Abstract: An access point for a communication network is disclosed. The access point may have a communications processor configured to receive signals from a different access point of the communication network, a cable connected to the communications processor, and at least one attenuator connected to the cable upstream of the communications processor. The at least one attenuator may be configured to selectively attenuate incoming signals received via the cable before the incoming signals are received by the communications process. The access point may also have a transmission amplifier connected to the cable downstream of the communications processor and configured to amplify outgoing signals generated by the communications processor by about 3:1.

Abstract: A trainline network access point connected to an intra-consist electrical cable of a consist has a network data signal path, first and second communication modules, and a network switch. The network switch is connected to the first and second communication modules and configured to selectively connect the network data signal path to the first communication module and the second communication module. The first communication module has a first processor configured to receive first network data via the network data signal path, modulate the first network data for transmission over the intra-consist electrical cable, and transmit the first modulated network data over the intra-consist electrical cable. The second communication module includes a second processor configured to receive second network data via the network data signal path, modulate the second network data for transmission over the intra-consist electrical cable, and transmit the second modulated network data over the intra-consist electrical cable.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a transmitter chip in a consist is disclosed. The temperature control system may include a heater configured to provide heat to the transmitter chip, and a sensor configured to detect a consist condition and generate a signal indicative of the detected consist condition. The temperature control system may also include a controller in communication with the heater and the sensor. The controller may be configured to receive the signal indicative of the detected consist condition, compare the detected consist condition with a predetermined consist condition, and selectively control the heater to provide heat to the transmitter chip based on the comparison.

Abstract: A receive attenuation system for a trainline communication system utilizing an intra-consist electrical cable has an analog front end amplifier, a trainline communication processor, an adjustable attenuator, and a gain controller. The trainline communication processor is configured to generate a receive gain control signal configured to control receive gain of the analog front end amplifier. The adjustable attenuator is capable of being coupled to the intra-consist electrical cable and configured to variably attenuate signals received from the intra-consist electrical cable before transmitting the signals to the analog front end amplifier. The gain controller is coupled to the adjustable attenuator and configured to detect the receive gain control signal generated by the trainline communication processor, determine a supplemental attenuation control value based on the detected receive gain control signal, and control the adjustable attenuator according to the supplemental attenuation control signal.

Abstract: An access point for a communication network is disclosed. The access point may have a communications processor configured to receive signals from a different access point of the communication network, a cable connected to the communications processor, and at least one attenuator connected to the cable upstream of the communications processor. The at least one attenuator may be configured to selectively attenuate incoming signals received via the cable before the incoming signals are received by the communications process. The access point may also have a transmission amplifier connected to the cable downstream of the communications processor and configured to amplify outgoing signals generated by the communications processor by about 3:1.

Abstract: An access point for a communication network is disclosed. The access point may have a communications processor configured to receive signals from a different access point of the communication network, and at least a first attenuator configured to selectively attenuate the signals before they are received by the communications processor. The access point may also have a voltage clamp configured to limit a strength of the signals before they are received by the at least a first attenuator, and a second attenuator configured to attenuate all signals before they are received by the voltage clamp.

Abstract: An access point for a communication network is disclosed. The access point may have a communications processor configured to receive incoming signals from a different access point of the communication network, and to generate outgoing signals directed to the different access point based on a plurality of amplitude scale factor maps stored in memory. The access point may also have a cable connected between the communications processor and the different access point, and a transmission amplifier connected to the cable downstream of the communications processor. The transmission amplifier may be configured to amplify the outgoing signals.

Abstract: A receive attenuation system for a locomotive consist having a communication network is disclosed. The system may have a trainline communication processor and an adjustable attenuator. The adjustable attenuator may be configured to be connected to the network and variably attenuate a signal received via the network before transmitting the signal to the trainline communication processor. The system may also have a gain controller coupled to the adjustable attenuator. The gain controller may be configured to identify a transmitting locomotive from which the signal was sent, determine a tuned attenuation control value based on a distance between the transmitting locomotive and a receiving locomotive, and control the adjustable attenuator according to the tuned attenuation control value.

Abstract: A receive attenuation system for a locomotive consist having a communication network is disclosed. The system may have a trainline communication processor and an adjustable attenuator. The adjustable attenuator may be configured to be connected to the network and variably attenuate a signal received via the network before transmitting the signal to the trainline communication processor. The system may also have a gain controller coupled to the adjustable attenuator. The gain controller may be configured to identify a transmitting locomotive from which the signal was sent, determine a tuned attenuation control value based on a distance between the transmitting locomotive and a receiving locomotive, and control the adjustable attenuator according to the tuned attenuation control value.

Abstract: A system for determining communication paths in a trainline communication network utilized by a consist has a processor configured to determine direct data transmission metrics for one locomotive of the consist. The processor receives direct data transmission metrics for the remaining locomotives of the consist and determines indirect data transmission estimates for the one locomotive based on the received direct data transmission metrics. The processor determines communication paths for the one locomotive by comparing the direct data transmission metrics for the one locomotive to the indirect data transmission estimates for the one locomotive.

Abstract: A method for controlling data communication among two or more of access points within a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include selecting, from among the two or more access points, a first access point to output a synchronization signal. The method may also include outputting the synchronization signal from the first access point to the remaining one or more access points, wherein the synchronization signal may be used to synchronize data communication among the two or more access points.

Abstract: A method for controlling data communication within a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include receiving, at a first access point, a first set of data packets that represent a communication sent from a second access point via a first set of wires. The method may also include receiving, at the first access point, a second set of data packets that represent the same communication sent from the second access point via a second set of wires. Further, the method may include processing the first set of data packets and the second set of data packets to create a resultant set of data packets and generating, at the first access point, a communication related to operating the locomotive based on the resultant data packets.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data between access points in a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include determining, at a sending access point, the number of locomotives across which a communication signal will be sent. The method may also include selecting, based on the number of determined locomotives, a first transmission spectrum from among one or more transmission spectrums. The method may further include equalizing the communication signal using the selected first transmission spectrum and sending the equalized communication signal to a receiving access point.

Abstract: A method for routing data between access points in a locomotive consist including at least three locomotives is disclosed. The method may include monitoring at least one characteristic of a first data transmission between a first access point in a first locomotive and a third access point in a third locomotive. The method may also include determining, based on the monitored characteristic, whether to route a second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through a second access point in a second locomotive that is physically disposed between the first locomotive and the third locomotive.

Abstract: A system for determining communication paths in a trainline communication network utilized by a consist has a processor configured to determine direct data transmission metrics for one locomotive of the consist. The processor receives direct data transmission metrics for the remaining locomotives of the consist and determines indirect data transmission estimates for the one locomotive based on the received direct data transmission metrics. The processor determines communication paths for the one locomotive by comparing the direct data transmission metrics for the one locomotive to the indirect data transmission estimates for the one locomotive.

Abstract: A receive attenuation system for a trainline communication system utilizing an intra-consist electrical cable has an analog front end amplifier, a trainline communication processor, an adjustable attenuator, and a gain controller. The trainline communication processor is configured to generate a receive gain control signal configured to control receive gain of the analog front end amplifier. The adjustable attenuator is capable of being coupled to the intra-consist electrical cable and configured to variably attenuate signals received from the intra-consist electrical cable before transmitting the signals to the analog front end amplifier. The gain controller is coupled to the adjustable attenuator and configured to detect the receive gain control signal generated by the trainline communication processor, determine a supplemental attenuation control value based on the detected receive gain control signal, and control the adjustable attenuator according to the supplemental attenuation control signal.

Abstract: A trainline network access point connected to an intra-consist electrical cable of a consist has a network data signal path, a first communication module, a second communication module, and a network switch. The network switch is connected to the first communication module and the second communication module and configured to selectively connect the network data signal path to the first communication module and the second communication module. The first communication module has a first processor configured to receive first network data via the network data signal path, modulate the first network data for transmission over the intra-consist electrical cable, and transmit the first modulated network data over the intra-consist electrical cable.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data between access points in a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include determining, at a sending access point, the number of locomotives across which a communication signal will be sent. The method may also include selecting, based on the number of determined locomotives, a first transmission spectrum from among one or more transmission spectrums. The method may further include equalizing the communication signal using the selected first transmission spectrum and sending the equalized communication signal to a receiving access point.

Abstract: A method for controlling data communication within a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include monitoring an effect of a first interference generated by a first pair of wires on a second pair of wires during a communication. The method may also include monitoring an effect of a second interference generated by the second pair of wires on the first pair of wires during the communication. The method may further include dividing data packets to he sent from the first access point to the second access point such that a first subset of the data packets are designated for the first pair of wires and a second subset of the data packets are designated for the second pair of wires and modifying the first subset of the data packets to reduce the effect of the first interference.

Abstract: A method for controlling data communication within a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include receiving, at a first access point, a first set of data packets that represent a communication sent from a second access point via a first set of wires. The method may also include receiving, at the first access point, a second set of data packets that represent the same communication sent from the second access point via a second set of wires. Further, the method may include processing the first set of data packets and the second set of data packets to create a resultant set of data packets and generating, at the first access point, a communication related to operating the locomotive based on the resultant data packets.