Patent ID: 6229452
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: B60T

Abstract:
A communication method for an ECP freight train brake system having a ECP trainline wire, a locomotive with a head-end-unit including a master controller, a plurality of ECP freight cars each including a transceiver for communicating with at least one of said master controller and transceivers other ECP freight cars via the ECP trainline, said method comprising:a. placing said transceiver in a sleep mode during normal train operations;b. detecting messages sent via said ECP trainline;c. periodically waking at least a receiver portion of said transceiver to at least receive messages sent via said ECP trainline;d. returning said transceiver to said sleep mode after receiving said messages;e. waking up said transceiver responsive to a wake up command sent via said ECP trainline; andf. returning said transceiver to said sleep mode after said wake up command.