Implicit message sequence numbering for locomotive remote control system wireless communications

A system for providing wireless communications between a locomotive control unit (LCU) on board a locomotive and a portable operator control unit (OCU) for use in controlling operation of the locomotive from an off-board location comprising:

• an OCU comprising:
• an OCU processor;
• OCU programmed logic operable with the OCU processor for calculating a bit error check value for a wireless message that includes an explicit sequence number assigned to the message and for generating an encoded message with the transmit bit error check value and without the explicit sequence number;
• an OCU transceiver in communication with the OCU processor for transmission of the encoded message;
• an LCU comprising:
• an LCU transceiver for receiving the encoded message;
• an LCU processor in communication with the transceiver;
• and
• LCU programmed logic operable with the LCU processor for validating the encoded message according to the transmit bit error check value and an expected sequence number for the encoded message.