Apparatus for locating a mobile railway asset

1. An apparatus for locating a mobile railway asset, the apparatus comprising:

a limited power source;

global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry configured to utilize electrical power from the limited power source to receive GNSS data from satellites of a GNSS;

a controller operatively coupled to the limited power source and the GNSS circuitry, wherein the controller has:

a power saving mode wherein the controller inhibits the GNSS circuitry from receiving GNSS data;

a standard accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a first time period; and

a higher accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a second time period longer than the first time period;

the controller configured to enter the higher accuracy mode and permit the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for the second time period in response to a determination of a mobile railway asset event;

communication circuitry operatively coupled to the controller; and

the controller configured to, in response to the determination of the mobile railway asset event, control the communication circuitry to communicate to a remote computing device data indicative of a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the second time period of the higher accuracy mode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller is operably coupled to a sensor and the controller is configured to receive data from the sensor and the GNSS circuitry; and

wherein the controller is configured to determine the mobile railway asset event based at least in part on data from at least one of the sensor and the GNSS circuitry.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one sensor configured to detect at least one parameter of the mobile railway asset; and

the controller is configured to determine the mobile railway asset event in response to a change in the at least one parameter of the mobile railway asset.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of:

a temperature sensor;

a reed switch;

a pressure transducer;

a strain gauge;

a hall effect sensor;

a temperature sensor;

a limit switch;

an accelerometer;

a piezo-electric sensor;

a microphone;

an inductive-type sensor; and

a load cell.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to receive a request for location of the mobile railway asset from an external device; and

wherein the controller makes the determination of the mobile railway asset event upon the communication circuitry receiving the request for the location of the mobile railway asset from the external device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to determine a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the first time period, the controller further configured to determine the mobile railway asset event in response to the mobile railway asset location being within a predetermined area.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to communicate the data indicative of the location of the mobile railway asset to the remote computing device via a powered wireless gateway of a locomotive; and

wherein the communication circuitry is configured to wirelessly receive sensor data from a wireless sensor node configured to be mounted on the mobile railway asset.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to determine a location of the mobile railway asset by receiving GNSS data during the second time period and utilizing less than all of the GNSS data received during the second time period.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to determine an accuracy of the GNSS data and the controller is configured to determine a location of the mobile railway asset by utilizing GNSS data obtained during the second time period and having accuracy equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to determine an accuracy of the GNSS data, the controller further configured to set a duration of the second time period based at least in part on the accuracy of the GNSS data received during the second time period.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a housing configured to be mounted on a mobile railway asset and the limited power source, GNSS circuitry, and controller are in the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the limited power source includes at least one of:

one or more batteries;

one or more supercapacitors;

a solar panel;

a vibration energy harvesting device; and

a temperature difference energy harvesting device.

13. An apparatus for locating a mobile railway asset, the apparatus comprising:

a limited power source;

global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry configured to utilize electrical power from the limited power source to receive GNSS data from satellites of a GNSS;

a controller operatively coupled to the limited power source and the GNSS circuitry, wherein the controller has:

a power saving mode wherein the controller inhibits the GNSS circuitry from receiving GNSS data;

a standard accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a first time period; and

a higher accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a second time period longer than the first time period;

the controller configured to enter the higher accuracy mode and permit the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for the second time period in response to a determination of a mobile railway asset event;

communication circuitry operatively coupled to the controller and configured to communicate data indicative of a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the second time period;

wherein the controller, in the higher accuracy mode thereof, permits the GNSS circuitry to receive a first portion of the GNSS data in a first portion of the second time period and a second portion of the GNSS data in a second portion of the second time period after the first portion; and

the controller is further configured to determine a location of the mobile railway asset utilizing the second portion of the GNSS data but not the first portion of the GNSS data.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the second portion of the GNSS data of the second period includes a plurality of location readings, the controller configured to determine an accuracy of each of the location readings and determine the location of the mobile railway asset by utilizing location readings having an accuracy higher than a predetermined accuracy.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the controller is operably coupled to a sensor and the controller is configured to receive data from the sensor and the GNSS circuitry; and

wherein the controller is configured to determine the mobile railway asset event based at least in part on data from at least one of the sensor and the GNSS circuitry.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising at least one sensor configured to detect at least one parameter of the mobile railway asset; and

the controller is configured to determine the mobile railway asset event in response to a change in the at least one parameter of the mobile railway asset.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of:

a temperature sensor;

a reed switch;

a pressure transducer;

a strain gauge;

a hall effect sensor;

a temperature sensor;

a limit switch;

an accelerometer;

a piezo-electric sensor;

a microphone;

an inductive-type sensor; and

a load cell.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to receive a request for location of the mobile railway asset from an external device; and

wherein the controller makes the determination of the mobile railway asset event upon the communication circuitry receiving the request for the location of the mobile railway asset from the external device.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the controller is configured to determine a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the first time period, the controller further configured to determine the mobile railway asset event in response to the mobile railway asset location being within a predetermined area.

20. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to communicate the data indicative of the location of the mobile railway asset to a powered wireless gateway of a locomotive; and

wherein the communication circuitry is configured to wirelessly receive sensor data from a wireless sensor node configured to be mounted on the mobile railway asset.

21. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the controller is configured to determine the location of the mobile railway asset by utilizing less than all of the GNSS data received during the second time period.

22. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the controller is configured to determine an accuracy of the GNSS data and the controller is configured to determine a location of the mobile railway asset by utilizing GNSS data obtained during the second time period and having accuracy equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

23. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the controller is configured to determine an accuracy of the GNSS data, the controller further configured to set a duration of the second time period based at least in part on the accuracy of the GNSS data received during the second time period.

24. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a housing configured to be mounted on a mobile railway asset and the limited power source, GNSS circuitry, and controller are in the housing.

25. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the limited power source is a battery.

26. An apparatus for locating a mobile railway asset, the apparatus comprising:

a limited power source;

global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry configured to utilize electrical power from the limited power source to receive GNSS data from satellites of a GNSS;

a controller operatively coupled to the limited power source and the GNSS circuitry, wherein the controller has:

a power saving mode wherein the controller inhibits the GNSS circuitry from receiving GNSS data;

a standard accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a first time period; and

a higher accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a second time period longer than the first time period;

the controller configured to enter the higher accuracy mode and permit the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for the second time period in response to a determination of a mobile railway asset event; and

communication circuitry operatively coupled to the controller and configured to communicate data indicative of a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the second time period;

wherein the controller is configured to:

sort the GNSS data received during the second time period based on a measure of accuracy to form a sorted array of GNSS data;

discard a portion of the sorted GNSS data to form a final GNSS data; and

calculate the location of the mobile railway asset based on the final GNSS data.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the controller is operably coupled to a sensor and the controller is configured to receive data from the sensor and the GNSS circuitry; and

wherein the controller is configured to determine the mobile railway asset event based at least in part on data from at least one of the sensor and the GNSS circuitry.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising at least one sensor configured to detect at least one parameter of the mobile railway asset; and

the controller is configured to determine the mobile railway asset event in response to a change in the at least one parameter of the mobile railway asset.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of:

a temperature sensor;

a reed switch;

a pressure transducer;

a strain gauge;

a hall effect sensor;

a temperature sensor;

a limit switch;

an accelerometer;

a piezo-electric sensor;

a microphone;

an inductive-type sensor; and

a load cell.

30. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to receive a request for location of the mobile railway asset from an external device; and

wherein the controller makes the determination of the mobile railway asset event upon the communication circuitry receiving the request for the location of the mobile railway asset from the external device.

31. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the controller is configured to determine a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the first time period, the controller further configured to determine the mobile railway asset event in response to the mobile railway asset location being within a predetermined area.

32. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to communicate the data indicative of the location of the mobile railway asset to a powered wireless gateway of a locomotive; and

wherein the communication circuitry is configured to wirelessly receive sensor data from a wireless sensor node configured to be mounted on the mobile railway asset.

33. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the controller is configured to determine an accuracy of the GNSS data, the controller further configured to set a duration of the second time period based at least in part on the accuracy of the GNSS data received during the second time period.

34. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising a housing configured to be mounted on a mobile railway asset and the limited power source, GNSS circuitry, and controller are in the housing.

35. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the limited power source is a battery.

36. An apparatus for locating a mobile railway asset, the apparatus comprising:

a limited power source;

global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry configured to utilize electrical power from the limited power source to receive GNSS data from satellites of a GNSS;

a controller operatively coupled to the limited power source and the GNSS circuitry, wherein the controller has:

a power saving mode wherein the controller inhibits the GNSS circuitry from receiving GNSS data;

a standard accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a first time period; and

a higher accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a second time period longer than the first time period;

the controller configured to enter the higher accuracy mode and permit the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for the second time period in response to a determination of a mobile railway asset event; and

communication circuitry operatively coupled to the controller and configured to communicate data indicative of a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the second time period;

wherein the communication circuitry is configured to receive GNSS current location error data from a stationary gateway; and

the controller is configured to determine a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the first time period and the current location error data from the stationary gateway.

37. An apparatus for locating a mobile railway asset, the apparatus comprising:

a limited power source;

global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry configured to utilize electrical power from the limited power source to receive GNSS data from satellites of a GNSS;

a controller operatively coupled to the limited power source and the GNSS circuitry, wherein the controller has:

a power saving mode wherein the controller inhibits the GNSS circuitry from receiving GNSS data;

a standard accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a first time period; and

a higher accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a second time period longer than the first time period;

the controller configured to enter the higher accuracy mode and permit the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for the second time period in response to a determination of a mobile railway asset event; and

communication circuitry operatively coupled to the controller and configured to communicate data indicative of a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the second time period;

wherein the controller is configured to categorize the accuracy of each of the GNSS data based at least in part on satellite count, horizontal dilution of precision, or a combination thereof; and

the controller further configured to determine the location of the railway asset by utilizing GNSS data obtained during the second time period and having accuracy greater than a threshold accuracy.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the controller is operably coupled to a sensor and the controller is configured to receive data from the sensor and the GNSS circuitry; and

wherein the controller is configured to determine the mobile railway asset event based at least in part on data from at least one of the sensor and the GNSS circuitry.

39. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising at least one sensor configured to detect at least one parameter of the mobile railway asset; and

the controller is configured to determine the mobile railway asset event in response to a change in the at least one parameter of the mobile railway asset.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of:

a temperature sensor;

a reed switch;

a pressure transducer;

a strain gauge;

a hall effect sensor;

a temperature sensor;

a limit switch;

an accelerometer;

a piezo-electric sensor;

a microphone;

an inductive-type sensor; and

a load cell.

41. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to receive a request for location of the mobile railway asset from an external device; and

wherein the controller makes the determination of the mobile railway asset event upon the communication circuitry receiving the request for the location of the mobile railway asset from the external device.

42. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the controller is configured to determine a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the first time period, the controller further configured to determine the mobile railway asset event in response to the mobile railway asset location being within a predetermined area.

43. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to communicate the data indicative of the location of the mobile railway asset to a powered wireless gateway of a locomotive; and

wherein the communication circuitry is configured to wirelessly receive sensor data from a wireless sensor node configured to be mounted on the mobile railway asset.

44. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the controller is configured to determine an accuracy of the GNSS data, the controller further configured to set a duration of the second time period based at least in part on the accuracy of the GNSS data received during the second time period.

45. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising a housing configured to be mounted on a mobile railway asset and the limited power source, GNSS circuitry, and controller are in the housing.

46. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the limited power source is a battery.

47. A system comprising:

a mobile railway asset;

a limited power source;

global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry configured to utilize electrical power from the limited power source to receive GNSS data from satellites of a GNSS;

a controller operatively coupled to the limited power source and the GNSS circuitry, the controller having:

a power saving mode wherein the controller inhibits the GNSS circuitry from receiving GNSS data;

a standard accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a first time period; and

a higher accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a second time period longer than the first time period;

the controller configured to enter the higher accuracy mode and permit the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for the second time period in response to a determination of a mobile railway asset event;

communication circuitry operatively coupled to the controller; and

the controller configured to, in response to the determination of the mobile railway asset event, control the communication circuitry to communicate to a remote computing device data indicative of a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the second time period of the higher accuracy mode.

48. The system of claim 47 further comprising at least one sensor, the controller configured to receive data from the sensor and the GNSS circuitry; and

wherein the controller is configured to make the determination of the mobile railway asset event based on data from the at least one sensor and the GNSS circuitry.

49. The system of claim 47 further comprising at least one sensor configured to detect at least one parameter of the mobile railway asset; and

the controller is configured to determine the mobile railway asset event in response to a change in the at least one parameter of the mobile railway asset.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of:

a temperature sensor;

a reed switch;

a pressure transducer;

a strain gauge;

a hall effect sensor;

a temperature sensor;

a limit switch;

an accelerometer;

a piezo-electric sensor;

a microphone;

an inductive-type sensor; and

a load cell.

51. The system of claim 47 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to receive a request for location of the mobile railway asset from an external device; and

wherein the controller makes the determination of the mobile railway asset event upon the communication circuitry receiving the request for the location of the mobile railway asset from the external device.

52. The system of claim 47 wherein the system comprises a communication management unit including the limited power source, GNSS circuitry, controller, the communication circuitry;

the system further comprising a powered wireless gateway and at least one wireless sensor node; and

wherein the communication circuitry is configured to wirelessly receive sensor data from the at least one sensor node and communicate the data indicative of the location of the mobile railway asset to the remote computing device via the powered wireless gateway.

53. The system of claim 47 wherein the controller is configured to determine a location of the mobile railway asset by utilizing less than all of the GNSS data received during the second time period.

54. The system of claim 47 wherein the controller is configured to determine an accuracy of the GNSS data and the controller is configured to determine the location of the mobile railway asset by utilizing GNSS data obtained during the second time period having an accuracy greater than a threshold accuracy.

55. The system of claim 47 wherein the controller is configured to categorize the accuracy of the GNSS data, the controller further configured to set a duration of the second time period based at least in part on the categorized accuracy of the GNSS data received during the second time period.

56. The system of claim 47 wherein the mobile railway asset includes a railcar and the limited power source includes a battery.

57. A system comprising:

a mobile railway asset;

a limited power source;

global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry configured to utilize electrical power from the limited power source to receive GNSS data from satellites of a GNSS;

a controller operatively coupled to the limited power source and the GNSS circuitry, the controller having:

a power saving mode wherein the controller inhibits the GNSS circuitry from receiving GNSS data;

a standard accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a first time period; and

a higher accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a second time period longer than the first time period;

the controller configured to enter the higher accuracy mode and permit the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for the second time period in response to a determination of a mobile railway asset event; and

communication circuitry operatively coupled to the controller and configured to communicate data indicative of a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the second time period;

wherein the controller, in the higher accuracy mode thereof, permits the GNSS circuitry to receive a first portion of the GNSS data in a first portion of the second time period and a second portion of the GNSS data in a second portion of the second time period after the first portion;

the controller further configured to determine a location of the mobile railway asset utilizing the second portion of the GNSS data but not the first portion of the GNSS data.

58. The system of claim 57 wherein the controller is configured to categorize the accuracy of the GNSS data based at least in part on satellite count, horizontal dilution of precision, or a combination thereof; and

the controller further configured to determine the location of the mobile railway asset by utilizing GNSS data obtained during the second time period and having accuracy greater than a threshold accuracy.

59. A system comprising:

a mobile railway asset;

a limited power source;

global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry configured to utilize electrical power from the limited power source to receive GNSS data from satellites of a GNSS;

a controller operatively coupled to the limited power source and the GNSS circuitry, the controller having:

a power saving mode wherein the controller inhibits the GNSS circuitry from receiving GNSS data;

a standard accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a first time period; and

a higher accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a second time period longer than the first time period;

the controller configured to enter the higher accuracy mode and permit the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for the second time period in response to a determination of a mobile railway asset event; and

communication circuitry operatively coupled to the controller and configured to communicate data indicative of a location of the mobile

wherein the controller is configured to:

sort the GNSS data received during the second time period based on corresponding quality metrics to form a sorted GNSS data;

discard a portion of the sorted GNSS data to form a final GNSS data; and

calculate the location of the mobile railway asset based on the final GNSS data.

60. A system comprising:

a mobile railway asset;

a limited power source;

global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry configured to utilize electrical power from the limited power source to receive GNSS data from satellites of a GNSS;

a controller operatively coupled to the limited power source and the GNSS circuitry, the controller having:

a power saving mode wherein the controller inhibits the GNSS circuitry from receiving GNSS data;

a standard accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a first time period; and

a higher accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a second time period longer than the first time period;

the controller configured to enter the higher accuracy mode and permit the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for the second time period in response to a determination of a mobile railway asset event; and

communication circuitry operatively coupled to the controller and configured to communicate data indicative of a location of the mobile

wherein the communication circuitry is configured to receive GNSS current location error data from a stationary gateway; and

the controller is configured to determine a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the first time period and the current location error data from the stationary gateway.