Abstract: A system (10) for sensing a condition of a rail vehicle undercarriage component (e.g., 18) includes a sensor (e.g., 12) comprising an array of infrared sensing elements (29). Each of the elements may be aimed at a different region of a target area (e.g., 32) of a rail vehicle undercarriage component to generate respective scanning waveform signature data corresponding to each different region. The sensor may be oriented so that at least one of the elements receives unobstructed infrared emissions (e.g., 33) from the undercarriage component of a rail vehicle passing the sensor. The system also includes a memory (42) for storing characteristic waveform signature data corresponding to known undercarriage components.

Abstract: A system (10) for sensing a condition of a rail vehicle undercarriage component (e.g., 18) includes a sensor (e.g., 12) comprising an array of infrared sensing elements (29). Each of the elements may be aimed at a different region of a target area (e.g., 32) of a rail vehicle undercarriage component to generate respective scanning waveform signature data corresponding to each different region. The sensor may be oriented so that at least one of the elements receives unobstructed infrared emissions (e.g., 33) from the undercarriage component of a rail vehicle passing the sensor. The system also includes a memory (42) for storing characteristic waveform signature data corresponding to known undercarriage components.

Abstract: A pulse shaper for compensating group runtime effects is provided. The pulse shaper comprising a first and a second dispersive element. An optical pulse can be coupled to the pulse shaper along a coupling direction such that said pulse exits from the pulse shaper after passing through the first and the second dispersive element along an exit direction. The first and the second dispersive element are formed and arranged to be movable relative to each other such that the path length to be traversed by the optical pulse through the first and the second dispersive element after coupling to the pulse shaper can be adjusted without any change in an offset between the coupling direction and the exit direction. The first and the second dispersive element are arranged in such a way that the shape of the optical pulse experiences a change as the pulse travels through the pulse shaper.

Abstract: A pulse shaper for compensating group runtime effects is provided. The pulse shaper comprising a first and a second dispersive element. An optical pulse can be coupled to the pulse shaper along a coupling direction such that said pulse exits from the pulse shaper after passing through the first and the second dispersive element along an exit direction. The first and the second dispersive element are formed and arranged to be movable relative to each other such that the path length to be traversed by the optical pulse through the first and the second dispersive element after coupling to the pulse shaper can be adjusted without any change in an offset between the coupling direction and the exit direction. The first and the second dispersive element are arranged in such a way that the shape of the optical pulse experiences a change as the pulse travels through the pulse shaper.

Abstract: A system (10) for sensing a condition of a rail vehicle undercarriage component (e.g., 18) includes a sensor (e.g., 12) comprising an array of infrared sensing elements (29). Each of the elements may be aimed at a different region of a target area (e.g., 32) of a rail vehicle undercarriage component to generate respective scanning waveform signature data corresponding to each different region. The sensor may be oriented so that at least one of the elements receives unobstructed infrared emissions (e.g., 33) from the undercarriage component of a rail vehicle passing the sensor. The system also includes a memory (42) for storing characteristic waveform signature data corresponding to known undercarriage components.

Abstract: A system (10) for sensing a condition of a rail vehicle undercarriage component (e.g., 18) includes a sensor (e.g., 12) comprising an array of infrared sensing elements (29). Each of the elements may be aimed at a different region of a target area (e.g., 32) of a rail vehicle undercarriage component to generate respective scanning waveform signature data corresponding to each different region. The sensor may be oriented so that at least one of the elements receives unobstructed infrared emissions (e.g., 33) from the undercarriage component of a rail vehicle passing the sensor. The system also includes a memory (42) for storing characteristic waveform signature data corresponding to known undercarriage components.