Patent ID: 6867708
Filing Date: 2005-03-15
Classification: B61L,H04L,H04W

Abstract:
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: