DECODER SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IRRIGATION CONTROL

摘要

An irrigation system comprises an Internet connected controller that receives user input and provides a power signal and command and message data to an encoder. The encoder encodes the command and message data onto the power signal to provide a data encoded power waveform that is sent over a two-wire path. The irrigation system further comprises one or more decoders in communication with the two-wire path to receive the data encoded power waveform and one or more irrigation valves in communication with the one or more decoders. The data encoded power waveform provides power to the decoders and the decoders decode the command and message data from the data encoded power waveform to control the irrigation valves according to the user input. Thus, a user controls an irrigation system comprising the two-wire path from a remote location using an Internet-compatible device without specific software installed.

主权项

1. An Internet-enabled irrigation controller implemented to power and selectively energize a plurality of solenoid-actuated valves connected to corresponding decoders along a two-wire communication network using data encoded power waveforms, each decoder serially addressable over the two-wire communication network and configured to energize its corresponding solenoid-actuated valves, the Internet-enabled irrigation controller comprising:
a communication module configured to receive user input over the Internet, the user input entered by a user on a web-enabled device that is accessing a server; interface circuitry configured to provide an interface signal responsive to the user input; a processor configured to generate a control signal responsive to the interface signal, the control signal having a first state and a second state; a transformer configured to receive an input power signal and provide AC power signal, wherein the AC power signal is approximately sinusoidal; and a bridge circuit communicating with the transformer to receive the AC power signal and the processor to receive the control signal and configured to output the data encoded power waveforms to control the plurality of solenoid-actuated valves, the bridge circuit comprising a plurality of solid-state relays, at least one of the plurality of solid-state relays enabled when the control signal is in the first state to pass the AC power signal approximately in-phase, and at least one of others of the plurality of solid-state relays enabled when the control signal is in the second state to shift a phase of the AC power signal by approximately 180 degrees, the bridge circuit outputting the approximately in-phase AC power signal on the two-wire communication network when the control signal is in the first state and outputting the phase-shifted AC power signal on the two-wire communication network when the control signal is in the second state.