Method and system for communicating among a plurality of mobile assets

摘要

A method and system for a lead mobile asset to verify that a remote mobile asset under the control of the lead mobile asset is following a set of command functions broadcast by the lead mobile asset in a command message. The lead and remote mobile assets may be part of a train consist equipped with a distributed power communication system. The method includes determining whether the lead mobile asset has received a status reply message from the remote mobile asset, the reply message transmitted in response to the remote mobile asset's receipt of the command message and including data indicative of at least one operational state of the remote mobile asset. A help command message may be broadcast from the lead mobile asset if the lead mobile asset has not received the status reply message from the remote mobile asset. The help command message may be repeated by a remote mobile asset and a help reply message may be transmitted in response to the help command message from the remote mobile asset in communication loss. The help reply message may include data indicative of at least one operational state of the remote mobile asset and be repeated by another remote mobile asset to the lead mobile asset. The help reply message may be received at the lead mobile asset thereby verifying that the remote mobile asset is following the set of command functions. A system may include control modules configured to allow a distributed power communication function to be performed by one remote mobile asset and a help message repeater function to be performed by another remote mobile asset. These functions may be configured as modular units so that remote mobile assets may execute the functions on a selective basis.