System and method for distributing track information in a consist
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.
1. A system for communicating track information within a consist having at least a first locomotive and a second locomotive, the system comprising:
at least a first transceiver associated with the first locomotive and configured to receive the track information from a remote transceiver;
a communication link connecting the first locomotive with at least the second locomotive;
a communication controller associated with the first locomotive and configured to:
identify a lead locomotive of the consist;
send a signal to the lead locomotive indicating that the track information is received from the remote transceiver;
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.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication link includes a second transceiver associated with the second locomotive, the second transceiver is configured to communicate with at least one of the first transceiver or a third transceiver associated with the first locomotive.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the second transceiver and at least one of the first or third transceiver are configured to communicate wirelessly at a first frequency different than a second frequency at which the first transceiver communicates with the remote transceiver.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the second transceiver and at least one of the first or third transceiver are configured to communicate via a communication line.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication controller is further configured to:
if the lead locomotive is the first locomotive, send a critical portion of the track information to the second locomotive without waiting for a request from the second locomotive; and
in response to a request from the second locomotive, send a noncritical portion of the track information.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication controller is further configured to:
receive a track information update from a remote location; and
send the track information update to the second locomotive via the communication link.
7. A computer-implemented method for communicating track information within a consist, the method comprising:
identifying a lead locomotive of the consist;
receiving the track information at a first locomotive of the consist from a remote source;
notifying a processor associated with the lead locomotive that the track information has been received; and
communicating at least a portion of the track information from the first locomotive to at least a second locomotive in the consist,
wherein at least one of the first locomotive and the second locomotive comprises the lead locomotive.
8. The method of claim 7 , further including:
determining that the identity of the lead locomotive has changed, resulting in a new lead locomotive;
determining whether the new lead locomotive has received the track information; and
if the new lead locomotive has not received the track information, sending the track information to the new lead locomotive.
9. The method of claim 8 , further including:
determining whether the consist includes a third locomotive; and
if the new lead locomotive is one of the first and second locomotives, sending the track information to the third locomotive.
10. The method of claim 8 , further including:
determining whether the consist includes a third locomotive; and
commanding the second locomotive to send the track information to the third locomotive.
11. The method of claim 7 , further including:
receiving a signal indicative of a track information update at the first locomotive;
updating a track information database associated with the consist according to the track information update; and
sending the track information update to the second locomotive.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein, if the lead locomotive is the second locomotive, communicating at least a portion of the track information includes communicating all of the track information to the second locomotive.
13. The method of claim 7 , wherein, if the lead locomotive is the first locomotive, communicating at least a portion of the track information includes communicating a critical portion of the track information.
14. The method of claim 13 , further including:
receiving a request from the second locomotive for additional track information; and
sending a noncritical portion of the track information to the second locomotive.
15. A consist comprising:
at least a first locomotive and a second locomotive;
a first transceiver associated with the first locomotive and configured to receive track information from a remote transceiver;
a communication link connecting the first locomotive to the second locomotive;
a communication controller associated with the first locomotive and configured to:
identify a lead locomotive of the consist;
send a signal to the lead locomotive indicating that the track information is received from the remote transceiver;
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.
16. The consist of claim 15 , further including a second transceiver associated with the second locomotive that is configured to communicate with the first transceiver or a third transceiver associated with the first locomotive.
17. The consist of claim 16 , wherein the second transceiver and at least one of the first or third transceiver are configured to communicate wirelessly at a first frequency that is different than a second frequency at which the first transceiver communicates with the remote transceiver.
18. The consist of claim 16 , wherein the second transceiver and at least one of the first or third transceiver are configured to communicate through a communication line.
19. The consist of claim 15 , wherein the communication controller is further configured to:
if the lead locomotive is the first locomotive, send a critical portion of the track information to the second locomotive without waiting for a request from the second locomotive; and
in response to a request from the second locomotive, send a noncritical portion of the track information.
20. The consist of claim 15 , wherein the communication controller is further configured to:
receive a track information update from a remote location; and
send the track information update to the second locomotive via the communication link.