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 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 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: 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 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 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: Provided is a computer-implemented method for determining a communication status in a train consist operating in a distributed power system, the train consist including a lead locomotive and a plurality of remote locomotives. The method includes, for each remote locomotive of the plurality of remote locomotives that receives the command message directly from the lead locomotive, setting the message source indicator of the remote locomotive to a first state representative of a direct receipt of the command message, incrementing the message source counter for each response message received by the remote locomotive from other remote locomotives in which the respective message source indicator is set to the first state, generating a response message including a value of the message source indicator and a value of the message source counter, and transmitting the response message. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods for vehicles are provided. A method includes receiving a command message from a first vehicle at a second vehicle, wherein the first vehicle and second vehicle are communicatively coupled to define at least a portion of a vehicle group; receiving a status reply message from the second vehicle at the first vehicle in response to a trigger event; controlling an operation of one or more vehicles in the vehicle group based at least in part on a determined communications status of a communication network comprising at least one communication device with respect to the command message and the status reply message.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a communication system for vehicles and an associated method. A method includes receiving a command message from a first vehicle at a second vehicle, wherein the first vehicle and second vehicle are communicatively coupled to define at least a portion of a vehicle group; receiving a status reply message from the second vehicle at the first vehicle in response to a trigger event; controlling an operation of one or more vehicles in the vehicle group based at least in part on a determined communications status of a communication network comprising at least one communication device with respect to the command message and the status reply message.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for determining a communication status in a train consist operating in a distributed power system, the train consist including a lead locomotive and a plurality of remote locomotives. The method includes, for each remote locomotive of the plurality of remote locomotives that receives the command message directly from the lead locomotive, setting the message source indicator of the remote locomotive to a first state representative of a direct receipt of the command message, incrementing the message source counter for each response message received by the remote locomotive from other remote locomotives in which the respective message source indicator is set to the first state, generating a response message including a value of the message source indicator and a value of the message source counter, and transmitting the response message. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A communication system for a train having a lead locomotive power group and at least one remote locomotive power group, the system including: a lead locomotive computer in communication with a first and second lead communication device and programmed to: generate a command message; transmit or cause the transmission of the command message from the first lead communication device in a predetermined time slot; and transmit or cause the transmission of the command message from the second lead communication device in a different predetermined time slot; and at least one remote locomotive computer in communication with at least one remote communication device and programmed to directly or indirectly receive the command message from the first lead communication device and/or the second lead communication device. A communication method for a train is also disclosed.

Abstract: A communication system for a train having a lead locomotive power group and at least one remote locomotive power group, the system including: a lead locomotive computer in communication with a first and second lead communication device and programmed to: generate a command message; transmit or cause the transmission of the command message from the first lead communication device in a predetermined time slot; and transmit or cause the transmission of the command message from the second lead communication device in a different predetermined time slot; and at least one remote locomotive computer in communication with at least one remote communication device and programmed to directly or indirectly receive the command message from the first lead communication device and/or the second lead communication device. A communication method for a train is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a communication system for vehicles and an associated method. A method includes receiving a command message from a first vehicle at a second vehicle, wherein the first vehicle and second vehicle are communicatively coupled to define at least a portion of a vehicle group; receiving a status reply message from the second vehicle at the first vehicle in response to a trigger event; controlling an operation of one or more vehicles in the vehicle group based at least in part on a determined communications status of a communication network comprising at least one communication device with respect to the command message and the status reply message.

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: Provided is a computer-implemented method for determining a communication status in a train consist operating in a distributed power system, the train consist including a lead locomotive and a plurality of remote locomotives. The method includes, for each remote locomotive of the plurality of remote locomotives that receives the command message directly from the lead locomotive, setting the message source indicator of the remote locomotive to a first state representative of a direct receipt of the command message, incrementing the message source counter for each response message received by the remote locomotive from other remote locomotives in which the respective message source indicator is set to the first state, generating a response message including a value of the message source indicator and a value of the message source counter, and transmitting the response message. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A safety system for a train equipped with an ECP air brake arrangement, in which the train includes at least one locomotive and at least one railcar connected to a trainline network, the system including: at least one power supply; at least one power supply controller to communicate over the trainline network and control the at least one power supply; at least one local controller to: communicate over the trainline network; receive or determine railcar data including a condition or parameter associated with the at least one railcar; and, based at least partially on the railcar data, generate at least one first message to deactivate the at least one power supply. A computer-implemented method for monitoring and responding to at least one railcar's derailment is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for determining a communication status in a train consist operating in a distributed power system, the train consist including a lead locomotive and a plurality of remote locomotives. The method includes, for each remote locomotive of the plurality of remote locomotives that receives the command message directly from the lead locomotive, setting the message source indicator of the remote locomotive to a first state representative of a direct receipt of the command message, incrementing the message source counter for each response message received by the remote locomotive from other remote locomotives in which the respective message source indicator is set to the first state, generating a response message including a value of the message source indicator and a value of the message source counter, and transmitting the response message. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A brake control system and method for a train having a lead locomotive or control car, at least one trailing locomotive or control car and, optionally, at least one railroad car. The lead locomotive or control car generates data representing an independent brake demand and data representing an automatic brake demand and transmits the data representing an independent brake demand and the data representing an automatic brake demand to the at least one trailing locomotive or control car. The at least one trailing locomotive or control car receives data representing an independent brake demand and data representing an automatic brake demand and controls a brake cylinder pressure of the at least one trailing locomotive or control car based on the data representing an independent brake demand and the data representing an automatic brake demand.

Abstract: A safety system for a train equipped with an ECP air brake arrangement, in which the train includes at least one locomotive and at least one railcar connected to a trainline network, the system including: at least one power supply; at least one power supply controller to communicate over the trainline network and control the at least one power supply; at least one local controller to: communicate over the trainline network; receive or determine railcar data including a condition or parameter associated with the at least one railcar; and, based at least partially on the railcar data, generate at least one first message to deactivate the at least one power supply. A computer-implemented method for monitoring and responding to at least one railcar's derailment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for automatically controlling a locomotive include a control interface unit configured to receive input from at least one manual control, receive input from an automatic control system, and transmit commands to a locomotive control system, wherein the commands are based at least partially on the input received from the automatic control system. A bypass relay may also be provided to enable and disable communication between the at least one manual control and the locomotive control system.