Modular and expandable irrigation controller

摘要

Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller. In some embodiments, a serial communication bus is provided between a control unit of a modular irrigation controller and an expansion module.

主权项

1. A modular irrigation controller comprising:
a housing; a control unit within the housing, the control unit including a first microcontroller for executing stored irrigation programs; a plurality of expansion module mounting locations within the housing adapted to removably receive expansion modules; a back plane circuit board comprising a bus coupling the first microcontroller to each of the plurality of expansion module mounting locations, wherein the bus comprises a serial multi-drop bus comprising a serial data line; and an expansion module coupled to one of the plurality of expansion module mounting locations, the expansion module including a second microcontroller; wherein the serial multi-drop bus supports and the first microcontroller and the second microcontroller are configured for bi-directional asynchronous communications between the first microcontroller and the second microcontrollers; wherein the serial data line comprises a serial data in line and the serial multi-drop bus further comprises a serial data out line; and wherein the second microcontroller receives a first message from the first microcontroller over the serial data in line and the first microcontroller receives a second message from the second microcontroller over the serial data out line.