Braking System with Redundant Trailer Communication

A braking control system for a tractor-trailer, the braking control system comprising:

• a primary electronic control unit in a tractor, wherein the primary electronic control unit comprises an electronic braking system (EBS) controller configured to communicate with a trailer brake controller in a trailer via a controller area network data link;
• and
• a redundant electronic control unit in the tractor, wherein the redundant electronic control unit comprises an anti-lock brake system (ABS) controller configured to communicate with the trailer brake controller via a power line communication interface;
• wherein the redundant electronic control unit is further configured to take over from the primary electronic control unit as a braking controller for the trailer in response to a problem.

A method comprising:

• performing the following in a second brake control unit in a towing vehicle:
• receiving heartbeat signals from a first brake control unit in the towing vehicle, wherein the first brake control unit in the towing vehicle is a master brake controller to a brake control unit in a towed vehicle;
• detecting a missing heartbeat signal from the first brake control unit;
• and
• in response to detecting the missing heartbeat signal, taking over as the master brake controller.