Abstract: Systems and methods for correlating wireless communication performance with vehicle system configurations determine wireless message characteristics of wireless messages communicated with vehicles in vehicle systems and locations along a route where the wireless message characteristics were determined. The wireless message characteristics and the locations can be determined during movement of the vehicle systems along a route. Relative positions of the vehicles in the vehicle systems is obtained, and a signal propagation profile is determined based on the wireless message characteristics, the locations where the wireless message characteristics were determined, and the relative positions of the vehicles. The signal propagation profile can represent relationships between the wireless message characteristics, the relative positions of the vehicles, and the locations along the route.

Abstract: A method includes wirelessly receiving, at a lead remote control (RC) communication device onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system, a request signal from an operator control unit (OCU). The method also includes communicating a reconfiguration signal from a lead communication device of the lead vehicle to a remote communication device disposed onboard a first displaced vehicle responsive to receipt of the request signal. Further, the method includes, responsive to receiving the reconfiguration signal, reconfiguring an RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle to switch from a first state where the RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle receives a control signal from the OCU for remotely controlling operation of the first displaced vehicle to a different, second state where the RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle repeats the control signal to the lead RC communication device of the lead vehicle.

Abstract: A method includes wirelessly receiving, at a lead remote control (RC) communication device onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system, a request signal from an operator control unit (OCU). The method also includes communicating a reconfiguration signal from a lead communication device of the lead vehicle to a remote communication device disposed onboard a first displaced vehicle responsive to receipt of the request signal. Further, the method includes, responsive to receiving the reconfiguration signal, reconfiguring an RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle to switch from a first state where the RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle receives a control signal from the OCU for remotely controlling operation of the first displaced vehicle to a different, second state where the RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle repeats the control signal to the lead RC communication device of the lead vehicle.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first communication device disposed onboard a displaced vehicle. The first communication device communicates with a second communication device onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system for the lead vehicle to remotely control operation of the vehicle system. The first communication device receives a reconfiguration signal from the second communication device. A remote control (RC) communication device is disposed onboard the first displaced vehicle. The RC communication device wirelessly receives a control signal from an operator control unit (OCU) for the OCU to remotely control the first displaced vehicle. A communication controller reconfigures the RC communication device to repeat the control signal from the OCU responsive to the first communication device of the first displaced vehicle receiving the reconfiguration signal from the second communication device of the lead vehicle or another reconfiguration signal from an off-board or on-board location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for correlating wireless communication performance with vehicle system configurations determine wireless message characteristics of wireless messages communicated with vehicles in vehicle systems and locations along a route where the wireless message characteristics were determined. The wireless message characteristics and the locations can be determined during movement of the vehicle systems along a route. Relative positions of the vehicles in the vehicle systems is obtained, and a signal propagation profile is determined based on the wireless message characteristics, the locations where the wireless message characteristics were determined, and the relative positions of the vehicles. The signal propagation profile can represent relationships between the wireless message characteristics, the relative positions of the vehicles, and the locations along the route.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first communication device disposed onboard a displaced vehicle. The first communication device communicates with a second communication device onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system for the lead vehicle to remotely control operation of the vehicle system. The first communication device receives a reconfiguration signal from the second communication device. A remote control (RC) communication device is disposed onboard the first displaced vehicle. The RC communication device wirelessly receives a control signal from an operator control unit (OCU) for the OCU to remotely control the first displaced vehicle. A communication controller reconfigure the RC communication device to repeat the control signal from the OCU responsive to the first communication device of the first displaced vehicle receiving the reconfiguration signal from the second communication device of the lead vehicle or another reconfiguration signal from an off-board or on-board location.

Abstract: A system and method communicate a command message from a lead vehicle in a vehicle consist having remote vehicles and the lead vehicle. The command message includes a directive for controlling operations of the remote vehicles. The command message is received at the remote vehicles and reply messages are communicated in response thereto. The reply messages include statuses of the remote vehicles. Responsive to determining that the lead vehicle does not receive the reply message from one or more of the remote vehicles, the statuses of the one or more remote vehicles from which the reply messages are not received at the lead vehicle are sent and/or combined into an individual or concatenated relayed message. The individual or concatenated relayed messages are communicated to the lead vehicle such that the lead vehicle receives the statuses of the one or more remote vehicles.

Abstract: A system and method communicate a command message from a lead vehicle in a vehicle consist having remote vehicles and the lead vehicle. The command message includes a directive for controlling operations of the remote vehicles. The command message is received at the remote vehicles and reply messages are communicated in response thereto. The reply messages include statuses of the remote vehicles. Responsive to determining that the lead vehicle does not receive the reply message from one or more of the remote vehicles, the statuses of the one or more remote vehicles from which the reply messages are not received at the lead vehicle are sent and/or combined into an individual or concatenated relayed message. The individual or concatenated relayed messages are communicated to the lead vehicle such that the lead vehicle receives the statuses of the one or more remote vehicles.