Abstract: A vehicle monitoring device includes a camera or other optical sensor configured to be disposed at a trailing end of a first vehicle system. The camera or other optical sensor is configured to output one or more images or video of a field of view behind the first vehicle system. The monitoring device also includes a controller configured to receive output from one or more sensors and to activate the camera or other optical sensor to output the one or more images or video based on the output from the one or more sensors. The output from the one or more sensors indicates one or more of a change in movement of the first vehicle system, a temperature, an acoustic sound, or movement of a second vehicle system.

Abstract: A method of communication between first and second controllers positioned in spaced relation along a length of a vehicle system includes establishing first and second wireless, parallel communication channels between the first and second controllers. The channels operate at different carrier frequencies. The first controller transmits common information in parallel on the first and second wireless communication channels to the second controller, and the second controller receives the information transmitted in parallel on first and second wireless communication channels. The first and second wireless communication channels are then deactivated Subsequently, a single communication channel is established for communicating other, different information between the controllers.

Abstract: A method is provided that can include activating at least two wireless communication channels in parallel, between a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver. Each of the at least two wireless communication channels can operate at a different radio carrier frequency, and the first wireless transceiver may be part of a first vehicle. The method can also include transmitting, by the first wireless transceiver, common information in parallel on the at least two wireless communication channels to the second wireless transceiver and deactivating the at least two wireless communication channels.

Abstract: A system is provided that may include a first communication controller that may communicate with a vehicle system formed from two or more vehicles. The first communication controller may operate in different modes, including a first mode to control movement of the vehicle system without repeating any control signals communicated between the vehicles, and in a second mode to monitor different frequencies for receipt of the control signals, receive and repeat a first control signal of the control signals at a first frequency, and receive and repeats a second control signal of the control signals at a second frequency. The first communication controller may also operate in a third mode in which the first communication controller may monitor the first frequency but not the second frequency for the first control signal, receives the first control signal at the first frequency, and repeats the first control signal at the first frequency.

Abstract: A braking system conducts an electronic command signal via a cable extending through multiple first vehicles in a first segment of a multi-vehicle system. The electronic command signal directs engagement or release of an air brake coupled to a brake pipe that extends along a length of the multi-vehicle system. A pneumatic command signal is communicated via the brake pipe to one or more second vehicles in a second segment of the multi-vehicle system. The pneumatic command signal directs one or more of the engagement or the release of the air brake coupled to the brake pipe in the one or more second vehicles.

Abstract: A method of communication between first and second controllers positioned in spaced relation along a length of a vehicle system includes establishing first and second wireless, parallel communication channels between the first and second controllers. The channels operate at different carrier frequencies. The first controller transmits common information in parallel on the first and second wireless communication channels to the second controller, and the second controller receives the information transmitted in parallel on first and second wireless communication channels. The first and second wireless communication channels are then deactivated Subsequently, a single communication channel is established for communicating other, different information between the controllers.

Abstract: A communication device and method may include at least one tuner circuit that monitors at least a first frequency channel and a second frequency channel. A controller of the radio receiver may measure a first received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value over time for the first frequency channel and a second RSSI value over time for the second frequency channel. The first and second RSSI values are based on a signal strength of radio frequency (RF) energy received on the first and second frequency channels, respectively. The controller may detect a leader portion of a message on the first frequency channel responsive to a change in the first RSSI value exceeding a step change threshold. The controller may extract, via a detector circuit, message data from a carrier wave of the RF message.

Abstract: A braking system and method control application of brakes disposed onboard vehicles using brake control devices. The vehicles are in a multi-vehicle system and are associated with different segments of the vehicle system. Brake commands are sent to the brake control devices. These commands direct the brake control devices of the vehicles to concurrently engage the brakes onboard the vehicles to different brake levels based on which of the segments that the vehicles are associated.

Abstract: A communication system may include communication devices configured to be onboard vehicles in a multi-vehicle system. Each of the communication devices may operate in a lead mode, a repeater mode, or a trail mode. The communication devices operating in the lead mode may transmit a command signal to control movement of the multi-vehicle system. The communication devices operating in the repeater mode may re-transmit the command signal received from the one or more communication devices operating in the lead mode. The communication devices operating in the trail mode may receive the command signal received from the one or more communication devices operating in the lead mode or in the repeater mode. Each of the communication devices may be remotely switched between the lead mode or the trail mode to the repeater mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data recording unit and a data recording system for use in connection with a vehicle, such as a train, a locomotive, a railcar of a train, and the like.

Abstract: A device adapted for attachment to a coupler of a trailing railcar of a train includes an enclosure defining an internal compartment, a port adapted for connection to an air brake hose receiving air from a brake pipe of the train, a handle extending from the enclosure, a communication device disposed within the internal compartment of the enclosure, and at least one antenna connected to the communication device and extending at least partially through the internal compartment of the enclosure and into an internal cavity of the handle.

Abstract: A system includes a housing operably coupled with a vehicle system, and a vehicle monitoring system disposed within the housing comprising a wireless communication device including an antenna configured to wirelessly communication data signals. One or more ground radials are electrically coupled with the wireless communication device and conduct the data signals from the wireless communication device. The one or more ground radials form a ground plane of the antenna while the vehicle system is moving and the antenna is wirelessly communicating the data signals.

Abstract: A system is provided that may include a first communication controller that may communicate with a vehicle system formed from two or more vehicles. The first communication controller may operate in different modes, including a first mode to control movement of the vehicle system without repeating any control signals communicated between the vehicles, and in a second mode to monitor different frequencies for receipt of the control signals, receive and repeat a first control signal of the control signals at a first frequency, and receive and repeats a second control signal of the control signals at a second frequency. The first communication controller may also operate in a third mode in which the first communication controller may monitor the first frequency but not the second frequency for the first control signal, receives the first control signal at the first frequency, and repeats the first control signal at the first frequency.

Abstract: A device adapted for attachment to a coupler of a trailing railcar of a train includes an enclosure defining an internal compartment, a port adapted for connection to an air brake hose receiving air from a brake pipe of the train, a handle extending from the enclosure, a communication device disposed within the internal compartment of the enclosure, and at least one antenna connected to the communication device and extending at least partially through the internal compartment of the enclosure and into an internal cavity of the handle.

Abstract: A communication device and method may include at least one tuner circuit that monitors at least a first frequency channel and a second frequency channel. A controller of the radio receiver may measure a first received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value over time for the first frequency channel and a second RSSI value over time for the second frequency channel. The first and second RSSI values are based on a signal strength of radio frequency (RF) energy received on the first and second frequency channels, respectively. The controller may detect a leader portion of a message on the first frequency channel responsive to a change in the first RSSI value exceeding a step change threshold. The controller may extract, via a detector circuit, message data from a carrier wave of the RF message.

Abstract: A system may be provided that includes a first power source configured to supply power to a communication system of a vehicle system to communicate a signal from a first vehicle of the vehicle system to a second vehicle of the vehicle system. The system may include a second power source configured to supply power to the communication system to communicate the signal from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, and a controller. The controller may obtain an operational parameter, and communicate the signal based on the operational parameter when the first power source supplies power to the communication system. The controller may be configured to communicate the signal utilizing the power from the second power source based on the operational parameter when the first power source does not supply power to the communication system.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes at least one sensor and a power supply control system. The sensor is on board a vehicle system and configured to generate vehicle data relating to a condition or parameter associated with the vehicle system. The power supply control system is configured to control one or more power supplies on board the vehicle system and to receive the vehicle data from the at least one sensor. The power supply control system is also configured to compare the vehicle data to one or more criteria relating to vehicle movement, and, in response to a determination that the vehicle data meets the criteria and receipt of a signal indicative of the vehicle system carrying (or being configured to carry) cargo of a predetermined material, generate a control signal to deactivate at least one of the power supplies.

Abstract: A system includes a housing operably coupled with a vehicle system, and a vehicle monitoring system disposed within the housing comprising a wireless communication device including an antenna configured to wirelessly communication data signals. One or more ground radials are electrically coupled with the wireless communication device and conduct the data signals from the wireless communication device. The one or more ground radials form a ground plane of the antenna while the vehicle system is moving and the antenna is wirelessly communicating the data signals.

Abstract: A braking system conducts an electronic command signal via a cable extending through multiple first vehicles in a first segment of a multi-vehicle system. The electronic command signal directs engagement or release of an air brake coupled to a brake pipe that extends along a length of the multi-vehicle system. A pneumatic command signal is communicated via the brake pipe to one or more second vehicles in a second segment of the multi-vehicle system. The pneumatic command signal directs one or more of the engagement or the release of the air brake coupled to the brake pipe in the one or more second vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring device includes a camera or other optical sensor configured to be disposed at a trailing end of a first vehicle system. The camera or other optical sensor is configured to output one or more images or video of a field of view behind the first vehicle system. The monitoring device also includes a controller configured to receive output from one or more sensors and to activate the camera or other optical sensor to output the one or more images or video based on the output from the one or more sensors. The output from the one or more sensors indicates one or more of a change in movement of the first vehicle system, a temperature, an acoustic sound, or movement of a second vehicle system.