the detection signal. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein one or both of the first detection control module and the signaling gateway module are configured to generate at least of control signal for controlling or adjusting timing of the safety device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein one or both of the first detection control module and the signaling gateway module are configured to:
 determine based on the range measurements train-related information associated with the train; and   generate or adjust the control signals based on the train-related information.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the signaling gateway module further comprises:
 one or more antennas; and   one or more transceivers configured for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals via the one or more antennas; and   wherein the signaling gateway module is configured to communicate with one or both of the first detection control module and the safety gate using wireless signals.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first detection control module is configured to communicate to the train information relating to the safety device and/or operation of the safety device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising one or more sensors attached to the rail track, wherein each sensor is configured to generate a coupling signal in response to a train traveling on the rail track, the coupling signal is communicated to the second detection control module. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , the first detection control module is configured to the detection signal based on coupling signals received from the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the safety device includes a gate.