Wireless Irrigation Valve Control for Long-Range Reliable Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation systems require trenching and laying wires to install solenoid valves, which is costly and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A wireless irrigation system that converts wired control signals to wireless signals using a controller transceiver and valve transceiver, employing technologies like LoRa for long-range communication and battery management to extend battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wireless communication is used to control irrigation valves, then installation complexity is reduced, but signal reliability over long distances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary devices including repeaters and gateway devices that relay wireless signals between the controller and remote valves. These intermediaries extend the communication range while maintaining signal integrity, allowing wireless control over long distances without direct line-of-sight requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs mesh network topology where multiple devices communicate in a distributed manner across different spatial dimensions. This creates redundant communication paths through the network, allowing signals to reach remote valves through multiple hops rather than requiring a single direct long-distance link.
2Length of stationary object
If high transmission power is used to extend wireless signal range, then communication distance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication task into segments by introducing intermediate repeater devices. Each repeater receives weak signals from distant valves and retransmits them at full power to the controller, and vice versa. This segmentation allows the use of low transmission power at each node while achieving long overall communication distance.
Solution Approach 2:
Gateway devices and repeaters act as intermediaries that buffer and retransmit signals. Instead of requiring high power transmission from the controller to every remote valve, the intermediary devices handle the power-intensive transmission locally, conserving battery power at remote valve locations.
3Reliability
If spread spectrum techniques are used to improve signal robustness, then resistance to interference is improved, but data rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different communication protocols and modulation schemes to different parts of the network based on local conditions. In high-interference environments, spread spectrum techniques are used, while in cleaner environments, more efficient protocols provide higher data rates. This local adaptation optimizes both reliability and productivity for each specific communication link.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy installation of irrigation control valves without trenching, maintaining reliable communication over long distances, and extending battery life through effective power management.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid valve is an electromechanical device in which a cylindrically wound coil of wire uses an electric current to generate a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a controller transceiver that is configured to convert the set of wired control signals to a set of wireless control signals
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation communicates wirelessly with irrigation control valves. A wireless controller transceiver unit obtains signals from the irrigation controller and transmits these signals wirelessly to a valve transceiver. The irrigation control valves open or close according to the signals received by the valve transceiver. The irrigation system also includes an auxiliary communication device that communicates user commands to the controller transceiver. The user commands are used to create associations between the controller transceiver and each of the valve transceivers. The communication link between the auxiliary communication device and the communication transceiver or the valve transceiver can be an RF communication link such as Bluetooth, a close field communication link such as an inductive communication link, or an optical communication link.