Wireless Irrigation Controller Network for Complex Landscape Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation control systems face complexity in managing irrigation for large areas with varied plant life, soil types, and slopes, requiring sophisticated programming and infrastructure that is often costly and difficult to implement.
Innovation Solution
A centralized irrigation control system that integrates satellite controllers, field transmitters, and radio adapters to remotely manage and coordinate irrigation schedules across a wide geographic area, using wireless communication networks to distribute water efficiently and independently control local irrigation modules without the need for extensive power infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional program-based irrigation controllers are used to manage irrigation for large areas with varied plant life, soil types, and slopes, then irrigation control functionality is provided, but system complexity and programming difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the irrigation control into multiple independent wireless nodes including satellite controllers, field transmitters, and radio adapters. Each node operates autonomously and communicates wirelessly with others, eliminating the need for a single complex centralized controller and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability across diverse irrigation zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication network enables a single standardized controller to manage multiple irrigation zones with different plant life, soil types, and slopes through programmable parameters. The system provides universal control capability across diverse conditions without requiring specialized hardware for each zone type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sophisticated programming is implemented to manage complex irrigation areas, then irrigation management capability improves, but installation cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs wireless communication between nodes, eliminating the need for extensive physical wiring infrastructure. The wireless protocol handles configuration and coordination automatically, reducing installation labor and material costs while maintaining sophisticated irrigation management capability across complex landscapes.
3Area of stationary object
If extensive power infrastructure is deployed to support irrigation control across wide geographic areas, then control coverage improves, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces physical wiring infrastructure with wireless communication networks. Radio frequency transmission between satellite controllers, field transmitters, and radio adapters enables control across wide geographic areas without requiring extensive power and communication cabling, significantly reducing installation complexity while expanding coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide irrigation systems comprising: a central irrigation controller; a radio module; a control module; and a radio adaptor in communication with the control module; where the control module comprises: a processor, a first communication interface, and one or more valve drivers, where the control module is configured to implement irrigation commands in implementing at least a portion of irrigation programming such that the one or more valve drivers are each configured to control a different irrigation valve in accordance with the irrigation programming; and the radio adapter comprises: a second communication interface communicationally coupled with the first communication interface, and a wireless radio frequency transceiver configured to provide wireless communication with the radio module where the radio adapter is configured to relay information between the radio module and the control module.