Abstract: A vehicle power transfer system includes a current collector device, one or more actuators, and a controller. The current collector device is configured to be mounted on a vehicle and is movable relative to the vehicle. The current collector device is configured to receive electrical energy from an offboard power source for powering one or more operations of the vehicle. The controller is configured to determine an occurrence of a designated extend event. The controller is configured to control the one or more actuators to move the current collector device in an extending direction away from the vehicle for electrically connecting to a current-carrying device of the offboard power source in response to the occurrence of the designated extend event.

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 communication assembly includes a housing, a communication device, an extendable mast, and a control circuit. The housing is configured to be mounted on a vehicle. The communication device includes an antenna and is disposed at least partially within the housing. The extendable mast is mechanically coupled to the housing and supports the antenna. The control circuit is operably coupled to the mast and is configured to generate a signal to raise the mast from a first position of a distal end of the mast to a second position of the distal end in response to determining occurrence of a designated raise event. The antenna extends a greater distance from the housing in the second position of the mast than in the first position.

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 diagnostic system and method obtain a thermal signature for one or more first components of a powered system. The thermal signature represents thermal measurements obtained at different locations of the powered system. The system and method identify an abnormal operating condition of the one or more first components of the powered system or one or more second components of the powered system based on the thermal signature.

Abstract: In one example, a wayside device monitoring system is provided. The system may include a wayside device and a controller. The wayside device may detect one or more operating parameters of a vehicle in a vehicle system moving over a route segment. The controller can receive information from the wayside device regarding at least the one or more operating parameters detected, and can control movement the vehicle directly or indirectly based at least in part on the received information.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes one or more of a HOV unit or an EOV unit. The HOV unit and/or the EOV unit may include functional devices, one or more processors, and a location signal receiver. The functional devices may perform one or more operations to control operation of a vehicle system on which the HOV unit and/or the EOV unit is disposed. The location signal receiver may receive location signals from an off-board source. The one or more processors may obtain or determine a location of the HOV unit and/or the EOV unit based on the location signals and to change a mode of operation of at least one of the functional devices responsive to the location changing from a first designated area or location to a different, second designated area or location.

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 vehicle control system includes a first controller configured to communicate a first brake command to one or more brake devices of a vehicle system via a communication pathway. The system includes a second controller configured to monitor the communication pathway to determine whether the first brake command from the first controller is communicated via the communication pathway to the one or more brake devices. The second controller is configured to implement a backup brake command to the one or more brake devices based on a presence of the first brake command and a level of brake application dictated by the first brake command.

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 assembly includes a housing, a communication device, an extendable mast, and a control circuit. The housing is configured to be mounted on a vehicle. The communication device includes an antenna and is disposed at least partially within the housing. The extendable mast is mechanically coupled to the housing and supports the antenna. The control circuit is operably coupled to the mast and is configured to generate a signal to raise the mast from a first position of a distal end of the mast to a second position of the distal end in response to determining occurrence of a designated raise event. The antenna extends a greater distance from the housing in the second position of the mast than in the first position.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a first controller configured to communicate a first brake command to one or more brake devices of a vehicle system via a communication pathway. The system also includes a second controller configured to monitor the communication pathway to determine whether the first brake command from the first controller is communicated via the communication pathway to the one or more brake devices. The second controller also is configured to implement a backup brake command to the one or more brake devices based on a presence of the first brake command and a level of brake application dictated by the first brake command.

Abstract: A method and a communication system includes establishing a communication link between a first vehicle and an off-board database. The first vehicle and the off-board database are communicatively linked via a first communication system. A message from a second vehicle may be received via the off-board database. The second vehicle and the off-board database are communicatively coupled via a second communication system. A response may be communicated from the first vehicle to the second vehicle via the off-board database.

Abstract: A method of communication between first and second controllers positioned in spaced relation along a length of a train includes forming between the first and second controllers, first and second wireless communication channels operating at different carrier frequencies and causing the first and second wireless communication channels to be in communication in parallel, whereupon the first and second controllers are in communication via both the first and second wireless communication channels. The first controller then causes information to be transmitted 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 caused to be inactive, whereupon the first and second controllers are out of communication.

Abstract: A method and a communication system includes establishing a communication link between a first vehicle and an off-board database. The first vehicle and the off-board database are communicatively linked via a first communication system. A message from a second vehicle may be received via the off-board database. The second vehicle and the off-board database are communicatively coupled via a second communication system. A response may be communicated from the first vehicle to the second vehicle via the off-board database.

Abstract: A method of communication between first and second controllers positioned in spaced relation along a length of a train includes forming between the first and second controllers, first and second wireless communication channels operating at different carrier frequencies and causing the first and second wireless communication channels to be in communication in parallel, whereupon the first and second controllers are in communication via both the first and second wireless communication channels. The first controller then causes information to be transmitted 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 caused to be inactive, whereupon the first and second controllers are out of communication.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a first controller configured to communicate a first brake command to one or more brake devices of a vehicle system via a communication pathway. The system also includes a second controller configured to monitor the communication pathway to determine whether the first brake command from the first controller is communicated via the communication pathway to the one or more brake devices. The second controller also is configured to implement a backup brake command to the one or more brake devices based on a presence of the first brake command and a level of brake application dictated by the first brake command.

Abstract: A train control system and method for use in an electronically-controlled pneumatic (ECP)-equipped train having a lead locomotive or control car, at least one railroad car and, optionally, at least one trailing locomotive or control car. A first controller or computer generates a train brake command and directly or indirectly transmit the train brake command to the at least one railroad car. A second controller or computer separate from the first controller or computer determines transmission of the train brake command to the at least one railroad car.