Abstract: A system and method for automatically establishing a wireless network between multiple units in a locomotive consist. A leading locomotive may transmit through the MU cable a ping signal to a remote unit that is directly or indirectly connected to the leading locomotive. When the remote unit replies to the ping, the leading locomotive may transmit through the MU cable network setup information to the remote unit. The remote unit may automatically setup its network controls using the data provided by the leading locomotive to communicate with the leading locomotive through a wireless network.

Abstract: A system for communicating track information within a consist having at least a first and second locomotive may include a first transceiver associated with the first locomotive and configured to receive the track information from a remote transceiver. The system may include a communication link connecting the first locomotive with the second locomotive and a communication controller associated with the first locomotive. The communication controller may be configured to identify a lead locomotive and send a signal to the lead locomotive indicating that the track information is fully received from the remote transceiver. The communication controller may be configured to, if the lead locomotive is a locomotive other than the first locomotive, send the track information to the lead locomotive via the communication link, and if the lead locomotive is the first locomotive, send at least a portion of the track information to the second locomotive via the communication link.

Abstract: A system for communicating a dataset may include at least a first and a second communication line. The system may also include a first transceiver configured to communicate a first data signal indicative of the dataset over the first communication line and a second transceiver configured to communicate a second data signal indicative of the dataset over the second communication line. The system may also include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive the first data signal and the second data signal and compare the first data signal and the second data signal to determine whether the first data signal or the second data signal comprises a more accurate signal. The processor may also be configured to determine the dataset based upon the more accurate signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules spatially distributed within the locomotive and communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. A first electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules includes a first configurable controller and a programmable controller, and a second electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules includes a second configurable controller and does not include a programmable controller.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules distributed within a locomotive. Each of the electronic modules is communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. Each of the electronic modules may include at least a configurable controller that is reconfigurable to implement at least one control function associated with distributed control of the locomotive.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network, a plurality of electronic modules and a plurality of control elements distributed within the locomotive. Each of the electronic modules is communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. Each of the electronic modules may be programmatically reconfigurable to implement distributed control of the locomotive. A first electronic module and a second electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules may be communicatively connected to one of the plurality of control elements via separate communication paths. The first electronic module may be configured to control the control element, and the second electronic module may be configured to control the control element when the first electronic module enters into a failure condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules distributed within a locomotive. The plurality of electronic modules are communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture and implementing distributed control of the locomotive. A first electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules may include a first configurable controller and a memory that stores a configuration file received via the network. The first configurable controller may be reconfigurable based on the configuration file stored in the memory.

Abstract: A system for communicating track information within a consist having at least a first and second locomotive may include a first transceiver associated with the first locomotive and configured to receive the track information from a remote transceiver. The system may include a communication link connecting the first locomotive with the second locomotive and a communication controller associated with the first locomotive. The communication controller may be configured to identify a lead locomotive and send a signal to the lead locomotive indicating that the track information is fully received from the remote transceiver. The communication controller may be configured to, if the lead locomotive is a locomotive other than the first locomotive, send the track information to the lead locomotive via the communication link, and if the lead locomotive is the first locomotive, send at least a portion of the track information to the second locomotive via the communication link.

Abstract: A system for communicating a dataset may include at least a first and a second communication line. The system may also include a first transceiver configured to communicate a first data signal indicative of the dataset over the first communication line and a second transceiver configured to communicate a second data signal indicative of the dataset over the second communication line. The system may also include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive the first data signal and the second data signal and compare the first data signal and the second data signal to determine whether the first data signal or the second data signal comprises a more accurate signal. The processor may also be configured to determine the dataset based upon the more accurate signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include at least one network and a plurality of communication centers spatially distributed within the locomotive. Each of the plurality of communication centers may include a plurality of communication outlets. The system may further include a plurality of electronic modules spatially distributed within the locomotive in a standardized scalable architecture and connected to the at least one network via the plurality of communication outlets included in the plurality of communication centers. Each one of the plurality of electronic modules may be reconfigurable to implement distributed control of the locomotive.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules distributed within the locomotive and communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. Each of the electronic modules includes at least one configurable controller that is reconfigurable to implement distributed control of the locomotive. At least one of the electronic modules includes a programmable controller in communication with the configurable controller and the network. A first configurable controller may be configured to monitor at least a first programmable controller.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules distributed within a locomotive. Each of the electronic modules is communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. Each of the electronic modules may include at least a configurable controller that is reconfigurable to implement at least one control function associated with distributed control of the locomotive.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules spatially distributed within the locomotive and communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. A first electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules includes a first configurable controller and a programmable controller, and a second electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules includes a second configurable controller and does not include a programmable controller.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules distributed within a locomotive. The plurality of electronic modules are communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture and implementing distributed control of the locomotive. A first electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules may include a first configurable controller and a memory that stores a configuration file received via the network. The first configurable controller may be reconfigurable based on the configuration file stored in the memory.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network, a plurality of electronic modules and a plurality of control elements distributed within the locomotive. Each of the electronic modules is communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. Each of the electronic modules may be programmatically reconfigurable to implement distributed control of the locomotive. A first electronic module and a second electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules may be communicatively connected to one of the plurality of control elements via separate communication paths. The first electronic module may be configured to control the control element, and the second electronic module may be configured to control the control element when the first electronic module enters into a failure condition.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically establishing a wireless network between multiple units in a locomotive consist. A leading locomotive may transmit through the MU cable a ping signal to a remote unit that is directly or indirectly connected to the leading locomotive. When the remote unit replies to the ping, the leading locomotive may transmit through the MU cable network setup information to the remote unit. The remote unit may automatically setup its network controls using the data provided by the leading locomotive to communicate with the leading locomotive through a wireless network.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for communicating a dataset in a consist, the dataset having a critical data portion. The system includes a first transceiver configured to communicate a first data signal indicative of at least the critical data portion of the dataset over a first communication line, and a second transceiver configured to communicate a second data signal indicative of at least the critical data portion of the dataset over a second communication line. The system includes a processor configured to receive the first data signal and the second data signal, to compare the first data signal with the second data signal to determine whether the first data signal or the second data signal includes a more accurate signal, and to determine at least the critical data portion of the dataset based upon the more accurate signal. The critical data portion is associated with the operability of the consist.