Patent ID: 7535865
Filing Date: 2009-05-19
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
1. A system for remotely controlling a plurality of locomotives via first and second half duplex wireless channels comprising: a plurality of controllers, one for installation on-board of each of the locomotives, wherein each controller comprises a transmitter, a receiver a GPS receiver and a timing means, and wherein each of said plurality of controller periodically receives coordinates of the geographic position of its respective locomotive from its respective GPS receiver, a plurality of control units, each comprising a transmitter and a receiver, wherein each of said control units is associated with one of said controllers for transmitting and receiving signals for controlling one of said locomotives, wherein each timing means is synchronized by a common source and wherein each controller is assigned a time slot for sending a polling message to said associated control unit and receiving a responsive transmission therefrom; a plurality of repeaters, wherein each of said plurality of repeaters has an address code and comprises a transmitter, a receiver, and a microprocessor, wherein each of said repeaters receives a signal from one of said controllers and control units on said second half duplex wireless channel; and wherein each of said controllers uses said coordinates as a basis for choosing the address code of one of said plurality of repeaters to include in its polling signal to be sent over said second half duplex wireless channel.