Abstract: A system for automatically configuring a communication interface module is disclosed. The communication interface module may include a plurality of data link ports and auto-configuration logic. The auto-configuration logic may be configured to determine a data link type for a data link connected to at least one of the plurality of data link ports and determine whether a local configuration file corresponding to the data link type is available. The auto-configuration logic may be configured to acquire a remote configuration file for the data link from an external source if a local configuration file is not available. The auto-configuration logic may configure the communication interface module, using the local configuration file or the remote configuration file, to communicate over the data link.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to perform a process of managing communications in an environment including a mobile work machine having one or more on-board data links connected to one or more on-board modules and a gateway and including one or more off-board data links connected to one or more off-board systems and the gateway. The process is performed by the gateway and includes receiving a request generated by a source device and transmitted on a first data link. In one embodiment, the first data link may be either one of the on-board data links and one of the off-board data links. Based on the request, the gateway selectively executes a server application that performs a server process. Further, the gateway identifies a destination device associated with the request, configures the request to a format compatible with the destination device, and provides the formatted request to the destination device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing protocol conversions in an environment including a work machine having one or more modules coupled to one or more data links. Such methods and systems may leverage one or more gateways to perform tunneling, translating, and bridging operations. Tunneling processes may include receiving a message from a source module in a first protocol, encapsulating the message within transmission units of a second protocol, and transmitting the encapsulated message via the second protocol. Translating processes may include receiving, by the gateway, a message in a first data link protocol including a parameter identifier. The gateway may match the parameter identifier with a parameter identifier included in a translation table and scale associated parameter data using a scale factor corresponding to a second data link protocol. The gateway may then provide the scaled parameter data to a module using the second data link protocol.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to perform a process of dynamically establishing an ad-hoc network including a plurality of work machines, one or more of which move within a work environment, and each of which includes a gateway. The process may be performed by a respective gateway included within a respective one of the work machines and includes determining a first set of work machines that are within direct communication range of the respective work machine based on the respective work machine's current location within the work environment. Further, the process includes determining a second set of work machines that are in direct communication range of one or more of the work machines in the first set.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to perform a process of managing communications in an environment including a work machine having one or more on-board data links connected to one or more on-board modules and a gateway, and one or more off-board data links connected to one or more off-board systems and the gateway. In one embodiment, the process includes receiving a request generated by a first off-board system and transmitted on a first off-board data link and invoking a firewall application that performs a firewall process. The firewall process may include identifying a destination device associated with the request and determining whether the request is authorized based on a profile associated with the first off-board system.

Abstract: Methods and systems of the present invention are provided for performing proxy control functions in an environment including one or more work machines. Such methods and systems may leverage one or more gateways to serve as a proxy for one or more distinct modules. A gateway, located in a work machine, may be programmed with proxy logic that performs functions associated with certain modules used in a work machine environment. The gateway may monitor a data link and retrieve broadcasted messages. The broadcasted messages may include source and/or destination module address identifiers. The gateway may retrieve messages from the data link based on a determination that the message is destined for a module for which the gateway serves as a proxy. The gateway may route a retrieved message, using a mapping structure, to the appropriate proxy logic that performs functions associated with the destination module.