Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for performing a flight check of one or more navigational aid systems. Aspects include obtaining, using an aircraft, first information associated with an accuracy of signals transmitted by a localizer. Aspects also include obtaining, using the aircraft, second information associated with an accuracy of signals transmitted by a glide slope station. Aspects also include transmitting the first information and the second information to a ground receiver for processing.

Abstract: In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, apparatus, and a computer-readable medium enable communication among one or more ground stations. In certain configurations, the method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium may provide power line communication among a plurality of ground-based aeronautical equipment installations. In certain aspects, the plurality of ground-based aeronautical equipment installations may include a first station and a second station. In certain other configurations, the method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium may send, using the power line communication, a signal from the first station to the second station.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for performing a flight check of one or more navigational aid systems. Aspects include obtaining, using an aircraft, first information associated with an accuracy of signals transmitted by a localizer. Aspects also include obtaining, using the aircraft, second information associated with an accuracy of signals transmitted by a glide slope station. Aspects also include transmitting the first information and the second information to a ground receiver for processing.

Abstract: A mission planner system for a powered system, the mission planner system including a receiving device to collect aspect information as the powered system performs a mission, said aspect information being received from a remote location, a processor to determine a speed limit based at least in part on the aspect information, and a control system connected to the powered system to operate the powered system in response to the speed limit. A method and a computer software code for determining the mission plan with aspect information obtained from a remote location during the mission are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for performing a flight check of one or more navigational aid systems. Aspects include obtaining, using an aircraft, first information associated with an accuracy of signals transmitted by a localizer. Aspects also include obtaining, using the aircraft, second information associated with an accuracy of signals transmitted by a glide slope station. Aspects also include transmitting the first information and the second information to a ground receiver for processing.

Abstract: A positive location system is disclosed for a locomotive consist including at least two locomotives. The system may include a first locator element on a first locomotive and a second locator element on a second locomotive. Each locator element may include a receiving device and a transmitting device communicatively coupled with each other locator element. Each locator element may be configured to determine its own location, relay information on its location to at least one other locator element on another locomotive, receive location information on the at least one other locator element, and determine its own location relative to the location of the at least one other locator element. Each locator element may also provide location information for the at least one other locator element as though it were the at least one other locator element when the at least one other locator element is non-functional.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a communication system for a consist having a locomotive and a tender car. The communication system may have a locomotive access point configured to be located onboard the locomotive, a locomotive controller connected to the locomotive access point, a tender car access point configured to be located onboard the tender car, and a tender car controller connected to the tender car access point. The communication system may also have at least one network component configured to be located onboard the locomotive or the tender car and connected with a corresponding one of the locomotive and tender car access points, and a communication coupling extending between the locomotive and tender car access points. The locomotive and tender car controllers may be configured to selectively affect operation of the locomotive and tender car, respectively, based on operational information obtained via the at least one network component.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a track circuit is provided. The track circuit includes a transmit processing unit, a receive processing unit, and a plurality of rails coupled in series to form a track section having a first end and a second end. The transmit processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the first end. The receive processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the second end. The method includes operating the transmit processing unit so that a first voltage is applied to the track section, operating the receive processing unit to detect a first current signal, and if a parameter of the first current signal is not within a predetermined acceptable range, then communicating with the transmit processing unit so that the transmit processing unit applies a second voltage to the track section, the second voltage having a different magnitude than the first voltage.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a communication method for use with a train consist having a locomotive and a tender car. The communication method may include transmitting between the locomotive and the tender car operational data captured by network components located onboard at least one of the locomotive and the tender car. The method may further include selectively adjusting an operation of at least one of the locomotive and the tender car based on the data.

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 disclosure is directed to a communication system for a consist having a locomotive and a tender car. The communication system may have a locomotive access point configured to be located onboard the locomotive, a locomotive controller connected to the locomotive access point, a tender car access point configured to be located onboard the tender car, and a tender car controller connected to the tender car access point. The communication system may also have at least one network component configured to be located onboard the locomotive or the tender car and connected with a corresponding one of the locomotive and tender car access points, and a communication coupling extending between the locomotive and tender car access points. The locomotive and tender car controllers may be configured to selectively affect operation of the locomotive and tender car, respectively, based on operational information obtained via the at least one network component.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a communication method for use with a train consist having a locomotive and a tender car. The communication method may include transmitting between the locomotive and the tender car operational data captured by network components located onboard at least one of the locomotive and the tender car. The method may further include selectively adjusting an operation of at least one of the locomotive and the tender car based on the data.

Abstract: A positive location system is disclosed for a locomotive consist including at least two locomotives. The system may include a first locator element on a first locomotive and a second locator element on a second locomotive. Each locator element may include a receiving device and a transmitting device communicatively coupled with each other locator element. Each locator element may be configured to determine its own location, relay information on its location to at least one other locator element on another locomotive, receive location information on the at least one other locator element, and determine its own location relative to the location of the at least one other locator element. Each locator element may also provide location information for the at least one other locator element as though it were the at least one other locator element when the at least one other locator element is non-functional.

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: A system is provided for operating a railway network including a first railway vehicle during a trip along track segments. The system includes a first element for determining travel parameters of the first railway vehicle, a second element for determining travel parameters of a second railway vehicle relative to the track segments to be traversed by the first vehicle during the trip, a processor for receiving information from the first and the second elements and for determining a relationship between occupation of a track segment by the second vehicle and later occupation of the same track segment by the first vehicle and an algorithm embodied within the processor having access to the information to create a trip plan that determines a speed trajectory for the first vehicle. The speed trajectory is responsive to the relationship and further in accordance with one or more operational criteria for the first vehicle.

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.

Abstract: A method for operating a locomotive is provided. The method includes coupling a processor within the locomotive to monitor at least one of an operating parameter and an equipment operation. The method also includes determining a status of a locomotive pre-trip or departure test using the processor and operating an interlock based on the status of the pre-trip or departure test, wherein the interlock is configured to regulate an operating speed of the locomotive.

Abstract: Systems are provided for efficiently managing the effects of a change to a transportation system's state. One example system comprises a plurality of distributed data input and data output terminals, the distributed data input terminal configured to automatically generate data related to a first aspect of transportation system operation, at least one of a distributed database and a synchronized database configured to store data, a plurality of distributed computational engines configured to receive data from at least one database, and based on the data received, automatically manage operations of a second, different aspect of the transportation system operations, and a communications network linking the data input terminals, the data output terminals, the databases, and the computational engines, wherein the change to the transportation system's state is initiated by the data generated at the distributed input terminals.