Importance

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Abstract

A system for electronically controlling brakes on a train is responsive to a brake handle positionable into any one of a plurality of discrete positions. The discrete brake control system includes a cab station unit, a brake control unit, a comm channel and a direct communication device. The cab station unit generates both a base signal stream and a dedicated signal stream. The base signal stream is indicative of parameters for operating the system including the discrete brake handle positions. The dedicated signal stream is solely indicative of the discrete brake handle positions. The brake control unit controls operation of the brakes in coordinated response to both the base and the dedicated signal streams. The comm channel is the route through which the base signal stream is communicated from the cab station unit to the brake control unit. The direct communication device is in parallel with the comm channel and is the route through which the dedicated signal stream is communicated from the cab station unit to the brake control unit. Information pertaining to the discrete brake handle positions is communicated to the brake control unit faster through the direct communication device than through the comm channel. This enables the brake control unit to respond promptly to positioning of the brake handle.

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First Claim