Systems and methods are provided for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) based communications between moving vehicles and stationary communication systems located along tracks used by the vehicles. A vehicle-mounted system may include antenna sets, each including a plurality of antennas mounted onto a vehicle, with each plurality of antenna having at least two pairs of antennas with orthogonal polarization with respect to each other, and within each pair the antennas being configured to have full pattern diversity based on direction of travel. A stationary communication system may include antenna systems configured to provide at least two cross-polarized RF antenna patterns in the opposite directions along a particular track. The RF antenna patterns may overlap along a section of the track. The two antenna patterns may be utilized in receiving and/or transmitting two sets of different independent signal channels.

A method and apparatus to detect breaks in tracks and/or detect the presence of a vehicle, such as a train, in a monitored section of the track or rail. Embodiments of the present invention measure the change in track inductance associated with a track or rail break. Electrical shunts are connected between the rails at spaced-apart intervals (for example a shunt can be placed every mile). At least two different frequencies of alternating current are generated and fed into the segments of rail (for example at or near a mid-point between the shunts). If a rail break occurs, the total inductance of the rail at that segment will change. Using two or more frequencies allows a rail break to be differentiated from environmental rail-to-rail and rail-to-earth leakage.

A method and apparatus to detect breaks in tracks and/or detect the presence of a vehicle, such as a train, in a monitored section of the track or rail. Embodiments of the present invention measure the change in track inductance associated with a track or rail break. Electrical shunts are connected between the rails at spaced-apart intervals (for example a shunt can be placed every mile). At least two different frequencies of alternating current are generated and fed into the segments of rail (for example at or near a mid-point between the shunts). If a rail break occurs, the total inductance of the rail at that segment will change. Using two or more frequencies allows a rail break to be differentiated from environmental rail-to-rail and rail-to-earth leakage.

A railroad measurement system includes a railroad track powered measurement device providing measurement signals of electrical quantities across rails of a railroad track; a wayside control device adapted to receive the measurement signals provided by the railroad track powered measurement device; and a communication network interfacing with the railroad track powered measurement device and adapted to transmit data, wherein the railroad track powered measurement device is adapted to transmit the measurement signals of the electrical quantities via the communication network, and the wayside control device is adapted to receive the measurement signals.

A method for detecting broken rail and track occupancies measures both the electrical current and voltage on each end of the block of track. This allows a broken rail to be detected even with a shunting axle (occupancy) in the same detection block. The method also provides broken rail detection capability to support modes of operation in which a following train maintains safe spacing from a leading train without the use of track circuit information for train location, allowing for reduced train spacing. The current and voltage measurements are used to make binary decisions, in order to minimize the sensitivity to variations in track impedance characteristics. When combined with train location information, this method also allows for identifying the location of a rail break.

An electrically insulating mechanical joint checker for mechanical joints connecting rails of following track segments of a railway line, each track segment forming part of a track circuit. The track segment includes electric signal transmitting units and receiving units for transmitting and receiving train presence detection signals within the track segment and/or relating communication signals between the train and the track segment. The train presence detection signals and communication signals include a further joint detection signal, generated and transmitted by the transmitting units and received by the receiving units belonging to the same track segment, the joint detection signal relating to the track segment being different at least in respect to the one relating to the adjacent track segments. A method to detect a failure or breakage of a mechanical joint inside a track segment is also disclosed.

An electrically insulating mechanical joint checker for mechanical joints connecting rails of following track segments of a railway line, each track segment forming part of a track circuit. The track segment includes electric signal transmitting units and receiving units for transmitting and receiving train presence detection signals within the track segment and/or relating communication signals between the train and the track segment. The train presence detection signals and communication signals include a further joint detection signal, generated and transmitted by the transmitting units and received by the receiving units belonging to the same track segment, the joint detection signal relating to the track segment being different at least in respect to the one relating to the adjacent track segments. A method to detect a failure or breakage of a mechanical joint inside a track segment is also disclosed.

A system for detecting the presence of a train on a railway track (1b) comprising a plurality of sections (2a, 2b, . . . , 2n), the system comprising: a transmitter (10b) arranged to emit a main signal towards the plurality of sections (2a, 2b, . . . , 2n); a plurality of selecting devices (14a, 14b, . . . , 14n) associated respectively to the plurality of sections (2a, 2b, . . . , 2n) along the railway track (1b) and arranged to selectively allow passage of said main signal towards respective sections of said plurality of sections (2a, 2b, . . . , 2n); a receiver (12b) arranged to receive the main signal after having passed through the plurality of sections (2a, 2b, . . . , 2n); a control unit (20) associated to said receiver (12b) arranged to perform an analysis of said received signal so as to detect the presence of a train on a predetermined section (2a, 2b, . . . , 2n) of said plurality of sections (2a, 2b, 2n).

The system can include: a motion planner and a switch management system. The system can optionally include or operate in conjunction with a vehicle controller, a user interface (UI), and a track data system. However, the system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to facilitate vehicle control and/or manage authority, in the form of exclusive track reservations, within a rail network. Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to manage switch positions (and/or operation based on switch positions) within a rail network.

A coded track circuit of a signaling control equipment to be located at a wayside location of a railway track is provided. The coded track circuit comprises a first track circuit card coupled to rails of the railway track to detect an absence of a train on the railway track, inform signallers and control relevant signals via track codes. The coded track circuit further comprises a second track circuit card coupled to rails of the railway track, the second track circuit card is inactive but ready to provide a warm-standby or a hot-standby such that the second track circuit card to take over control from the first track circuit card should the first track circuit card fails.