Radio frequency coupler for communication between adjacent railway cars

Abstract

A radio frequency coupling device used in conjunction with a communications system for effecting free space communications between adjacent cars on a multi-car vehicle, wherein each of the cars has coupling arms for connecting the cars to each other, and wherein each of the cars further comprises radio frequency transceivers. The RF coupling device of the present invention is implemented by mounting the first coupler housing on a coupler arm of a first car, the first coupler housing comprising a first antenna element and a third antenna element configured so as to transceive separate channels of radio frequency energy substantially out of phase from each other. The second coupler housing is mounted on a coupler arm of a second car and comprises a second antenna element and a fourth antenna element and located near the first coupler housing when the coupler arms of the cars are mechanically joined together. The second antenna element and the fourth antenna element transceive separate channels of radio frequency energy substantially out of phase from each other. The second antenna element is located near the first antenna element and substantially in phase therewith so as to couple a first channel of radio frequency energy therebetween. The fourth antenna element is located near the third antenna element and substantially in phase therewith so as to couple a second channel of radio frequency energy therebetween.