Abstract: Systems and methods of calibrating an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) on a vehicle are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first tilt angle of the IMU is measured with the IMU while the vehicle is stationary. A second tilt angle of the IMU is measured with an inclinometer or tilt sensor while the vehicle is stationary. The orientation of the IMU is corrected based on the first tilt angle and the second tilt angle.

Abstract: A positioning and odometry system includes two or more vehicle beacons installed on an end of a vehicle and configured to communicate with one or more guideway beacons installed along a guideway. Processing circuitry is configured to communicate with the one or more vehicle beacons and perform at least one of: determine, before the processing circuitry enters a sleep state, a first vehicle position on the guideway; determine, after the processing circuitry wakes from the sleep state, a second vehicle position on the guideway; determine, after the processing circuitry wakes from the sleep state, any difference between the first vehicle position on the guideway and the second vehicle position on the guideway; determine a third vehicle position on the guideway using range measurements taken at configurable time intervals; and determine a vehicle speed where speed is measured as a change in the third vehicle position over time.

Abstract: A method for determining rail vehicle location and identifying obstacles, which includes operations of transmitting, from at least two vehicle beacons on a first vehicle, a ranging signal to at least two external beacons; receiving, at the at least two vehicle beacons, a return signal from the at least two external beacons; and determining, based on the return signal from the at least two external beacons, a position of each of the external beacons with respect to the at least two vehicle beacons of the first vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle-position monitoring system includes liquid-capacitive inclinometer sensor, configured to provide a measurement of grade (?grade) of a surface over which a vehicle travels, and an accelerometer to measure acceleration of the vehicle along a principal axis (ax) of the vehicle along the surface. Direct measurement of the grade (?grade) provides a position-tracking system with accurate information to extract acceleration due to motoring and braking (aMB) from acceleration experienced along the principal axis and track vehicle position without regard to wheel diameter calibration.

Abstract: The vehicle odometry and motion direction system and method is described. The vehicle odometry and motion direction system and method determines if the first ground speed data is acceptable. Ground speed data is calculated for all targets within a radar's field of view and targets ground speed data is processed to determine second ground speed data. The vehicle odometry and motion direction system and method determines trusted ground speed data using first ground speed data and second ground speed data and adjusts the trusted ground speed data due to errors in radar Doppler speed data.

Abstract: Systems and methods of calibrating an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) on a vehicle are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first tilt angle of the IMU is measured with the IMU while the vehicle is stationary. A second tilt angle of the IMU is measured with an inclinometer or tilt sensor while the vehicle is stationary. The orientation of the IMU is corrected based on the first tilt angle and the second tilt angle.

Abstract: A standalone odometry device includes an accelerometer and/or gyroscope configured to be mounted on a wheel or axle of a vehicle. A controller in communication with the accelerometer and/or gyroscope is configured to receive data from the accelerometer and/or gyroscope. The controller processes the data to determine one or more of the speed, wheel rotation direction, accumulated distance travelled, stationary status, acceleration, deceleration, wheel diameter, and grade of surface on which the wheel is in contact.

Abstract: Systems and method of calibrating a range measurement system for a vehicle mounted on a guideway are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method includes: measuring a first time of transmission (TOT) between a first internal component of an on-board range measurement device and a second internal component of a wayside range measurement device. The first TOT is compared with a first pre-determined time. A health of the range measurement system is determined based on a difference between the first TOT and the first pre-determined time.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of locating a guideway mounted vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a communication signal is transmitted to a wayside communication device. A range estimation is obtained based on the communication signal. A radar signal is transmitted to at least one reflector. An accuracy of the range estimation is increased based on the radar signal.

Abstract: A positioning and odometry system includes two or more vehicle beacons installed on an end of a vehicle and configured to communicate with one or more guideway beacons installed along a guideway. Processing circuitry is configured to communicate with the one or more vehicle beacons and perform at least one of: determine, before the processing circuitry enters a sleep state, a first vehicle position on the guideway; determine, after the processing circuitry wakes from the sleep state, a second vehicle position on the guideway; determine, after the processing circuitry wakes from the sleep state, any difference between the first vehicle position on the guideway and the second vehicle position on the guideway; determine a third vehicle position on the guideway using range measurements taken at configurable time intervals; and determine a vehicle speed where speed is measured as a change in the third vehicle position over time.

Abstract: A vehicle-position monitoring system includes liquid-capacitive inclinometer sensor, configured to provide a measurement of grade (?grade) of a surface over which a vehicle travels, and an accelerometer to measure acceleration of the vehicle along a principal axis (ax) of the vehicle along the surface. Direct measurement of the grade (?grade) provides a position-tracking system with accurate information to extract acceleration due to motoring and braking (aMB) form acceleration experienced along the principal axis and track vehicle position without regard to wheel diameter calibration.

Abstract: The vehicle odometry and motion direction system and method is described. The vehicle odometry and motion direction system and method determines if the first ground speed data is acceptable. Ground speed data is calculated for all targets within a radar's field of view and targets ground speed data is processed to determine second ground speed data. The vehicle odometry and motion direction system and method determines trusted ground speed data using first ground speed data and second ground speed data and adjusts the trusted ground speed data due to errors in radar Doppler speed data.

Abstract: A method for determining rail vehicle location and identifying obstacles, which includes operations of transmitting, from at least two vehicle beacons on a first vehicle, a ranging signal to at least two external beacons; receiving, at the at least two vehicle beacons, a return signal from the at least two external beacons; and determining, based on the return signal from the at least two external beacons, a position of each of the external beacons with respect to the at least two vehicle beacons of the first vehicle.

Abstract: A standalone odometry device includes an accelerometer and/or gyroscope configured to be mounted on a wheel or axle of a vehicle. A controller in communication with the accelerometer and/or gyroscope is configured to receive data from the accelerometer and/or gyroscope. The controller processes the data to determine one or more of the speed, wheel rotation direction, accumulated distance travelled, stationary status, acceleration, deceleration, wheel diameter, and grade of surface on which the wheel is in contact.