Train-Side Passive Magnetic Measurements

Kurzfassung

Passive magnetic sensors can measure the magnetic field density in three orthogonal axes and are often integrated on a single chip. These sensors are low-cost sensors and widely used in car navigation as well as in battery powered navigation equipment such as smartphones. There, its general purpose is the measurement of the heading angle by an electronically gimbaled compass technique. We are interested in train localization with multiple, exclusively onboard sensors and a track map. This approach is considered as a base technology for future railway applications, such as train-centric train control, collision avoidance systems and autonomous driving. It has been shown, that active magnetic measurements, such as a metal detector is very beneficial for onboard train localization. We are interested in the question: How beneficial are passive magnetic measurements for railway navigation? In this paper we present and analyze magnetic measurements recorded on a regional train at regular passenger service. We present promising correlations of the measurements with the train speed, track positions and the traveled switch way. We further present and analyze a conventional magnetic compass approach for railways.