RailNet AEI System – Introduction - Revision history

AShanks: Replaced outdated software table with new link redirecting to current RailNet software documentation.

2026-05-07T20:54:30Z

Replaced outdated software table with new link redirecting to current RailNet software documentation.

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 == The Software ==
 </div>
-<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>All versions present a consistent user interface. However, the available commands and features differ between versions (later versions may provide new features and drop certain commands no longer needed). Sections of the manual that are specific to certain versions are noted when possible but, generally, most sections apply to all versions.&nbsp;</p></div>
+<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>All versions present a consistent user interface. However, the available commands and features differ between versions (later versions may provide new features and drop certain commands no longer needed). Sections of the manual that are specific to certain versions are noted when possible but, generally, most sections apply to all versions.&nbsp;</p><p>See [[RailNET Software]] for details about the current supported versions of the software.</p></div>
 <div style="font-weight: 400;">

AShanks at 16:13, 12 January 2026

2026-01-12T16:13:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:13, 12 January 2026
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	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= What is AEI? =		= What is AEI? =
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) system automatically collects and transfers electronically coded information from rolling equipment to a host computer management system. Train identification involves acquiring railcar axle and tag data from trains passing the site. The APU-102 and other AEI site components are employed to acquire the axle and tag data of the trains that passed the site. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) system automatically collects and transfers electronically coded information from rolling equipment to a host computer management system. Train identification involves acquiring railcar axle and tag data from trains passing the site. The APU-102 and other AEI site components are employed to acquire the axle and tag data of the trains that passed the site. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>As the train passes the site, the APU-102 senses train presence, direction, and speed via the wheel detectors and decodes the tag data via the RFID subsystem (~~refer to~~ [[#The Hardware\| The Hardware]]). When it receives the axle and tag data, it combines the data to create a clean consist - a list of the all cars and locomotives on the train. Within seconds of the train passing the site, the APU-102 delivers the clean consist to the host system. At the host system it can be reviewed and manipulated by the user.</p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>As the train passes the site, the APU-102 senses train presence, direction, and speed via the wheel detectors and decodes the tag data via the radio-frequency identification (RFID) subsystem (see [[#The Hardware\| The Hardware]] section below). When it receives the axle and tag data, it combines the data to create a clean consist - a list of the all cars and locomotives on the train. Within seconds of the train passing the site, the APU-102 delivers the clean consist to the host system. At the host system it can be reviewed and manipulated by the user.</p></div>

	= APU-102 Overview =		= APU-102 Overview =
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>
	<div>		<div>

	== The Hardware ==		== The Hardware ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The hardware is detailed later in this text. The original APU-102 was designed around a 286-AT class processor. The software development quickly outgrew the 286 and there are no longer any 286 APU-102s in use. Next came a 486SX based processor on a 486SLC board. To track different configurations of the APU-102, including CPU type, suffixes were added to the APU-102’s serial number. The 486 was noted with an “E”. Throughout this manual, you will see references to the APU “Series” (E Series=486). The P Series APU-102 uses a Pentium processor, board designation is LPMTX. The current processor, L Series, is an AMD chipset and the board is designated LX-800.  </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The hardware is detailed later in this text. The original APU-102 was designed around a 286-AT class processor. The software development quickly outgrew the 286 and there are no longer any 286 APU-102s in use. Next came a 486SX based processor on a 486SLC board. To track different configurations of the APU-102, including CPU type, suffixes were added to the APU-102’s serial number. The 486 was noted with an “E”. Throughout this manual, you will see references to the APU “Series” (E Series=486). The P Series APU-102 uses a Pentium processor, board designation is LPMTX. The current processor, L Series, is an AMD chipset and the board is designated LX-800.  </p></div>
	<div>		<div>

	== The Software ==		== The Software ==
	</div>		</div>
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	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= APU-102 Operation =		= APU-102 Operation =
	</div>		</div>
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	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Methods and equipment used to acquire axles and tags may vary depending on site setup; however, the AEI system process of acquiring train data always involves some form of these two subsystems. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Methods and equipment used to acquire axles and tags may vary depending on site setup; however, the AEI system process of acquiring train data always involves some form of these two subsystems. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	== Axle Acquisition Subsystem ==		== Axle Acquisition Subsystem ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Wheel detectors are the main component of axle acquisition. They determine initial train presence and train direction and speed by identifying wheel events (or axle count) for the passing railcar. Components of this subsystem include one or more wheel detectors, proper cabling, a wheel detector interface card, and a track directional analyzer in the APU-102. Since wheel detectors depend on train movement to detect presence, a presence circuit must be employed to keep the session open when a train has stopped at the site. The presence circuit may also be used to establish initial train presence, as a wheel detector would. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Wheel detectors are the main component of axle acquisition. They determine initial train presence and train direction and speed by identifying wheel events (or axle count) for the passing railcar. Components of this subsystem include one or more wheel detectors, proper cabling, a wheel detector interface card, and a track directional analyzer in the APU-102. Since wheel detectors depend on train movement to detect presence, a presence circuit must be employed to keep the session open when a train has stopped at the site. The presence circuit may also be used to establish initial train presence, as a wheel detector would. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	== RFID Subsystem ==		== RFID Subsystem ==
	</div>		</div>

AShanks: AShanks moved page APU-102 Introduction to RailNet AEI System – Introduction

2025-12-22T18:24:47Z

AShanks moved page APU-102 Introduction to RailNet AEI System – Introduction

← Older revision	Revision as of 18:24, 22 December 2025
(No difference)

AShanks at 18:23, 22 December 2025

2025-12-22T18:23:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:23, 22 December 2025
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	<div style="font-weight: 400;">~~[[APU-102 Manual]]~~		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= What is AEI? =		= What is AEI? =
	</div>		</div>
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	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>
	<div>		<div>

	== The Hardware ==		== The Hardware ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The hardware is detailed later in this text. The original APU-102 was designed around a 286-AT class processor. The software development quickly outgrew the 286 and there are no longer any 286 APU-102s in use. Next came a 486SX based processor on a 486SLC board. To track different configurations of the APU-102, including CPU type, suffixes were added to the APU-102’s serial number. The 486 was noted with an “E”. Throughout this manual, you will see references to the APU “Series” (E Series=486). The P Series APU-102 uses a Pentium processor, board designation is LPMTX. The current processor, L Series, is an AMD chipset and the board is designated LX-800.  </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The hardware is detailed later in this text. The original APU-102 was designed around a 286-AT class processor. The software development quickly outgrew the 286 and there are no longer any 286 APU-102s in use. Next came a 486SX based processor on a 486SLC board. To track different configurations of the APU-102, including CPU type, suffixes were added to the APU-102’s serial number. The 486 was noted with an “E”. Throughout this manual, you will see references to the APU “Series” (E Series=486). The P Series APU-102 uses a Pentium processor, board designation is LPMTX. The current processor, L Series, is an AMD chipset and the board is designated LX-800.  </p></div>
	<div>		<div>

	== The Software ==		== The Software ==
	</div>		</div>
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	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= APU-102 Operation =		= APU-102 Operation =
	</div>		</div>
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	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Methods and equipment used to acquire axles and tags may vary depending on site setup; however, the AEI system process of acquiring train data always involves some form of these two subsystems. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Methods and equipment used to acquire axles and tags may vary depending on site setup; however, the AEI system process of acquiring train data always involves some form of these two subsystems. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	== Axle Acquisition Subsystem ==		== Axle Acquisition Subsystem ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Wheel detectors are the main component of axle acquisition. They determine initial train presence and train direction and speed by identifying wheel events (or axle count) for the passing railcar. Components of this subsystem include one or more wheel detectors, proper cabling, a wheel detector interface card, and a track directional analyzer in the APU-102. Since wheel detectors depend on train movement to detect presence, a presence circuit must be employed to keep the session open when a train has stopped at the site. The presence circuit may also be used to establish initial train presence, as a wheel detector would. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Wheel detectors are the main component of axle acquisition. They determine initial train presence and train direction and speed by identifying wheel events (or axle count) for the passing railcar. Components of this subsystem include one or more wheel detectors, proper cabling, a wheel detector interface card, and a track directional analyzer in the APU-102. Since wheel detectors depend on train movement to detect presence, a presence circuit must be employed to keep the session open when a train has stopped at the site. The presence circuit may also be used to establish initial train presence, as a wheel detector would. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	== RFID Subsystem ==		== RFID Subsystem ==
	</div>		</div>

GMalcom at 12:46, 27 September 2024

2024-09-27T12:46:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:46, 27 September 2024
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	= APU-102 Overview =		= APU-102 Overview =
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>
	<div >		<div>

	== The Hardware ==		== The Hardware ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The hardware is detailed later in this text. The original APU-102 was designed around a 286-AT class processor. The software development quickly outgrew the 286 and there are no longer any 286 APU-102s in use. Next came a 486SX based processor on a 486SLC board. To track different configurations of the APU-102, including CPU type, suffixes were added to the APU-102’s serial number. The 486 was noted with an “E”. Throughout this manual, you will see references to the APU “Series” (E Series=486). The P Series APU-102 uses a Pentium processor, board designation is LPMTX. The current processor, L Series, is an AMD chipset and the board is designated LX-800.  </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The hardware is detailed later in this text. The original APU-102 was designed around a 286-AT class processor. The software development quickly outgrew the 286 and there are no longer any 286 APU-102s in use. Next came a 486SX based processor on a 486SLC board. To track different configurations of the APU-102, including CPU type, suffixes were added to the APU-102’s serial number. The 486 was noted with an “E”. Throughout this manual, you will see references to the APU “Series” (E Series=486). The P Series APU-102 uses a Pentium processor, board designation is LPMTX. The current processor, L Series, is an AMD chipset and the board is designated LX-800.  </p></div>
	<div >		<div>

	== The Software ==		== The Software ==
	</div>		</div>
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	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= APU-102 Operation =		= APU-102 Operation =
	</div>		</div>
Line 55:		Line 58:
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Methods and equipment used to acquire axles and tags may vary depending on site setup; however, the AEI system process of acquiring train data always involves some form of these two subsystems. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Methods and equipment used to acquire axles and tags may vary depending on site setup; however, the AEI system process of acquiring train data always involves some form of these two subsystems. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">
	== ~~<span style="font-size: 14pt;">~~Axle Acquisition Subsystem~~</span>~~ ==
			== Axle Acquisition Subsystem ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Wheel detectors are the main component of axle acquisition. They determine initial train presence and train direction and speed by identifying wheel events (or axle count) for the passing railcar. Components of this subsystem include one or more wheel detectors, proper cabling, a wheel detector interface card, and a track directional analyzer in the APU-102. Since wheel detectors depend on train movement to detect presence, a presence circuit must be employed to keep the session open when a train has stopped at the site. The presence circuit may also be used to establish initial train presence, as a wheel detector would. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Wheel detectors are the main component of axle acquisition. They determine initial train presence and train direction and speed by identifying wheel events (or axle count) for the passing railcar. Components of this subsystem include one or more wheel detectors, proper cabling, a wheel detector interface card, and a track directional analyzer in the APU-102. Since wheel detectors depend on train movement to detect presence, a presence circuit must be employed to keep the session open when a train has stopped at the site. The presence circuit may also be used to establish initial train presence, as a wheel detector would. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">
	== ~~<span style="font-size: 14pt;">~~RFID Subsystem~~</span>~~ ==
			== RFID Subsystem ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The RFID subsystem employs RF technology to receive and transmit train information to the APU-102 from the electronically coded tags mounted on each railcar and locomotive. Components of this subsystem include an AR2200 RF unit, AI1200 reader logic board, one or more antennas, and an RFID tag. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The RFID subsystem employs RF technology to receive and transmit train information to the APU-102 from the electronically coded tags mounted on each railcar and locomotive. Components of this subsystem include an AR2200 RF unit, AI1200 reader logic board, one or more antennas, and an RFID tag. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Descriptions of the subsystem components and AEI system operation appear later in this manual. Refer to the [[APU-102_AEI_Site_Operation#Train_Processing_Block_Diagrams\|Train Processing Block Diagrams]] for a graphical overview of APU-102 operation. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Descriptions of the subsystem components and AEI system operation appear later in this manual. Refer to the [[APU-102_AEI_Site_Operation#Train_Processing_Block_Diagrams\|Train Processing Block Diagrams]] for a graphical overview of APU-102 operation. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p><br></p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p><br></p></div>

GMalcom at 12:46, 27 September 2024

2024-09-27T12:46:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:46, 27 September 2024
Line 1:		Line 1:
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">[[APU-102 Manual]]		<div style="font-weight: 400;">[[APU-102 Manual]]

	=~~<span style="font-size: 18pt;">~~What is AEI?~~</span>~~=		= What is AEI? =
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) system automatically collects and transfers electronically coded information from rolling equipment to a host computer management system. Train identification involves acquiring railcar axle and tag data from trains passing the site. The APU-102 and other AEI site components are employed to acquire the axle and tag data of the trains that passed the site. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) system automatically collects and transfers electronically coded information from rolling equipment to a host computer management system. Train identification involves acquiring railcar axle and tag data from trains passing the site. The APU-102 and other AEI site components are employed to acquire the axle and tag data of the trains that passed the site. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>As the train passes the site, the APU-102 senses train presence, direction, and speed via the wheel detectors and decodes the tag data via the RFID subsystem (refer to [[#The Hardware\| The Hardware]]). When it receives the axle and tag data, it combines the data to create a clean consist - a list of the all cars and locomotives on the train. Within seconds of the train passing the site, the APU-102 delivers the clean consist to the host system. At the host system it can be reviewed and manipulated by the user.</p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>As the train passes the site, the APU-102 senses train presence, direction, and speed via the wheel detectors and decodes the tag data via the RFID subsystem (refer to [[#The Hardware\| The Hardware]]). When it receives the axle and tag data, it combines the data to create a clean consist - a list of the all cars and locomotives on the train. Within seconds of the train passing the site, the APU-102 delivers the clean consist to the host system. At the host system it can be reviewed and manipulated by the user.</p></div>
	= ~~<span style="font-size: 18pt;">~~APU-102 ~~Overview</span>~~ =
			= APU-102 Overview =
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>
	<div ~~style="font-weight: 400;"~~>		<div >
			== The Hardware ==
	== ~~<span style="font-size: 14pt;">~~The Hardware~~</span>~~ ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The hardware is detailed later in this text. The original APU-102 was designed around a 286-AT class processor. The software development quickly outgrew the 286 and there are no longer any 286 APU-102s in use. Next came a 486SX based processor on a 486SLC board. To track different configurations of the APU-102, including CPU type, suffixes were added to the APU-102’s serial number. The 486 was noted with an “E”. Throughout this manual, you will see references to the APU “Series” (E Series=486). The P Series APU-102 uses a Pentium processor, board designation is LPMTX. The current processor, L Series, is an AMD chipset and the board is designated LX-800.  </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The hardware is detailed later in this text. The original APU-102 was designed around a 286-AT class processor. The software development quickly outgrew the 286 and there are no longer any 286 APU-102s in use. Next came a 486SX based processor on a 486SLC board. To track different configurations of the APU-102, including CPU type, suffixes were added to the APU-102’s serial number. The 486 was noted with an “E”. Throughout this manual, you will see references to the APU “Series” (E Series=486). The P Series APU-102 uses a Pentium processor, board designation is LPMTX. The current processor, L Series, is an AMD chipset and the board is designated LX-800.  </p></div>
	<div ~~style="font-weight: 400;"~~>		<div >
			== The Software ==
	== ~~<span style="font-size: 14pt;">~~The Software~~</span>~~ ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>All versions present a consistent user interface. However, the available commands and features differ between versions (later versions may provide new features and drop certain commands no longer needed). Sections of the manual that are specific to certain versions are noted when possible but, generally, most sections apply to all versions. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>All versions present a consistent user interface. However, the available commands and features differ between versions (later versions may provide new features and drop certain commands no longer needed). Sections of the manual that are specific to certain versions are noted when possible but, generally, most sections apply to all versions. </p></div>
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	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">
	= ~~<span style="font-size: 18pt;">~~APU-102 Operation~~</span>~~ =</div>		= APU-102 Operation =
			</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Auxiliary Processor Unit (APU-102) is the central component of the AEI system’s data acquisition process. The APU-102 identifies train equipment using an axle acquisition subsystem and an RFID subsystem. In the axle acquisition subsystem, the APU-102 receives axle data through rail-mounted wheel detectors. Wheel detectors (or “wheel transducers”) identify initial train presence, train movement, and speed. The APU-102 uses the RFID subsystem to read electronically coded tags mounted on the side of locomotives, railcars, trailers, and end-of-train (EOT) units at speeds up to 79 mph. The APU-102 stores all tag data, including time and date, train direction, and speed through the AEI site. The information is stored by train sequence and can be reviewed through local or remote access. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Auxiliary Processor Unit (APU-102) is the central component of the AEI system’s data acquisition process. The APU-102 identifies train equipment using an axle acquisition subsystem and an RFID subsystem. In the axle acquisition subsystem, the APU-102 receives axle data through rail-mounted wheel detectors. Wheel detectors (or “wheel transducers”) identify initial train presence, train movement, and speed. The APU-102 uses the RFID subsystem to read electronically coded tags mounted on the side of locomotives, railcars, trailers, and end-of-train (EOT) units at speeds up to 79 mph. The APU-102 stores all tag data, including time and date, train direction, and speed through the AEI site. The information is stored by train sequence and can be reviewed through local or remote access. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Methods and equipment used to acquire axles and tags may vary depending on site setup; however, the AEI system process of acquiring train data always involves some form of these two subsystems. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Methods and equipment used to acquire axles and tags may vary depending on site setup; however, the AEI system process of acquiring train data always involves some form of these two subsystems. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	== <span style="font-size: 14pt;">Axle Acquisition Subsystem</span> ==		== <span style="font-size: 14pt;">Axle Acquisition Subsystem</span> ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Wheel detectors are the main component of axle acquisition. They determine initial train presence and train direction and speed by identifying wheel events (or axle count) for the passing railcar. Components of this subsystem include one or more wheel detectors, proper cabling, a wheel detector interface card, and a track directional analyzer in the APU-102. Since wheel detectors depend on train movement to detect presence, a presence circuit must be employed to keep the session open when a train has stopped at the site. The presence circuit may also be used to establish initial train presence, as a wheel detector would. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Wheel detectors are the main component of axle acquisition. They determine initial train presence and train direction and speed by identifying wheel events (or axle count) for the passing railcar. Components of this subsystem include one or more wheel detectors, proper cabling, a wheel detector interface card, and a track directional analyzer in the APU-102. Since wheel detectors depend on train movement to detect presence, a presence circuit must be employed to keep the session open when a train has stopped at the site. The presence circuit may also be used to establish initial train presence, as a wheel detector would. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	== <span style="font-size: 14pt;">RFID Subsystem</span> ==		== <span style="font-size: 14pt;">RFID Subsystem</span> ==
	</div>		</div>

GMalcom at 17:39, 26 September 2024

2024-09-26T17:39:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:39, 26 September 2024
Line 1:		Line 1:
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">[[APU-102 Manual]]		<div style="font-weight: 400;">[[APU-102 Manual]]

	= <span style="font-size: 18pt;">What is AEI?</span> =</div>		=<span style="font-size: 18pt;">What is AEI?</span>=
			</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) system automatically collects and transfers electronically coded information from rolling equipment to a host computer management system. Train identification involves acquiring railcar axle and tag data from trains passing the site. The APU-102 and other AEI site components are employed to acquire the axle and tag data of the trains that passed the site. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) system automatically collects and transfers electronically coded information from rolling equipment to a host computer management system. Train identification involves acquiring railcar axle and tag data from trains passing the site. The APU-102 and other AEI site components are employed to acquire the axle and tag data of the trains that passed the site. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>As the train passes the site, the APU-102 senses train presence, direction, and speed via the wheel detectors and decodes the tag data via the RFID subsystem (refer to [[#The Hardware\| The Hardware]]). When it receives the axle and tag data, it combines the data to create a clean consist - a list of the all cars and locomotives on the train. Within seconds of the train passing the site, the APU-102 delivers the clean consist to the host system. At the host system it can be reviewed and manipulated by the user.</p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>As the train passes the site, the APU-102 senses train presence, direction, and speed via the wheel detectors and decodes the tag data via the RFID subsystem (refer to [[#The Hardware\| The Hardware]]). When it receives the axle and tag data, it combines the data to create a clean consist - a list of the all cars and locomotives on the train. Within seconds of the train passing the site, the APU-102 delivers the clean consist to the host system. At the host system it can be reviewed and manipulated by the user.</p></div>

GMalcom: Fixed heading formatting, changed language to better reflect wiki structure.

2024-09-26T17:38:12Z

Fixed heading formatting, changed language to better reflect wiki structure.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:38, 26 September 2024
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	<div style="font-weight: 400;">[[APU-102 Manual]]		<div style="font-weight: 400;">[[APU-102 Manual]]

	= What is AEI? =		= <span style="font-size: 18pt;">What is AEI?</span> =</div>
	</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) system automatically collects and transfers electronically coded information from rolling equipment to a host computer management system. Train identification involves acquiring railcar axle and tag data from trains passing the site. The APU-102 and other AEI site components are employed to acquire the axle and tag data of the trains that passed the site. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) system automatically collects and transfers electronically coded information from rolling equipment to a host computer management system. Train identification involves acquiring railcar axle and tag data from trains passing the site. The APU-102 and other AEI site components are employed to acquire the axle and tag data of the trains that passed the site. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>As the train passes the site, the APU-102 senses train presence, direction, and speed via the wheel detectors and decodes the tag data via the RFID subsystem (refer to [[#The Hardware\| The Hardware]]). When it receives the axle and tag data, it combines the data to create a clean consist - a list of the all cars and locomotives on the train. Within seconds of the train passing the site, the APU-102 delivers the clean consist to the host system. At the host system it can be reviewed and manipulated by the user.</p>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>As the train passes the site, the APU-102 senses train presence, direction, and speed via the wheel detectors and decodes the tag data via the RFID subsystem (refer to [[#The Hardware\| The Hardware]]). When it receives the axle and tag data, it combines the data to create a clean consist - a list of the all cars and locomotives on the train. Within seconds of the train passing the site, the APU-102 delivers the clean consist to the host system. At the host system it can be reviewed and manipulated by the user.</p></div>
	<span style="font-size: ~~27.072px~~;">APU-102 Overview~~ ~~</span>~~</div>~~		= <span style="font-size: 18pt;">APU-102 Overview</span> =
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= The ~~Hardware~~ =		== <span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Hardware</span> ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The hardware is detailed later in this text. The original APU-102 was designed around a 286-AT class processor. The software development quickly ~~out grew~~ the 286 and there are no longer any 286 APU-102s in use. Next came a 486SX based processor on a 486SLC board. To track different configurations of the APU-102, including CPU type, suffixes were added to the APU-102’s serial number. The 486 was noted with an “E”. Throughout this manual, you will see references to the APU “Series” (E Series=486). The P Series APU-102 uses a Pentium processor, board designation is LPMTX. The current processor, L Series, is an AMD chipset and the board is designated LX-800.  </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The hardware is detailed later in this text. The original APU-102 was designed around a 286-AT class processor. The software development quickly outgrew the 286 and there are no longer any 286 APU-102s in use. Next came a 486SX based processor on a 486SLC board. To track different configurations of the APU-102, including CPU type, suffixes were added to the APU-102’s serial number. The 486 was noted with an “E”. Throughout this manual, you will see references to the APU “Series” (E Series=486). The P Series APU-102 uses a Pentium processor, board designation is LPMTX. The current processor, L Series, is an AMD chipset and the board is designated LX-800.  </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= The ~~Software~~ =		== <span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Software</span> ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>All versions present a consistent user interface. However, the available commands and features differ between versions (later versions may provide new features and drop certain commands no longer needed). Sections of the manual that are specific to certain versions are noted when possible but, generally, most sections apply to all versions. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>All versions present a consistent user interface. However, the available commands and features differ between versions (later versions may provide new features and drop certain commands no longer needed). Sections of the manual that are specific to certain versions are noted when possible but, generally, most sections apply to all versions. </p></div>
	~~<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p><br></p></div>~~
	~~<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p><br></p></div>~~
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><div aria-hidden="true"><br></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><div aria-hidden="true"><br></div>

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	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">
			= <span style="font-size: 18pt;">APU-102 Operation</span> =</div>
	= APU-102 ~~Operation~~ =
	</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Auxiliary Processor Unit (APU-102) is the central component of the AEI system’s data acquisition process. The APU-102 identifies train equipment using an axle acquisition subsystem and an RFID subsystem. In the axle acquisition subsystem, the APU-102 receives axle data through rail-mounted wheel detectors. Wheel detectors (or “wheel transducers”) identify initial train presence, train movement, and speed. The APU-102 uses the RFID subsystem to read electronically coded tags mounted on the side of locomotives, railcars, trailers, and end-of-train (EOT) units at speeds up to 79 mph. The APU-102 stores all tag data, including time and date, train direction, and speed through the AEI site. The information is stored by train sequence and can be reviewed through local or remote access. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Auxiliary Processor Unit (APU-102) is the central component of the AEI system’s data acquisition process. The APU-102 identifies train equipment using an axle acquisition subsystem and an RFID subsystem. In the axle acquisition subsystem, the APU-102 receives axle data through rail-mounted wheel detectors. Wheel detectors (or “wheel transducers”) identify initial train presence, train movement, and speed. The APU-102 uses the RFID subsystem to read electronically coded tags mounted on the side of locomotives, railcars, trailers, and end-of-train (EOT) units at speeds up to 79 mph. The APU-102 stores all tag data, including time and date, train direction, and speed through the AEI site. The information is stored by train sequence and can be reviewed through local or remote access. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Methods and equipment used to acquire axles and tags may vary depending on site setup; however, the AEI system process of acquiring train data always involves some form of these two subsystems. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Methods and equipment used to acquire axles and tags may vary depending on site setup; however, the AEI system process of acquiring train data always involves some form of these two subsystems. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= Axle Acquisition ~~Subsystem~~ =		== <span style="font-size: 14pt;">Axle Acquisition Subsystem</span> ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Wheel detectors are the main component of axle acquisition. They determine initial train presence and train direction and speed by identifying wheel events (or axle count) for the passing railcar. Components of this subsystem include one or more wheel detectors, proper cabling, a wheel detector interface card, and a track directional analyzer in the APU-102. Since wheel detectors depend on train movement to detect presence, a presence circuit must be employed to keep the session open when a train has stopped at the site. The presence circuit may also be used to establish initial train presence, as a wheel detector would. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Wheel detectors are the main component of axle acquisition. They determine initial train presence and train direction and speed by identifying wheel events (or axle count) for the passing railcar. Components of this subsystem include one or more wheel detectors, proper cabling, a wheel detector interface card, and a track directional analyzer in the APU-102. Since wheel detectors depend on train movement to detect presence, a presence circuit must be employed to keep the session open when a train has stopped at the site. The presence circuit may also be used to establish initial train presence, as a wheel detector would. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= RFID ~~Subsystem~~ =		== <span style="font-size: 14pt;">RFID Subsystem</span> ==
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The RFID subsystem employs RF technology to receive and transmit train information to the APU-102 from the electronically coded tags mounted on each railcar and locomotive. Components of this subsystem include an AR2200 RF unit, AI1200 reader logic board, one or more antennas, and an RFID tag. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The RFID subsystem employs RF technology to receive and transmit train information to the APU-102 from the electronically coded tags mounted on each railcar and locomotive. Components of this subsystem include an AR2200 RF unit, AI1200 reader logic board, one or more antennas, and an RFID tag. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Descriptions of the subsystem components and AEI system operation appear later in this manual. Refer to the Train Processing Block Diagrams ~~at the end of 2.0 AEI Site Operation~~ for a graphical overview of APU-102 operation. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Descriptions of the subsystem components and AEI system operation appear later in this manual. Refer to the [[APU-102_AEI_Site_Operation#Train_Processing_Block_Diagrams\|Train Processing Block Diagrams]] for a graphical overview of APU-102 operation. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p><br></p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p><br></p></div>
	~~<div style="font-weight: 400;"></div>~~

GMalcom at 16:54, 26 September 2024

2024-09-26T16:54:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:54, 26 September 2024
Line 4:		Line 4:
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) system automatically collects and transfers electronically coded information from rolling equipment to a host computer management system. Train identification involves acquiring railcar axle and tag data from trains passing the site. The APU-102 and other AEI site components are employed to acquire the axle and tag data of the trains that passed the site. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) system automatically collects and transfers electronically coded information from rolling equipment to a host computer management system. Train identification involves acquiring railcar axle and tag data from trains passing the site. The APU-102 and other AEI site components are employed to acquire the axle and tag data of the trains that passed the site. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>As the train passes the site, the APU-102 senses train presence, direction, and speed via the wheel detectors and decodes the tag data via the RFID subsystem (refer to [[#~~TheHardware~~\| The Hardware]]). When it receives the axle and tag data, it combines the data to create a clean consist - a list of the all cars and locomotives on the train. Within seconds of the train passing the site, the APU-102 delivers the clean consist to the host system. At the host system it can be reviewed and manipulated by the user.</p>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>As the train passes the site, the APU-102 senses train presence, direction, and speed via the wheel detectors and decodes the tag data via the RFID subsystem (refer to [[#The Hardware\| The Hardware]]). When it receives the axle and tag data, it combines the data to create a clean consist - a list of the all cars and locomotives on the train. Within seconds of the train passing the site, the APU-102 delivers the clean consist to the host system. At the host system it can be reviewed and manipulated by the user.</p>
	<span style="font-size: 27.072px;">APU-102 Overview </span></div>		<span style="font-size: 27.072px;">APU-102 Overview </span></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= The Hardware =		= The Hardware =
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The hardware is detailed later in this text. The original APU-102 was designed around a 286-AT class processor. The software development quickly out grew the 286 and there are no longer any 286 APU-102s in use. Next came a 486SX based processor on a 486SLC board. To track different configurations of the APU-102, including CPU type, suffixes were added to the APU-102’s serial number. The 486 was noted with an “E”. Throughout this manual, you will see references to the APU “Series” (E Series=486). The P Series APU-102 uses a Pentium processor, board designation is LPMTX. The current processor, L Series, is an AMD chipset and the board is designated LX-800.  </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The hardware is detailed later in this text. The original APU-102 was designed around a 286-AT class processor. The software development quickly out grew the 286 and there are no longer any 286 APU-102s in use. Next came a 486SX based processor on a 486SLC board. To track different configurations of the APU-102, including CPU type, suffixes were added to the APU-102’s serial number. The 486 was noted with an “E”. Throughout this manual, you will see references to the APU “Series” (E Series=486). The P Series APU-102 uses a Pentium processor, board designation is LPMTX. The current processor, L Series, is an AMD chipset and the board is designated LX-800.  </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= The Software =		= The Software =
	</div>		</div>
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	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= APU-102 Operation =		= APU-102 Operation =
	</div>		</div>
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	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Methods and equipment used to acquire axles and tags may vary depending on site setup; however, the AEI system process of acquiring train data always involves some form of these two subsystems. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Methods and equipment used to acquire axles and tags may vary depending on site setup; however, the AEI system process of acquiring train data always involves some form of these two subsystems. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= Axle Acquisition Subsystem =		= Axle Acquisition Subsystem =
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Wheel detectors are the main component of axle acquisition. They determine initial train presence and train direction and speed by identifying wheel events (or axle count) for the passing railcar. Components of this subsystem include one or more wheel detectors, proper cabling, a wheel detector interface card, and a track directional analyzer in the APU-102. Since wheel detectors depend on train movement to detect presence, a presence circuit must be employed to keep the session open when a train has stopped at the site. The presence circuit may also be used to establish initial train presence, as a wheel detector would. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>Wheel detectors are the main component of axle acquisition. They determine initial train presence and train direction and speed by identifying wheel events (or axle count) for the passing railcar. Components of this subsystem include one or more wheel detectors, proper cabling, a wheel detector interface card, and a track directional analyzer in the APU-102. Since wheel detectors depend on train movement to detect presence, a presence circuit must be employed to keep the session open when a train has stopped at the site. The presence circuit may also be used to establish initial train presence, as a wheel detector would. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;">		<div style="font-weight: 400;">

	= RFID Subsystem =		= RFID Subsystem =
	</div>		</div>

GMalcom at 16:54, 26 September 2024

2024-09-26T16:54:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:54, 26 September 2024
Line 4:		Line 4:
	</div>		</div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) system automatically collects and transfers electronically coded information from rolling equipment to a host computer management system. Train identification involves acquiring railcar axle and tag data from trains passing the site. The APU-102 and other AEI site components are employed to acquire the axle and tag data of the trains that passed the site. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) system automatically collects and transfers electronically coded information from rolling equipment to a host computer management system. Train identification involves acquiring railcar axle and tag data from trains passing the site. The APU-102 and other AEI site components are employed to acquire the axle and tag data of the trains that passed the site. </p></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>As the train passes the site, the APU-102 senses train presence, direction, and speed via the wheel detectors and decodes the tag data via the RFID subsystem (refer to [[~~https://docdepot.railrsm.com/index.php/APU-102 Introduction~~#~~The_Hardware~~\|The Hardware]]). When it receives the axle and tag data, it combines the data to create a clean consist - a list of the all cars and locomotives on the train. Within seconds of the train passing the site, the APU-102 delivers the clean consist to the host system. At the host system it can be reviewed and manipulated by the user.</p>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>As the train passes the site, the APU-102 senses train presence, direction, and speed via the wheel detectors and decodes the tag data via the RFID subsystem (refer to [[#TheHardware\| The Hardware]]). When it receives the axle and tag data, it combines the data to create a clean consist - a list of the all cars and locomotives on the train. Within seconds of the train passing the site, the APU-102 delivers the clean consist to the host system. At the host system it can be reviewed and manipulated by the user.</p>
	<span style="font-size: 27.072px;">APU-102 Overview </span></div>		<span style="font-size: 27.072px;">APU-102 Overview </span></div>
	<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>		<div style="font-weight: 400;"><p>The APU-102 was developed during the infancy of railroad AEI and has been under constant evolution, both hardware and software. Much of the hardware and software changes are co-dependent. </p></div>