Tagged: DPU

DragonOS: Decoding Train Telemetry with SoftEOT and RTL-SDR

Over on his YouTube channel Aaron who created and maintains the DragonOS SDR Linux distribution, has uploaded a video demonstrating how to use an RTL-SDR and SoftEOT/PyEOT to decode North American wireless train telemetry.

HOT (Head of Train), EOT (End of Train) and DPU (Distributed Power Unit) telemetry is sent from various parts of a train and contains information about things like voltages, brake line pressure and to monitor for accidental separation of the train.

In his video Aaron uses his DragonOS Linux distribution, SDR++ with an RTL-SDR Blog V4 dongle and the SoftEOT and SoftDPU decoders. SoftEOT and SoftDPU are both Windows programs, however Aaron shows how to use WINE to run them in Windows. Later he shows how to use an alterative decoder called PyEOT which is based on GNU Radio.

DragonOS FocalX Decoding Train Telemetry w/ SoftEOT/PyEOT (RTLSDR V4, WINE AppImage, GR 3.10)

Decoding HOT, EOT & DPU Train Data

On YouTube user Curt Rowlett has uploaded a video showing how he was able to decode HOT, EOT & DPU signals from trains using an RTL-SDR. Head of Train (HOT) and End of Train (EOT) signals are used on trains to transmit telemetry data such as brake line pressure and monitor accidental separation of the train. Distributed Power Unit (DPU) signals are control signals that are used to control remote DPU’s on long trains. DPU’s are locomotives which are placed in the middle or rear of a train to help more evenly distribute pushing and pulling power over the entire train.

Curt used the SoftEOT and SoftDPU software programs to monitor and decode these signals. This software can be downloaded from the softEOT Yahoo! Group after requesting and being accepted into membership.

HOT signals can be found on 452.9375 MHz, EOT signals on 457.9375 MHz and DPU signals on 457.9250 MHz.

Decoding HOT, EOT & DPU Train Data