I.A.G.O.: Command Control Link Using Coded Waveguide

• Published in: Journal of transportation engineering Vol. 116; no. 4; pp. 427 - 435
• Main Authors: Heddebaut, M, Degauque, P, Duhot, D, Mainardi, J
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Reston, VA American Society of Civil Engineers 01-07-1990
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Railway transportation and traffic; SPECIAL SECTION: Intelligent Vehicle/Highway Systems; Positioning; Automation; Europe; Control system; Microwave; Telecommunication; Subways; Waveguide; Velocity; Research and development; Television; Automatic system; Rail traffic; France
• ISSN: 0733-947X; 1943-5436
• DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-947X(1990)116:4(427)

For vehicular communications in automated transportation systems, a very important problem is to maintain high-quality broadband communications at all locations. Furthermore, to achieve the automated navigation of vehicles, two pieces of information are of great necessity: the knowledge of the real speed of the vehicle and its absolute position along the track. Using a slotted specialized microwave waveguide, a new concept has been developed in France that allows the simultaneous transmission of several TV voice channels and high-capacity numerical transmissions. It also enables a high-precision speed measurement without mechanical contact with the ground. Lastly, using different orientations of the slots, a pseudo-random sequence is read while the vehicle moves along the track, so it is possible to conclude continuously on its absolute position. Working in the 2.4-2.5 GHz industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band with low radiated power (<dBm), the system exhibits a 100 MHz bandwidth with limited administrative problems. Its mechanical dimensions enable a rugged construction of the waveguide. Finally, a fairly low linear automation is obtained at this frequency (13-15 dB km), so that a minimum number of repeaters is required.