Now referring to
FIG. 3, the control processor
28 includes vital processing module
42, communication module
50, vital I/O modules
48, user interface module
44, diagnostic testing and data logging module
52, and remote operations module
46. The vital processing module
42 can be a central processing unit (CPU) that may be selected from a variety of suitable CPUs known in the art. Alternatively, module
42 can be two or more redundant CPUs. The communications module
50 receives data transmitted from the sensor devices
12,
14,
16,
18, exchanges data with VPU module
42, and with warning system peripheral devices (not shown). The vital I/O module
48 provides a vital interface control of conventional railroad signal relays or control devices that can be connected to the control processor
28. The diagnostic testing and data logging module
52 can provide a variety of user interface options, including, by example, RS232, USB, Ethernet, and wireless technologies, to facilitate user access to control processor
28 to enter site specific information, select appropriate user variable values, perform set-up and diagnostic testing and to review or download data log files. Data can be saved on dedicated hard drive, flash memory module, CD ROM drive or other devices appropriate to the intended environment. The user interface module
44, by example, can be a software module that provides configuration options, firmware update, device programming and debugging. The remote operations module
46 can provide the interfaces for remote communications with the system
10, using cellular or satellite channels. The module
46 can provide, for example, remote status checking, alarm notification, limited configuration and data transfer. The communication module
50, remote operations module
46 and user interface module
44 provide communications security and adaptability to a variety of communications protocols that can be executed by the system
10.