METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING AMONG A PLURALITY OF MOBILE ASSETS

A method and system for a lead mobile asset (18) to verify that a remote mobile asset (22, 26) 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 (18) and remote mobile assets (22, 26) may be part of a train consist (10) equipped with a distributed power communication system. The method includes determining whether the lead mobile asset (18) has received a status reply message from the remote mobile asset (22, 26), 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 (52) from the lead mobile asset (18) if the lead mobile asset has not received the status reply message from the remote mobile asset (22, 26). The help command message may be repeated (54) by a remote mobile asset and a help reply message may be transmitted (58) in response to the help command message from the remote mobile asset (22, 26) in communication loss. The help reply message may include data indicative of at least one operational state of the remote mobile asset (22, 26) and be repeated by another remote mobile asset (22, 26) to the lead mobile asset (18). The help reply message may be received (64) at the lead mobile asset thereby verifying that the remote mobile asset (22, 26) is following the set of command functions. A system may include control modules (35) configured to allow a distributed power communication function to be performed by one remote mobile asset (22, 24) and a help message repeater function to be performed by another remote mobile asset (22, 24). These functions may be configured as modular units so that remote mobile assets may execute the functions on a selective basis.