Abstract: A communication system includes a data manager unit, a private interface, and an open interface. The data manager unit is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to manage a transmission of data from a control system of the vehicle to a plurality of applications. The private interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit to the control system of the vehicle, and to limit communication with the control system via a connection protocol, wherein the connection protocol is configured to prevent direct communication between the data manager unit and an application that does not use the connection protocol. The open interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit and the plurality of applications.

Abstract: A communication system includes a data manager unit, a private interface, and an open interface. The data manager unit is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to manage a transmission of data from a control system of the vehicle to a plurality of applications. The private interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit to the control system of the vehicle, and to limit communication with the control system via a connection protocol, wherein the connection protocol is configured to prevent direct communication between the data manager unit and an application that does not use the connection protocol. The open interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit and the plurality of applications.

Abstract: A communication system includes a data manager unit, a private interface, and an open interface. The data manager unit is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to manage a transmission of data from a control system of the vehicle to a plurality of applications. The private interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit to the control system of the vehicle, and to limit communication with the control system via a connection protocol, wherein the connection protocol is configured to prevent direct communication between the data manager unit and an application that does not use the connection protocol. The open interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit and the plurality of applications.

Abstract: A communication system includes a data manager unit, a private interface, and an open interface. The data manager unit is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to manage a transmission of data from a control system of the vehicle to a plurality of applications. The private interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit to the control system of the vehicle, and to limit communication with the control system via a connection protocol, wherein the connection protocol is configured to prevent direct communication between the data manager unit and an application that does not use the connection protocol. The open interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit and the plurality of applications.

Abstract: A communication system includes a data manager unit, a private interface, and an open interface. The data manager unit is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to manage a transmission of data from a control system of the vehicle to a plurality of applications. The private interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit to the control system of the vehicle, and to limit communication with the control system via a connection protocol, wherein the connection protocol is configured to prevent direct communication between the data manager unit and an application that does not use the connection protocol. The open interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit and the plurality of applications.

Abstract: A system includes an energy management system configured to be communicatively coupled with a communication system of a vehicle that travels on a trip along a route. The energy management system is configured to be removably coupled with the communication system such that the energy management system is mechanically disengageable from the communication system. The energy management system is further configured to receive data parameters from the communication system and to generate at least one of a trip plan or a control message for the vehicle based on the data parameters. The trip plan and/or the control message dictates tractive and braking efforts of the vehicle during the trip. The energy management system is configured to communicate the trip plan and/or the control message to the communication system for the communication system to implement for controlling movement of the vehicle during the trip.

Abstract: A system includes an energy management system configured to be communicatively coupled with a communication system of a vehicle that travels on a trip along a route. The energy management system is configured to be removably coupled with the communication system such that the energy management system is mechanically disengageable from the communication system. The energy management system is further configured to receive data parameters from the communication system and to generate at least one of a trip plan or a control message for the vehicle based on the data parameters. The trip plan and/or the control message dictates tractive and braking efforts of the vehicle during the trip. The energy management system is configured to communicate the trip plan and/or the control message to the communication system for the communication system to implement for controlling movement of the vehicle during the trip.

Abstract: A system includes an energy management system configured to be communicatively coupled with a communication system of a vehicle that travels on a trip along a route. The energy management system is configured to be removably coupled with the communication system such that the energy management system is mechanically disengageable from the communication system. The energy management system is further configured to receive data parameters from the communication system and to generate at least one of a trip plan or a control message for the vehicle based on the data parameters. The trip plan and/or the control message dictates tractive and braking efforts of the vehicle during the trip. The energy management system is configured to communicate the trip plan and/or the control message to the communication system for the communication system to implement for controlling movement of the vehicle during the trip.

Abstract: A data conversion system for a vehicle includes an interface gateway device that is configured to be communicatively coupled with a data acquisition module and a client module. The data acquisition module obtains a value of a data parameter related to operation of the vehicle and communicates the value to the interface gateway device in a first message provided in a first format. The interface gateway device is configured to convert the first format of the first message into a different, second format to form a second message and to communicate the second message to the client module. The client module uses the second message to perform a function for the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for communications in a vehicle consist (e.g., for managing network services among a plurality of networked locomotives or other vehicles in the consist) includes monitoring a first available device of a first locomotive (or other first vehicle) in the consist to determine an operational status of the first available device, and maintaining information of the operational status of the first available device in a database.

Abstract: A system includes an energy management system configured to be communicatively coupled with a communication system of a vehicle that travels on a trip along a route. The energy management system is configured to be removably coupled with the communication system such that the energy management system is mechanically disengageable from the communication system. The energy management system is further configured to receive data parameters from the communication system and to generate at least one of a trip plan or a control message for the vehicle based on the data parameters. The trip plan and/or the control message dictates tractive and braking efforts of the vehicle during the trip. The energy management system is configured to communicate the trip plan and/or the control message to the communication system for the communication system to implement for controlling movement of the vehicle during the trip.

Abstract: A data communication system for a vehicle includes an interface gateway device that is configured to be communicatively coupled with a data acquisition module and a client module. The interface gateway device is further configured to receive a value of a data parameter related to operation of the vehicle from the data acquisition module and to communicate the value to the client module for performing a function for the vehicle. The interface gateway device also is configured to determine when either of the data acquisition module or the client module is communicatively coupled with the interface gateway device and to implement respective communication configurations associated with the data acquisition module or the client module to receive the value of the data parameter from the data acquisition module or communicate the value of the data parameter to the client module.

Abstract: A communication system includes a data manager unit, a private interface, and an open interface. The data manager unit is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to manage a transmission of data from a control system of the vehicle to a plurality of applications. The private interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit to the control system of the vehicle, and to limit communication with the control system via a connection protocol, wherein the connection protocol is configured to prevent direct communication between the data manager unit and an application that does not use the connection protocol. The open interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit and the plurality of applications.

Abstract: A communication system for controlling sharing of data across a plurality of subsystems on a locomotive, the communication system including an open defined interface unit configured so that a plurality of applications may access locomotive control system data in a common defined manner with predictable results.

Abstract: A method for communicating data in a rail vehicle consist includes transmitting first data at a first rail vehicle of the consist over a power supply conductor to a second, different rail vehicle in the consist, where at least one rail vehicle of the consist receives direct electrical power from the power supply conductor. The method also includes monitoring the power supply conductor for second data at the first rail vehicle and receiving the second data over the power supply conductor at the first rail vehicle for use by a first system onboard the first rail vehicle. In one aspect, the transmitting step comprises transmitting the first data over one or more of a catenary line or a third rail that supplies the electrical power.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle consist includes a control module that interfaces with at least one of a first router transceiver pair or a redundant router transceiver pair. Each of the router transceiver pairs can communicate network data between vehicles of the consist over a cable bus of the vehicle consist. The control module includes a monitor module and a switch module. The monitor module monitors operation of at least one of the first router transceiver pair or the redundant router transceiver pair. The switch module is operably coupled with the monitor module and controls the first router transceiver pair or the redundant router transceiver pair to communicate the network data over the cable bus if the other of the first router transceiver pair or the redundant router transceiver pair enters a failure condition for being unable to communicate the network data over the cable bus.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle includes an input module, a selection module, and a publisher module. The input module is configured to receive data parameters associated with one or more conditions (e.g., states, current operational aspects or modes, operational environmental conditions) of the vehicle. The selection module is configured to select a subset of the data parameters. The publisher module is configured to communicate the data parameters in the subset to one or more applications of the vehicle that use the data parameters to perform one or more operations.

Abstract: A rail vehicle control communication system includes a vehicle management device capable of being coupled with a conductive pathway extending along a track and of forming an instruction to control an operation of a rail vehicle travelling along the track, the vehicle management device transmitting the instruction to the rail vehicle through the conductive pathway; and an on-board communication device capable of being coupled with the rail vehicle, the on-board communication device configured to receive the instruction communicated through the conductive pathway from the vehicle management device, the on-board communication device configured to change the operation of the rail vehicle based on the instruction.

Abstract: A data communication system for a vehicle includes an interface gateway device that is configured to be communicatively coupled with a data acquisition module and a client module. The interface gateway device is further configured to receive a value of a data parameter related to operation of the vehicle from the data acquisition module and to communicate the value to the client module for performing a function for the vehicle. The interface gateway device also is configured to determine when either of the data acquisition module or the client module is communicatively coupled with the interface gateway device and to implement respective communication configurations associated with the data acquisition module or the client module to receive the value of the data parameter from the data acquisition module or communicate the value of the data parameter to the client module.

Abstract: A method for communicating data in a rail vehicle consist includes transmitting, at a first rail vehicle in the consist, first data over a running rail to a second, different rail vehicle in the consist, where the running rail guides and supports the rail vehicles of the consist as the rail vehicles travel along the running rail. The method also includes monitoring the running rail for second data and receiving the second data over the running rail for use by a first system onboard the first rail vehicle.