A railroad car location, speed and heading sensor system including at least one self-powered, tie-mounted sensor node that is applicable universally to different railroad settings without using track circuits, inductive loops, radar systems, and wheel counters and associated disadvantages. Reliable and relatively low cost deterministic and redundant car presence detection is realized when multiple sensor nodes are arranged in a network, which may be a wireless mesh network, that is not affected by environmental conditions.

In one embodiment, a railroad scout vehicle system includes a scout vehicle and a processing unit. The scout vehicle may include at least two wheels configured to engage a set of railroad tracks, a motor mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels, a speed controller, an electromagnetic sensor aimed at the set of railroad tracks, a positioning receiver, a local speed sensing device and a transceiver. The speed controller may be coupled to the motor and configured to control the speed of the scout vehicle in order to maintain an appropriate distance between the scout vehicle and a train traveling behind. The processing unit may be configured to transmit the track status information via the transceiver, receive train speed and position signals from the train via the transceiver.

An anti-collision system for railcars and locomotives and, more particularly, to a distance ranging and worker coupling protection system utilizes remote-sensing radar techniques for use with a locomotive and railcar. The anti-collision system may include an object detector device attached to a railcar or a locomotive that detects objects in a path of the railcar and the locomotive and a train display device electrically connected to the object detector device. The anti-collision system may also include an emergency action device which enables a crew member to stop the railcar or locomotive without communication to a locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized. The object detector device may include a remote sensor, a radio, and a microprocessor programmed to include data-logging to record and log all data from the anti-collision system.

A railroad car location, speed and heading sensor system including at least one self-powered, tie-mounted sensor node that is applicable universally to different railroad settings without using track circuits, inductive loops, radar systems, and wheel counters and associated disadvantages. Reliable and relatively low cost deterministic and redundant car presence detection is realized when multiple sensor nodes are arranged in a network, which may be a wireless mesh network, that is not affected by environmental conditions.

An anti-collision system for railcars and locomotives provides a distance ranging and worker coupling protection system utilizing remote-sensing radar techniques for use with a locomotive and railcar. The anti-collision system may include an object detector device attached to a railcar or a locomotive that detects objects in a path of the railcar and the locomotive and a train display device electrically connected to the object detector device. The anti-collision system may also include an emergency action device which enables a crew member to stop the railcar or locomotive without communication to a locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized. The object detector device may include a remote sensor, a radio, and a microprocessor programmed to include data-logging to record and log all data from the anti-collision system.

A sensor device for vehicles is disclosed and includes a system with an electronic navigation sensor, a multi-spectral data sensor, a router for receiving data from each sensor, a communications device connected to the router for communicating data, and a computer processor. The computer processor is used to receive data from each sensor, store real time data from each sensor, and store a master data sequence file of data previously collected from the same operating track. The sensor device has software on the computer processor which is programmed to correlate data from the sensors with data from a master data sequence file for the given track, make inferences based on data about an event, and communicate alarms as programmed.

In accordance with various implementations, a radar system comprising a non-line of sight (NLOS) module to enhance operation of the radar system is provided. In various embodiments, the NLOS module is a radar repeater module with phase shifters to generate an indication of an object detected in a NLOS area. In various embodiments, the NLOS module includes a reflector structure configured to reflect or redirect radar signals from a train on the tracks into a NLOS area. The NLOS module can include a receive antenna, a transmit antenna configured to transmit one or more received radar signals into a NLOS area, and a phase shifting module for applying a phase shift to a radar signal reflected from an object in the NLOS area that is outside an operational range of the radar unit.

The present invention is an antenna provided with: a plurality of radiating parts formed on a base plate; a waveguide tube inside of which radio waves emitted from the radiating parts propagate; a lens having a plurality of curved surfaces having a substantially hyperbolic shape and disposed in an opening of the waveguide tube; and a protruding part formed in a tapered shape between the plurality of radiating parts. The tip of the protruding part is formed at a position lower than an opening surface.

An anti-collision system for railcars and locomotives provides a distance ranging and worker coupling protection system utilizing remote-sensing radar techniques for use with a locomotive and railcar. The anti-collision system may include an object detector device attached to a railcar or a locomotive that detects objects in a path of the railcar and the locomotive and a train display device electrically connected to the object detector device. The anti-collision system may also include an emergency action device which enables a crew member to stop the railcar or locomotive without communication to a locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized. The object detector device may include a remote sensor, a radio, and a microprocessor programmed to include data-logging to record and log all data from the anti-collision system.

A method for detecting a target object implemented by a detection apparatus, where the detection apparatus transmits a radio signal on a frequency band on which mutual interference can be avoided to avoid or reduce interference caused by a transmit signal or a related signal of any detection apparatus when another detection apparatus determines a target. The detection apparatus divides a frequency band or a frequency domain raster based on a determined threshold to allow partial overlapping between frequency bands or rasters.