JP7794773B2 - On-board equipment and data management equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to on-board devices mounted on trains.

A known technology for wirelessly communicating between onboard equipment on trains and ground-side equipment (ground equipment) to send and receive necessary data is to select a communication medium with good radio wave conditions from among multiple communication media (see Patent Document 1). Another known technology stores information indicating the communication medium with good radio wave conditions for each travel section in advance, and switches the communication medium to be used depending on the train's current traveling position (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-159873 International Publication No. 2017/183205

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide technology for reliably conducting wireless communication for train control with ground equipment using a new method that uses an index different from the radio wave conditions disclosed in the technologies of Patent Documents 1 and 2.

The first invention for solving the above problem is an on-board device mounted on a train that performs wireless communication for train control with ground equipment via a wireless communication network, and includes: N wireless communication means (e.g., first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, 110c shown in FIG. 5) corresponding to each of N types (N≧2) of wireless communication networks; a memory unit (e.g., on-board memory unit 190 shown in FIG. 5) that stores communication survey data that measures and/or evaluates communications between the train and the ground equipment via each of the N wireless communication means for each running position of the train; and a switching control unit (e.g., switching control unit 163 shown in FIG. 5) that controls switching between the wireless communication means to be used for the train control wireless communication from among the N wireless communication means based on the communication survey data corresponding to the current running position of the train.

According to the first invention, the on-board equipment stores communication survey data that measures and/or evaluates communications with the ground equipment for each of the N wireless communication means for each train's running position. The communication survey data according to the train's current running position can then be used to switch between the wireless communication means. This makes it possible to reliably perform wireless communication for train control with the ground equipment.

The second invention is an on-board device in the above invention, further comprising a communication check data update control means (for example, the measurement data update control unit 165 and evaluation data update control unit 167 shown in Figure 5) that attempts communication with the ground device using any one of the N wireless communication means when wireless communication for train control is not being performed, acquires new communication check data corresponding to the running position and the wireless communication means used at the time of the attempt, and updates the contents stored in the memory unit.

According to the second invention, when the train is running and no train control wireless communication is being performed, communication with the ground equipment can be attempted using any of the wireless communication means, and new communication investigation data related to the wireless communication means used can be obtained for the running position at the time of the attempt. Therefore, it is possible to update the stored contents of the communication investigation data for each running position related to each of the N wireless communication means at any time.

The third invention is an on-board device in the above invention, in which the communication survey data is stored for each running position and running direction of the train, and the switching control means controls switching of the wireless communication means used for the train control wireless communication based on the communication survey data corresponding to the current running position and running direction of the train.

According to the third invention, communication survey data for each of the N wireless communication means for each running position is stored for each running direction, and the wireless communication means to be used for train control wireless communication can be switched using the communication survey data according to the train's current running position and running direction.

A fourth invention is an on-board device in the above invention, in which the communication survey data is stored for each running position and each running speed range of the train, and the switching control means controls switching of the wireless communication means used for the train control wireless communication based on the communication survey data corresponding to the current running position and running speed range of the train.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, communication survey data for each of the N wireless communication means for each running position and running speed range is stored, and the wireless communication means to be used for train control wireless communication can be switched using the communication survey data according to the train's current running position and running speed range.

The fifth invention is an on-board device in the above invention, in which the communication survey data is stored for each running position and time period of the train, and the switching control means controls switching of the wireless communication means used for the train control wireless communication based on the communication survey data corresponding to the current running position and time period of the train.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, communication survey data for each of the N wireless communication means for each running position is stored by time period, and the wireless communication means to be used for train control wireless communication can be switched using the communication survey data according to the train's current running position and time period.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is an on-board device in which the communication survey data is measurement data of the communication time or communication speed between the on-board device and the track-side device, or data evaluating the measurement data.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the wireless communication means used for train control wireless communication can be switched using the communication time and communication speed with the ground equipment.

a communication attempt control means for performing a communication attempt with the ground device using one of the N wireless communication means when the train control wireless communication is not being performed, thereby obtaining the communication attempt result data including the running position at the time of the attempt and information about the wireless communication means used; and an acquisition means (e.g., an acquisition unit 31 shown in FIG. 9 ) for acquiring the communication attempt result data obtained by the communication attempt control means from the on-board device. The data management device further comprises: an acquisition means (e.g., an acquisition unit 31 shown in FIG. 9 ) for acquiring the communication attempt result data obtained by the communication attempt control means from the on-board device; and a communication attempt data creation means (e.g., a communication attempt data creation unit 33 shown in FIG. 9 ) for creating communication attempt data that measures and/or evaluates communications with the ground device using each of the N wireless communication means for each running position, based on the communication attempt result data acquired by the acquisition means.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, trial result data for each wireless communication means for each travel position can be collected from the on-board device. Then, based on the collected trial result data, communication survey data for each travel position for each wireless communication means can be created.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining wireless communication between an on-board device and a central device. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a train control system. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of communication measurement history data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of communication evaluation data. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an on-board device. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the on-board device. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a measurement data update control process. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of communication evaluation data in a modified example. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a central device in a modified example.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, in the drawings, identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating wireless communication between an on-board device 10 and a central device 30 in the train control system of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the train control system of this embodiment includes an on-board device 10 mounted on a train 1 running on a track 9, and a central device 30, which is a ground device, and is connected to enable data transmission and reception between them by wireless communication via a wireless communication network 7.

The on-board device 10 measures the current running position of the train 1, and controls the running of the train 1 by communicating wirelessly with the central device 30 for train control to acquire control information necessary for the running of the train 1 as needed. Specifically, the on-board device 10 generates a speed pattern for the train 1 according to the control information from the central device 30, and controls the running of the train 1 according to the generated speed pattern.

Here, the communication environment between the on-board equipment 10 and the central equipment 30 changes depending on the running position of the train 1. This is because the positional relationship with surrounding obstacles such as buildings and trees changes depending on the running position, and the distance to the base station with which the train is communicating also changes. Therefore, in this embodiment, the on-board equipment 10 is configured to have N wireless communication units corresponding to each of the N types (N≧2) of wireless communication networks 7.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a train control system in this embodiment. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the on-board device 10 is equipped with three wireless communication units (first to third wireless communication units) 110a, 110b, and 110c, and is configured to be able to communicate wirelessly with the central device 30 via three corresponding wireless communication networks (first to third wireless communication networks) 7a, 7b, and 7c. More specifically, the first to third wireless communication networks 7a, 7b, and 7c are wireless communication networks such as mobile phone lines provided by different telecommunications carriers (communications carriers a, b, and c). The on-board device 10 then switches the wireless communication unit to be used depending on the current running position of the train 1, and performs wireless communication for train control with the central device 30 via the wireless communication network 7 of the corresponding telecommunications carrier.

To this end, the on-board equipment 10 stores, as communication survey data, communication measurement data measuring communications between the central unit 30 and each of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c for each running position of the train 1 (see communication measurement history data 191 in FIG. 3), and also stores communication evaluation data evaluating, for each running position, communications with the central unit 30 when each of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c is used based on the communication measurement history data 191 (see communication evaluation data 193 in FIG. 4). While the train 1 is running, the on-board equipment 10 executes a switching control process to switch the wireless communication unit to be used for train control wireless communications with the central unit 30 from among the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c based on the communication evaluation value corresponding to the current running position of the train 1.

Furthermore, while the train 1 is running and no wireless communication for train control is being performed, the on-board equipment 10 attempts to communicate with the central unit 30 using one of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c, and executes a measurement data update control process to update the communication measurement history data 191. Then, at a predetermined timing, such as after the train has finished operating, the on-board equipment 10 aggregates and evaluates the communication measurement history data 191, and executes an evaluation data update control process to update the communication evaluation data 193.

1. Regarding Communication Measurement History Data FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the communication measurement history data 191. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication measurement history data 191 is a data table that accumulates communication measurement data acquired for each of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c for each running position. The communication measurement history data 191 may be configured to accumulate all previously acquired communication measurement data, or may be configured to accumulate communication measurement data for the most recent predetermined period of time. When storing the predetermined period of time, the period may be set appropriately, for example, one month, one week, or three days. Furthermore, the running position may be, for example, a position at a predetermined unit distance from the starting point of the track section on which the train is running. The unit distance may be set appropriately, for example, to 100 m.

In this embodiment, during the measurement data update control process, while the train 1 is running, the communication time between the train and the central unit 30 is measured for each running position when using any of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c. The communication time is the response time for a specified communication partner (in this case, the central unit 30), and can be measured using a predetermined response time measurement process appropriate for the wireless communication network 7. For example, if the wireless communication network 7 is an IP network, it can be measured using a ping command. The measured communication time is then associated with the measurement date and time, treated as communication measurement data for the running position, and stored in the on-board device 10 as communication measurement history data 191.

2. Measurement Data Update Control Process In the measurement data update control process, while the train 1 is running and no wireless communication for train control is being performed, the on-board equipment 10 attempts communication with the central unit 30 using any of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c, and measures the communication time. In this embodiment, the on-board equipment 10 executes the measurement data update control process for each running position (i.e., each time the train 1 travels a predetermined unit distance). Specifically, for example, the on-board equipment 10 acquires the communication time by selecting a time when no wireless communication for train control is being performed and executing a ping command to the central unit 30.

Which wireless communication unit to use for communication is determined by comparing the measurement dates and times of the acquired communication measurement data related to the current running position of train 1. For example, if train 1's current running position is "5k100m" in Figure 3, the on-board equipment 10 refers to the measurement dates and times of the most recently measured communication measurement data (the three enclosed by dashed lines) of the corresponding first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c, and selects the wireless communication unit with the oldest measurement date and time. In the example of Figure 3, the third wireless communication unit 110c would be selected. In this case, the on-board equipment 10 executes a ping command to the central unit 30 using the third wireless communication unit 110c, associates the obtained response time (communication time) with the current time (measurement date and time), and adds this to the communication measurement history data 191 as new communication measurement data for the third wireless communication unit 110c at that running position. In this embodiment, the communication measurement history data 191 is compiled and evaluated approximately once a day after train 1 has finished operating that day. Furthermore, train 1 runs along the same track multiple times during the day. For this reason, it is not necessary to acquire communication measurement data relating to all wireless communication units in one run. It is sufficient that the communication measurement data relating to each wireless communication unit is eventually added to the communication measurement history data 191 over the course of multiple runs.

As described above, in this embodiment, one of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c is selected for each running position and communication with the central device 30 is attempted, but this is not limited to this. For example, if there is enough time for the attempt, communication with the central device 30 may be attempted for all of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c for each running position, and the communication time may be measured. In other words, communication measurement data for all wireless communication units may be obtained in a single run. Alternatively, communication may be attempted at any time when wireless communication for train control is not being performed, regardless of the running position, and the communication time may be measured. In this case, the measured communication time is associated with the measurement date and time, and added as communication measurement data for the running position at the time of the attempt, thereby updating the communication measurement history data 191.

3. Communication Evaluation Data Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the communication evaluation data 193. As shown in Fig. 4, the communication evaluation data 193 is a data table that stores evaluation results of the corresponding communication measurement data for each of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c for each traveling position.

In this embodiment, the communication measurement data stored in the communication measurement history data 191 is evaluated in the evaluation data update control process. The evaluation is performed, for example, on a five-point scale ranging from "A" to "E" in descending order, and the latest evaluation result (a communication evaluation value of "A" to "E") is set in the communication evaluation data 193.

4. Evaluation Data Update Control Process In this embodiment, the on-board equipment 10 executes the evaluation data update control process, for example, after the train 1 has finished operating, to update the communication evaluation data 193. In the evaluation data update control process, the on-board equipment 10 references the communication measurement history data 191 and sequentially evaluates the communication measurement data of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c for each running position. Specifically, focusing on one wireless communication unit for one running position, the on-board equipment 10 first calculates the average communication time (average communication time) of each communication measurement data associated with that wireless communication unit for that running position. This process aggregates the communication measurement data, including the communication time measured during the day's operation. Next, the on-board equipment 10 evaluates the calculated average communication time on a five-level scale, from "A" to "E." This process can be achieved by presetting the relationship between the length of the average communication time and the communication evaluation value (A to E), so that the shorter the average communication time, the higher the evaluation.

5. Regarding the Switching Control Process In the switching control process, while the train 1 is running, the on-board equipment 10 controls switching of the wireless communication unit used in wireless communication for train control for each running position in accordance with the communication evaluation data 193. Specifically, the on-board equipment 10 reads the communication evaluation values of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c corresponding to the current running position of the train 1 from the communication evaluation data 193, and controls switching to the wireless communication unit with the highest communication evaluation value. As a result, the wireless communication unit used in wireless communication for train control is switched to the wireless communication unit with the shortest average communication time and the highest evaluation for each running position.

6. Functional Configuration Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the on-board device 10. As shown in Fig. 5, the on-board device 10 includes a first wireless communication unit 110a, a second wireless communication unit 110b, a third wireless communication unit 110c, an operation input unit 130, a display unit 150, an on-board control unit 160, and an on-board storage unit 190.

The operation input unit 130 is an input device having, for example, switches, buttons, etc., and outputs operation signals corresponding to operation inputs to the on-board control unit 160. The display unit 150 is realized by, for example, a lamp or LCD display device, etc., and displays information corresponding to display signals from the on-board control unit 160.

The on-board control unit 160 comprehensively controls the operation of the on-board equipment 10 based on control information and the like from the central unit 30. The on-board control unit 160 includes a running position calculation unit 161, a switching control unit 163, a measurement data update control unit 165, and an evaluation data update control unit 167. Each of these functional units may be an arithmetic processing block realized as software by executing a program, or may be a circuit block realized by a signal processing circuit. In this embodiment, they are described as arithmetic processing blocks realized as software by the on-board control unit 160 executing a predetermined program.

The running position calculation unit 161 calculates the current running position (running distance) of the train itself based on the detection signal from a rotation detector (not shown), such as a pulse generator or tachometer generator, which detects the rotation of the wheels or axles. The calculated running position is stored in the on-board memory unit 190 as running position information 195.

The switching control unit 163 is a functional unit that executes switching control processing. It reads the communication evaluation values of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c corresponding to the current running position of the train 1 from the communication evaluation data 193, and controls switching of the wireless communication unit to be used for train control wireless communication. In this embodiment, the switching control unit 163 controls switching to the wireless communication unit with the highest communication evaluation value each time the train 1 runs a predetermined unit distance, in accordance with the running position information 195.

The measurement data update control unit 165 is a functional unit that executes the measurement data update control process. While the train 1 is running and no wireless communication for train control is being performed, the measurement data update control unit 165 attempts communication with the central device 30 using one of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c, and measures the communication time. In this embodiment, the measurement data update control unit 165 executes the measurement data update control process each time the train 1 travels a predetermined unit distance in accordance with the running position information 195. The measurement data update control unit 165 then associates the obtained communication time with the measurement date and time, and adds it to the communication measurement history data 191 as new communication measurement data related to the wireless communication unit that attempted communication.

The evaluation data update control unit 167 is a functional unit that executes evaluation data update control processing. In this embodiment, after the train 1 has finished operating, the evaluation data update control unit 167 aggregates the communication measurement history data 191, which includes communication measurement data newly measured and added during the day's operation, and updates the communication evaluation data 193. Specifically, the evaluation data update control unit 167 calculates the average communication time for the communication measurement data of each of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c for each running position. The evaluation data update control unit 167 then evaluates the calculated average communication time on a five-point scale from "A" to "E" and updates the communication evaluation data 193.

The on-board storage unit 190 is realized by a storage medium such as an IC memory or a hard disk. This on-board storage unit 190 stores in advance or temporarily stores each processing operation programs for operating the on-board device 10 and implementing the various functions of the on-board device 10, as well as data used during the execution of the programs. In this embodiment, the on-board storage unit 190 stores communication measurement history data 191 (see Figure 3), communication evaluation data 193 (see Figure 4), and traveling position information 195.

6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to switching of the wireless communication unit, which is performed by the on-board device 10. While the train 1 is running, the switching control unit 163 executes switching control processing for each running position (each time the train 1 runs a predetermined unit distance) (step S1). That is, the switching control unit 163 refers to the communication evaluation data 193 and controls switching to the wireless communication unit with the highest communication evaluation value at that running position.

Next, the measurement data update control unit 165 executes the measurement data update control process, measures communications with the central device 30 using one of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c, and measures new communication measurement data for the current running position of the train 1 (step S3). Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the measurement data update control process.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the measurement data update control process, if wireless communication for train control is not being performed (step S31: NO), the process proceeds to step S33. If wireless communication for train control is being performed (step S31: YES), the process waits for the wireless communication to end before proceeding to step S33. Then, in step S33, the measurement data update control unit 165 selects a wireless communication unit to attempt communication with from among the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c. For example, by referring to the communication measurement history data 191, the process reads out the measurement date and time of the most recently measured communication measurement data from the communication measurement data of each of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c that corresponds to the current running position of the train 1. The wireless communication unit with the oldest read measurement date and time is then selected.

Next, the measurement data update control unit 165 attempts to communicate with the central device 30 using the wireless communication unit selected in step S33 and measures the communication time (step S35). The measurement data update control unit 165 then associates the communication time measured in step S35 with the measurement date and time, treats it as new communication measurement data related to the wireless communication unit at the current driving position, and adds it to the communication measurement history data 191 (step S37).

Once the measurement data update control process has been executed, the process proceeds to step S5 in Figure 6, and if train 1's operation has ended (step S5: NO), the process returns to step S1 and repeats the above process.

Also, when train 1 has finished operating (step S5: YES), the evaluation data update control unit 167 executes the evaluation data update control process to update the communication evaluation data 193 (step S7). In this embodiment, the evaluation data update control unit 167 aggregates the communication measurement data of each of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c for each running position, evaluates it on a five-point scale from "A" to "E," and sets the evaluation data in the communication evaluation data 193.

As described above, according to this embodiment, while the train 1 is traveling, it is possible to perform wireless communication for train control at its current traveling position using a wireless communication unit that has a shorter average communication time for communication with the central device 30 and is highly rated. This makes it possible to reliably perform wireless communication for train control with the central device 30.

Note that the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and components can be added, omitted, or modified as appropriate.

[Modification 1]
For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the communication time with the central device 30 is measured as communication measurement data and added to the communication measurement history data 191, and the measured communication time is evaluated to update the communication evaluation data 193. In contrast to this, a configuration may be adopted in which the communication speed with the central device 30 is measured as communication measurement data and added to the communication measurement history data, and the measured communication speed is evaluated to update the communication evaluation data.

[Modification 2]
In the above embodiment, a position at a predetermined unit distance from the starting point of the track section along which the train runs is defined as a running position, and a measurement data update control process is executed for each running position (i.e., each time the train runs a predetermined unit distance) to measure the communication time. Then, control is performed to switch the wireless communication unit used in the train control wireless communication for each running position based on communication evaluation data obtained by evaluating the communication measurement data at each running position. Alternatively, the track section along which the train runs may be divided into multiple sections based on the surrounding topography and the surrounding environment, such as whether the train is located in an urban area or in the mountains, and the boundary positions of each section may be set as measurement positions. Then, the measurement data update control process may be executed when the running position passes a measurement position, and control is performed to switch the wireless communication unit used in the train control wireless communication for each section based on communication evaluation data obtained by evaluating the communication measurement data at each measurement position.

[Modification 3]
In the above embodiment, communication measurement data is acquired every time the train runs, and the communication measurement history data is compiled and evaluated at a predetermined timing, such as after the train has finished running, to update the communication evaluation data. However, the acquisition of communication measurement data and the updating of communication evaluation data may be performed at predetermined intervals, such as once a week or once a month. That is, for example, communication measurement data may be acquired while the train is running on a predetermined day each month, and the communication evaluation data may be updated after the train has finished running on that day.

[Modification 4]
In the above embodiment, the communication inspection data is configured to store communication measurement data that measures communication with the central device 30 and communication evaluation data that evaluates the communication. However, it is also possible to store either the communication measurement data or the communication evaluation data as the communication inspection data. In that case, control is performed to switch the wireless communication unit used for train control wireless communication for each running position based on the communication inspection data.

[Modification 5]
Furthermore, when applied to on-board equipment for a train traveling on a double-track section where the inbound and outbound tracks are different, communication survey data (e.g., the communication measurement data and communication evaluation data in the above embodiment) may be stored separately for each traveling direction. In this case, when the train 1 is traveling in the upbound direction, the on-board equipment 10 uses the upbound communication evaluation data to control switching of the wireless communication unit (the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c in the above embodiment) to be used for each traveling position, and updates the upbound communication measurement history data by adding the communication measurement data as needed. On the other hand, when the train is traveling in the downbound direction, the on-board equipment 10 uses the downbound communication evaluation data to control switching of the wireless communication unit to be used for each traveling position, and updates the downbound communication measurement history data by adding the communication measurement data as needed. After the train has finished traveling, the on-board equipment 10 compiles and evaluates the upbound and downbound communication measurement data and updates the corresponding communication evaluation data. When the inbound and outbound tracks are different, the actual locations where wireless communication is performed in the upbound and downbound directions differ even if the distance between the trains is the same. Therefore, this method is more suitable when managing the traveling position in kilometers.

[Modification 6]
Furthermore, for example, when trains of different types, such as local trains, rapid trains, and limited express trains, operate at different speeds, communication survey data (communication measurement data and communication evaluation data) may be stored for each speed range. In this case, the on-board equipment 10 controls switching of the wireless communication unit used for each running position using communication evaluation data corresponding to the train's running speed range, and updates the communication measurement history data for the corresponding running speed range by adding the communication measurement data as needed. After the train has finished running, the on-board equipment 10 aggregates and evaluates the communication measurement data for each running speed range and updates the corresponding communication evaluation data. When the on-board equipment 10 installed on a running train wirelessly communicates with ground equipment via the wireless communication network 7, handover between base stations on the wireless communication network 7 is required. The higher the running speed, the more frequently handovers are required. Therefore, depending on the running position and speed range, differences in communication time between the wireless communication network 7 and the ground equipment may occur. Therefore, this method is more suitable for railway lines where multiple train types operate. Furthermore, since the base stations that perform handover are different in the uplink and downlink directions, a method that combines the third and fourth modifications is also preferable.

[Modification 7]
Furthermore, the evaluation of the communication measurement data may be performed separately for each of a plurality of time periods. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the communication evaluation data in this modified example. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the communication measurement data is compiled and evaluated for each of three time periods: morning, afternoon, and evening. In this modified example, the on-board device 10 compiles the communication measurement data of each of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c at each traveling position for each time period in the evaluation data update control process. That is, the average communication time is calculated based on the communication measurement data measured in the morning time period, and the calculated average communication time is evaluated. Similarly, the communication measurement data is compiled and evaluated for the daytime and evening time periods, and the communication evaluation data is updated.

While train 1 is running, the communication evaluation values for each of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c corresponding to the current time zone are read from the communication evaluation data for each running position and used to switch the wireless communication unit to be used. In other words, control is exercised to switch to the wireless communication unit with the highest communication evaluation value for the current time zone.

[Modification 8]
Alternatively, an external data management device may collect trial result data from each of the on-board devices 10 of the train 1 traveling on the track 9 and create communication investigation data from the collected trial result data. For example, the central device 30 may collect communication measurement data as trial result data from the on-board devices 10 and create communication evaluation data by aggregating and evaluating the collected communication measurement data. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the central device 30 in this case. As shown in FIG. 9, the central device 30 includes an acquisition unit 31 and a communication investigation data creation unit 33.

The acquisition unit 31 acquires and collects trial result data from each on-board device 10 of a train traveling on the track 9. To do this, the on-board device 10 transmits the trial result data to the central device 30 via the wireless communication network 7, etc., at a predetermined timing, such as after the train has finished operating. Specifically, it controls the transmission of trial result data that associates the running position and information indicating the wireless communication unit used with each piece of newly acquired communication measurement data during the day's operation.

The communication check data creation unit 33 creates communication evaluation data that evaluates the communications between the central device 30 and each of the first to third wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c for each traveling position based on the trial result data acquired by the acquisition unit 31. The communication check data creation unit 33 then transmits the created communication evaluation data to each on-board unit 10. The on-board unit 10 uses the communication evaluation data transmitted from the central device 30 to control switching of the wireless communication unit to be used for each traveling position.

[Modification 9]
In the above embodiment, the central unit 30 is used as an example of the ground equipment, and the wireless communication for train control between the on-board equipment 10 and the central unit 30 is described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to the case where wireless communication for train control is performed between station equipment, the railroad crossing control device 5 shown in Fig. 1, the point control device, or other ground equipment.

[Modification 10]
In the above embodiment, the on-board equipment 10 is illustrated as having three wireless communication units 110a, 110b, and 110c corresponding to the three wireless communication networks 7a, 7b, and 7c. However, the number of types of wireless communication networks may be two or more, and the on-board equipment 10 may be provided with corresponding wireless communication units. The combination of wireless communication networks to be adopted is not particularly limited. For example, the wireless communication network may use a mobile phone line provided by a telecommunications carrier, or may include a wireless LAN such as a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) network. It may also include a wireless communication network formed by installing a dedicated wireless base station along the track 9, or a wireless communication network formed by laying a loop antenna or a leaky coaxial cable (LCX) along the track 9. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which three types of wireless communication networks are adopted: a mobile phone line provided by a specific telecommunications carrier, a wireless LAN, and an LCX. In this case, the on-board equipment 10 is configured to include three wireless communication units corresponding to the respective wireless communication networks.

10 On-board device, 110a, 110b, 110c Wireless communication unit, 130 Operation input unit, 150 Display unit, 160 On-board control unit, 161 Running position calculation unit, 163 Switching control unit, 165 Measurement data update control unit, 167 Evaluation data update control unit, 190 On-board memory unit, 191 Communication measurement history data, 193 Communication evaluation data, 195 Running position information, 30 Central unit, 31 Acquisition unit, 33 Communication survey data creation unit, 7 (7a, 7b, 7c) Wireless communication network, 1 Train, 5 Railroad crossing control unit, 9 Track

Claims (7)

An on-board device that performs train control wireless communication with a central device via a wireless communication network and is mounted on a train that runs on a predetermined track section multiple times a day ,
N wireless communication means corresponding to N types (N≧2) of wireless communication networks, respectively;
a storage unit that stores, for each running position on the running line , communication survey data including measurement data in which data measured from the communication response time between each of the N wireless communication means and the central device is associated with a measurement date and time, and evaluation data obtained by evaluating the measurement data after the end of the train's operation on that day ;
a switching control means for controlling switching of a wireless communication means to be used for the train control wireless communication from among the N wireless communication means based on the communication survey data corresponding to the current running position of the train;
a communication investigation data update control means for selecting one of the N wireless communication means as a wireless communication means to be measured based on the measurement date and time of the measurement data of each of the N wireless communication means corresponding to the current running position of the train when wireless communication for train control is not being performed, executing a response time measurement process between the central device and the wireless communication means to be measured and acquiring new measurement data corresponding to the running position and the wireless communication means to be measured, and updating the stored contents of the storage unit;
An on-board device comprising: the communication with the central device via the wireless communication network is communication of an IP network;
The response time measurement process is a measurement using a ping command.
The on-board device according to claim 1. The communication check data is stored for each running position and running direction of the train,
The switching control means controls switching of the wireless communication means used for the train control wireless communication based on the communication survey data corresponding to the current running position and running direction of the train.
The on-board device according to claim 1. The communication check data is stored for each running position and each running speed range of the train,
The switching control means controls switching of the wireless communication means to be used for the train control wireless communication based on the communication survey data corresponding to the current running position and running speed range of the train.
The on-board device according to claim 1. The communication inspection data is stored for each running position of the train and for each time period;
The switching control means controls switching of the wireless communication means used for the train control wireless communication based on the communication survey data corresponding to the current running position and time zone of the train.
The on-board device according to claim 1. The communication survey data is stored as data for each section obtained by dividing the traveling line into a plurality of sections,
the switching control means controls switching of the wireless communication means used for the train control wireless communication based on the communication survey data corresponding to the new section when the current running position of the train enters the new section;
the communication check data update control means executes the response time measurement process when the current running position of the train enters a new section, acquires new communication check data corresponding to the new section, and updates the stored contents of the storage unit.
The on-board device according to claim 1. A data management device that performs train control wireless communication with a central device via a wireless communication network, and collects and evaluates measurement data of communication response time between on-board devices mounted on trains that run on a predetermined railroad section multiple times a day and the central device,
the on-board device comprises: N wireless communication means corresponding to each of the N types (N≧2) of wireless communication networks; a memory unit that stores, for each running position on the running line, communication inspection data including measurement data in which data of communication response times between each of the N wireless communication means and the central device is associated with a measurement date and time; and evaluation data in which the measurement data is evaluated after the end of the train's operation for that day; a switching control unit that controls switching of a wireless communication means to be used for wireless communication for train control from among the N wireless communication means, based on the communication inspection data corresponding to the current running position of the train; and a measurement execution control unit that, when wireless communication for train control is not being performed, selects one of the N wireless communication means as a wireless communication means to be measured , based on the measurement date and time of the measurement data of each of the N wireless communication means corresponding to the current running position of the train, and executes a response time measurement process between the central device and the selected wireless communication means to acquire new measurement data corresponding to the running position and the selected wireless communication means, thereby updating the stored content of the memory unit .
an acquisition unit that acquires the measurement data stored in the storage unit from the on-board device;
an evaluation data creation means for creating an evaluation data for updating the evaluation data by evaluating a communication response time between the central device and each of the N wireless communication means for each traveling position based on the measurement data acquired by the acquisition means;
A data management device comprising: