The Distributive Power Communications Box is a critical component in modern locomotive distributed power systems. It enables remote control of locomotives within a train consist, enhancing overall train performance and efficiency.
Key features of the Distributive Power Communications Box include:
Advanced radio communication capabilities, allowing for control between lead and remote locomotives.
Dual-radio receive diversity, which reduces communication loss by 50%, enabling trains to maintain track speed more consistently.
Integration with Positive Train Control (PTC) networks, providing additional communication options such as 220 MHz, cellular, and Wi-Fi as backup to the primary radio network.
Enhanced diagnostics, giving crew members greater insight into system performance and potential issues.
Ability to act as a repeater for rear-end device communications, improving overall train communication reliability.
These advanced features allow for longer trains, improved fuel efficiency, and more consistent operations, particularly in challenging terrain. The system automatically selects available frequencies during setup to avoid interference with nearby distributed power trains.
By leveraging multiple communication paths and integrating with existing PTC infrastructure, the Distributive Power Communications Box significantly enhances the reliability and effectiveness of distributed power operations in modern freight rail system