Consolidated Rail Corporation

Donald C Oltmann

Joseph F Dolan

James P Miccolis

Roger M St Martin

James F Brady

James M Harris

Terry H Tse

A track code analyzer is disclosed that measures the duty cycle, carrier frequency, modulation frequency, and amplitude of track code signal and determines when these parameters are outside predetermined limits. The system also detects and records transient anomalies in the track code. The track code analyzer of the present invention is either mounted on a railway vehicle or used as a portable, wayside troubleshooting device. In a preferred embodiment, apparatus for processing a track code signal for indicating track conditions is provided that comprises a pickup for inductively receiving and decoding an analog track code signal. The signal is preferably received and processed by a conditioning circuit for processing the analog track code signal and transmitted to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for creating a digital track code signal. The digitized signal is then input to a first processor for computing a value from the digital track code signal and transmitting an output signal indicative of the value. The first processor is preferably a microprocessor for taking data from the analog-to-digital converter and determining signal level, carrier frequency, modulation frequency, and duty cycle of the track code. The output signal is transmitted to an apparatus for displaying the value, such as one or more light emitting diodes, so that the track conditions are displayed.

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Sewell, NJ, United States of America

Donald C Oltmann