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Communications system and method for interconnected networks having a linear topology, especially railways

  • US 6,867,708 B2
  • Filed: 08/31/2001
  • Issued: 03/15/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of determining a physical order of plural railcars in a train consist where the railcars are connected to each other through a pneumatic brake pipe and an RF communication link and where the train consist includes at least one head end unit (HEU), comprising the steps of:

  • a. transmitting a pneumatic pressure pulse along the brake pipe from a selected HEU to the other railcars;

    b. transmitting an RF signal from the selected HEU to the railcars;

    c. receiving the RF signal at a first railcar;

    d. receiving the pneumatic pressure pulse at the first railcar;

    e. transmitting an RF message from the first railcar to the HEU indicating the position of the first railcar;

    f. receiving the RF signal transmitted by the first railcar at a second railcar;

    g. receiving the pneumatic pressure pulse at the second railcar;

    h. transmitting an RF message from the second railcar to the to the HEU indicating the position of the second railcar; and

    k. for each remaining railcars successively;

    (1) receiving at least one RF signal transmitted by another railcar announcing the transmitting railcar'"'"'s relative position;

    (2) receiving the pneumatic pressure pulse;

    (3) determining the relative position of the railcar as a function of the time between the receipt of the pneumatic pulse and the receipt of the immediately preceding RF message transmitted by another railcar;

    (4) transmitting the determined relative position of the railcar to the HEU.

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