| 摘要 |
The invention provides guideway-based methods, apparatus and systems for tracking, sensing and communicating with objects, such as track and roadway vehicles, as well as waystations therefor. Such a system comprises a winding (14), a transmitter (16) and a receiver (68, 70). The winding (14) is made up of two or more phase conductors (10, 12) connected to form one or more closed current paths. The phased conductors (10, 12) are conductive elements (such as wires) shaped or configured in periodically repeating patterns, such as saw tooths, sinusoids or square waves. The transmitter (16) applies to at least one of the phased conductors a position-sensing signal which has an envelope that varies as a periodic function of a first position along (or relative to) the winding (14). The sensor (60, 62), which is disposed at a second position along the winding, detects the position-sensing signals on the winding (14) and generates a signal indicating the distance between the first and second positions. That distance signal is a function and, specifically, a superposition, of the position-sensing signals carried by the multiple phased conductors at the second position. Related methods and apparatus permit communications between objects along the winding (14).
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