Multi-Wire Irrigation Receiver Discovery for Zone Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual entry and optical scanning of unique addresses for irrigation devices connected to multi-wire irrigation systems are time-consuming and error-prone, requiring devices to be unearthed for verification, especially since they are often buried underground.
Innovation Solution
An automated device discovery process using a modulated output power signal with discovery messages to identify unique addresses of irrigation devices connected to a multi-wire path, eliminating the need for manual recording and reducing human error, allowing for faster address detection and assignment to irrigation zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual entry or optical scanning is used to detect device addresses, then device identification can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation devices automatically transmit their unique addresses to the controller through the multi-wire path using modulated signals. The controller autonomously detects and records these addresses without requiring installer intervention for manual entry or optical scanning, thereby eliminating time loss and human error while maintaining high detection accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If devices are buried underground for installation, then landscape integration is improved, but device verification becomes difficult requiring excavation
Solution Approach 1:
The controller actively queries each device address range and receives automated feedback signals from devices through the multi-wire path. This allows verification of device addresses and operational status without physical access to the buried devices, maintaining landscape integration while enabling easy verification and troubleshooting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically accessing devices (excavation) with an electrical/electronic detection system. The controller uses modulated signals transmitted through the existing multi-wire path to electronically identify and verify device addresses, eliminating the need for physical excavation while maintaining full verification capability.
3Reliability
If manual address entry is used, then device control can be established, but human error increases and setup time extends
Solution Approach 1:
Devices automatically provide their unique addresses to the controller through modulated signals on the multi-wire path. The controller autonomously detects, validates, and stores these addresses, eliminating manual entry processes that cause human error and extend setup time, thereby simultaneously improving reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical entry processes with automated electronic detection. The controller uses electrical signals transmitted through the multi-wire path to automatically identify device addresses, eliminating handwriting or typing errors while dramatically accelerating the system setup process.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to use with irrigation devices connected to a multi-wire path in an irrigation system. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for use with irrigation devices including a modulator configured to provide an output power signal modulated with data; a multi-wire interface coupled to the modulator and configured to electrically couple to the multi-wire path extending into a landscape and to which the irrigation devices are connected; and a control circuit configured to execute an automated device discovery process configured to cause the modulator to modulate data comprising a discovery message on the output power signal, the discovery message indicating a portion of an address to match and prompting a response from one or more of the irrigation devices in which a corresponding portion of the unique address matches the portion of the address to match.