Abstract: A system for testing a vehicle antenna is provided including a testing transponder and a monitoring unit. The testing transponder is positioned such that it lies within the electromagnetic field of a vehicle antenna and, while in the electromagnetic field, the testing transponder intermittently transmits signals conveying data to the vehicle antenna. The monitoring unit is in an operative relationship with the antenna and is suitable to receive data indicative of the signals conveying data detected by the vehicle antenna. The monitoring unit detects an error condition associated with the vehicle antenna when the time since the last signal conveying data detected by the antenna exceeds a certain threshold time period.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device is proposed which comprises a substrate, thereupon a lower cladding layer, thereupon an upper cladding layer and between said cladding layers a waveguide element. The influence of the substrate on the stress-induced birefringence of the optical waveguide device is reduced by modification of the substrate from underneath the waveguide element.

Abstract: A remote control unit for controlling a locomotive is provided. The remote control unit includes a manually operable control device, a brake setting display and a display controller. The control device allows an operator to select a level of brake application. The brake setting display includes an array of discrete display elements. The display controller actuates a first display element when a first level of brake application is selected on the control device. The display controller actuates a second display element adjacent to the first display element when a third level of brake application is selected on the control device. The display controller actuates the first and that second display elements of the array when a second level of brake application that is intermediate to the first and third levels of brake application is selected on the control device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remote operator programming unit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. The invention further provides an apparatus for remotely programming a transmitter unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remoit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. Th.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remote operator programming unit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. The invention further provides an apparatus for remotely programming a transmitter unit.

Abstract: A remote control unit for controlling a locomotive is provided. The remote control unit includes a manually operable control device, a brake setting display and a display controller. The control device allows an operator to select a level of brake application. The brake setting display includes an array of discrete display elements. The display controller actuates a first display element when a first level of brake application is selected on the control device. The display controller actuates a second display element adjacent to the first display element when a third level of brake application is selected on the control device. The display controller actuates the first and that second display elements of the array when a second level of brake application that is intermediate to the first and third levels of brake application is selected on the control device.

Abstract: A system for testing a vehicle antenna is provided including a testing transponder and a monitoring unit. The testing transponder is positioned such that it lies within the electromagnetic field of a vehicle antenna and, while in the electromagnetic field, the testing transponder intermittently transmits signals conveying data to the vehicle antenna. The monitoring unit is in an operative relationship with the antenna and is suitable to receive data indicative of the signals conveying data detected by the vehicle antenna. The monitoring unit detects an error condition associated with the vehicle antenna when the time since the last signal conveying data detected by the antenna exceeds a certain threshold time period.

Abstract: The invention is related to an optical cross-connect switch comprising a waveguide connected with one waveguide end to a first optical port and connected with its other waveguide end to a steering device for directing an optical signal beam from said first optical port to a second optical port, said waveguide comprising a patterned waveguide layer disposed on a substrate. The steering device can be arranged in a cavity in the substrate. The optical cross-connect switch then comprises a substrate, which is partially covered by a waveguide layer and a cladding layer, patterned for example by etching processes, with at least one waveguide, connected with one end to one of the optical ports and with the other end, comprising core and cladding, unsupported by the substrate or remaining layers and extending into a switching plane above the cavity, which is located in the substrate.

Abstract: A remote control system for a locomotive. The remote control system includes a lead controller and follower controller connected to one another over a wireless communication link. The lead controller issues commands over the wireless communication link and those commands are implemented by the follower controller mounted on-board the locomotive. The lead controller is responsive to voice commands uttered by the operator.

Abstract: A transmitter for remotely controlling a locomotive entity. The transmitter has a control entity capable of acquiring a plurality of states, including a linked state. The transmitter also has an interface in communication with the control entity for receiving an identifier of the locomotive entity via a communication link. The transmitter also has a proximity detector having a detection field, the proximity detector being in communication with the control entity to enable the control entity to switch to the linked state at least when the locomotive entity is in the detection field.

Abstract: An electrically tunable coupler device is disposed on a substrate comprising a first and a second waveguide, for guiding optical signals. The coupler device comprises a heater element disposed adjacent the first waveguide for thermo-optically shifting the phase of the optical signal in the first waveguide in response to a control voltage applied to the heater element. The heater element is disposed in an interaction region of the optical signals, such that, within the interaction region, a temperature gradient across the first and the second waveguide is generated in dependence on the applied control voltage. A heat sink element can be disposed adjacent the second waveguide to absorb thermal energy from the heater element. This device can be fabricated at reduced cost and in increased packing density and is usable e.g. in directional couplers, Mach-Zehnder interferometers, optical ring resonators, IIR filters, or optical modulators.

Abstract: A system of controller modules allowing to remotely control a train having a first locomotive and a second locomotive separated from one another by at least one car is provided. The system of controller modules comprises a first controller module associated to the first locomotive and a second controller module associated to the second locomotive. One of said controller modules has a lead operational status and the other has a trail operational status. The controller module having the lead operational status receives a master control signal for signaling the train to move in a desired direction and releases in response to the master control signal a first local command signal. The first local command signal is operative to cause displacement of the locomotive associated with the controller module having the lead operational status.

Abstract: A remote control system for a locomotive. The remote control system includes a lead controller and follower controller connected to one another over a wireless communication link. The lead controller issues commands over the wireless communication link and those commands are implemented by the follower controller mounted on-board the locomotive. The lead controller is responsive to voice commands uttered by the operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling devices, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of equalized pseudo-random transmission intervals obtained using a random number generator to regulate the times at which the signals are sent from a transmitter to a receiver. The use of these randomly generated transmission intervals allows eliminating the requirement of having an operator manage these intervals for transmitters in simultaneous operation. The invention also provides communication systems operating concurrently with substantially uniform response times by constraining the values of the transmission intervals to lie within a given range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remote operator programming unit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. The invention further provides an apparatus for remotely programming a transmitter unit.

Abstract: A remote control system for a locomotive. The remote control system includes a lead controller and follower controller connected to one another over a wireless communication link. The lead controller issues command over the wireless communication link and those commands are implemented by the follower controller mounted on-board the locomotive. The lead controller is responsive to voice commands uttered by the operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remote operator programming unit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. The invention further provides an apparatus for remotely programming a transmitter unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling devices, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of equalized pseudo-random transmission intervals obtained using a random number generator to regulate the times at which the signals are sent from a transmitter to a receiver. The use of these randomly generated transmission intervals allows eliminating the requirement of having an operator manage these intervals for transmitters in simultaneous operation. The invention also provides communication systems operating concurrently with substantially uniform response times by constraining the values of the transmission intervals to lie within a given range.

Abstract: The essential feature is the step of generating a controllable ‘dynamic’ intensity field profile with a controllable beating pattern in a multimode superposition of different modes, as e.g., a fundamental mode and a higher order mode as e.g., the TE0 mode and TE1 mode of an input wavelength entering the input site of an AWG apparatus, whereby said beating pattern is controlled in a fixed, or in variable, predetermined way, as e.g., with a fixed or a wavelength dependent power ratio and beating pattern, for improving the mode overlap in a receiver waveguide associated with an output site of said apparatus. With variable conditions, a lower number of converter units is required. In a 8:1 multiplexer, for example, there is needed just one converter unit at its output. A 1:8 demultiplexer can be obtained by solely reversing the AWG apparatus.