Abstract: In a jointless track system, passive signaling devices (“PSDs”) are coupled to a railroad track. The PSDs are used to optimize the amplitude, modulation, coding, and frequency of waveforms that are applied to the track (by signaling points) for at least three track circuit functions: detecting trains, detecting broken rails, and communicating between the signaling points and PSDs.

Abstract: A rail break or rail vehicle detection system which includes a voltage source, capable of voltage source compensation, is coupled to each of a plurality of zones within a block of rail track devoid of insulated joints. A plurality of current sensors are provided, each coupled to a respective voltage source and configured to measure current flowing through the sensor in response to changing voltage patterns. Each current sensor is further configured in one embodiment to determine and compare signatures based on current measurements to a predetermined decision surface to detect the presence of a rail vehicle or rail break on a predetermined block of track. The voltage source or current sensor can be adapted to control voltage levels and polarity of each voltage source. A method of communicating the presence or absence of a rail break or rail vehicle employs an in-rail TDMA communication scheme to synchronize, test and communicate directly between the sensors without use of external controllers.

Abstract: In a railroad track system that provides for communications through a track rail without insulated joints between a specific transmitter and a specific receiver when a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of receivers are communicating using the track rail, a method including emitting a unique signal from the specific transmitter during a specific time. The unique signal is transmitted through a railway rail, which is without an insulated joint between successive rails and is the medium through which the unique signal travels, wherein the unique signal is detectable but not readable by the plurality of receiver. The specific receiver is activated to read the unique signal during the specific time.

Abstract: In a transportation system (rail system or otherwise), a wayside device potentially operates in a plurality of operational modes. The wayside device is outfitted with an interface system for interfacing the wayside signal device with a vehicle control system. The interface system determines the present operational mode of the wayside device and independently communicates information relating to the determined present operational mode to the vehicle control system. The vehicle control system may control the vehicle based on the information relating to the determined present operational mode. The interface system includes functionality for validating the determined present operational mode prior to transmission of the information to the vehicle control system, to ensure that the vehicle control system is provided with correct and/or current information. The wayside device may be a wayside signal device whose operational modes (as determined by the interface system) are signal aspects conveyed to a vehicle.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a track circuit is provided. The track circuit includes a transmit processing unit, a receive processing unit, and a plurality of rails coupled in series to form a track section having a first end and a second end. The transmit processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the first end. The receive processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the second end. The method includes operating the transmit processing unit so that a first voltage is applied to the track section, operating the receive processing unit to detect a first current signal, and if a parameter of the first current signal is not within a predetermined acceptable range, then communicating with the transmit processing unit so that the transmit processing unit applies a second voltage to the track section, the second voltage having a different magnitude than the first voltage.

Abstract: Remote monitoring and diagnosis of railroad devices using data structures defined for each of the railroad devices. The railroad devices are configured to populate the data structures with status data. The railroad devices transmit the status data for analysis using a network protocol. The analysis of the data results in reduced maintenance.

Abstract: A rail break or rail vehicle detection system which includes a voltage source, capable of voltage source compensation, is coupled to each of a plurality of zones within a block of rail track devoid of insulated joints. A plurality of current sensors are provided, each coupled to a respective voltage source and configured to measure current flowing through the sensor in response to changing voltage patterns. Each current sensor is further configured in one embodiment to determine and compare signatures based on current measurements to a predetermined decision surface to detect the presence of a rail vehicle or rail break on a predetermined block of track. The voltage source or current sensor can be adapted to control voltage levels and polarity of each voltage source. A method of communicating the presence or absence of a rail break or rail vehicle employs an in-rail TDMA communication scheme to synchronize, test and communicate directly between the sensors without use of external controllers.

Abstract: In a railroad track system that provides for communications through a track rail without insulated joints between a specific transmitter and a specific receiver when a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of receivers are communicating using the track rail, a method including emitting a unique signal from the specific transmitter during a specific time. The unique signal is transmitted through a railway rail, which is without an insulated joint between successive rails and is the medium through which the unique signal travels, wherein the unique signal is detectable but not readable by the plurality of receiver. The specific receiver is activated to read the unique signal during the specific time.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for connecting passive signaling devices (“PSDs”) to a railroad track and using the PSDs to optimize the amplitude, modulation, coding, and frequency of waveforms that applied to the track (by signaling points) for at least three track circuit functions: detecting trains, detecting broken rails, and communicating between signaling points and PSDs.

Abstract: An “Frequency-Time Based Data Compression Method” supporting the compression, encryption, decompression, and decryption and persistence of many binary digits through frequencies where each frequency represents many bits.