Distributed Controllers for Smart Irrigation Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art mechanized irrigation systems are limited in their ability to communicate complex information between disparate controllers, requiring users to interpret discrete signals and lacking advanced functionalities for maintenance, firmware updates, and troubleshooting.
Innovation Solution
A smart irrigation system with a main machine controller and distributed controllers connected via a communications network, allowing for advanced functions like individual tower motor control, span joint control, GPS guidance, and valve control, with access to local or remote cloud storage for maintenance, firmware updates, and troubleshooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If basic electrical and electromechanical communication devices are used in prior art irrigation systems, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but communication capability and information exchange between controllers are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a basic electromechanical control device and as a smart communication node. The controller can perform traditional irrigation control functions while simultaneously executing advanced communication protocols, data processing, and cloud connectivity, thereby improving information exchange without requiring separate dedicated communication hardware for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication module acts as an intermediary between the basic electromechanical controllers and the cloud storage system. This module bridges the gap between simple field controllers and complex remote systems, enabling information exchange and firmware updates without requiring direct complex connections between all components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If discrete communication signals are used in prior art systems, then ease of operation is improved for basic control, but the ability to communicate complex information and enable advanced functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically performs advanced functions such as firmware updates, diagnostic data collection, and cloud synchronization without requiring direct user intervention. The system self-manages complex communication tasks, maintaining ease of operation for users while enabling advanced functionalities through automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements bidirectional communication with feedback mechanisms that allow the controller to receive commands from the cloud and send operational status, diagnostic data, and performance information back to remote systems. This feedback loop enables complex information exchange while maintaining simple local operation through automated response handling.
3Ease of repair
If no cloud storage connectivity is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to perform maintenance, firmware updates, and troubleshooting is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The controller includes pre-configured communication interfaces and protocols that are prepared in advance for cloud connectivity. Firmware update mechanisms and diagnostic tools are pre-installed and ready to automatically connect to cloud storage systems when needed, enabling maintenance capabilities without requiring complex temporary configurations or additional hardware during maintenance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart irrigation system including a mechanized irrigation machine having a main machine controller, a plurality of distributed controllers, and a communications network. The distributed controllers may be located at a plurality of spaced apart locations on the mechanized irrigation machine. The communications network may communicably couple the plurality of distributed controllers, the main machine controller, and local or remote cloud storage. Furthermore, the main machine controller and the plurality of distributed controllers may retrieve or store information from the local or remote cloud storage for maintenance, firmware updates, or troubleshooting of the mechanized irrigation machine. The distributed controllers may perform the following functions: individual tower motor control, span joint control, corner arm control, GPS guidance or positioning of one or more actuatable features of the smart irrigation system, and/or valve control of individual sprinklers for variable rate irrigation.