A continuous longitudinal control signal via the low frequency excitation of helical transmission lines

Abstract

A method of generating a continuous position reference signal for use in the longitudinal control of automated ground transport systems is presented. The technique utilizes two specially excited four-wire helically wound transmission lines. The method of excitation, the signal detection and processing schemes necessary to obtain the control signal, and the results of preliminary laboratory tests are presented. The technique should provide a highly accurate, easily implementable and environmentally impervious means of generating a longitudinal reference signal.