Patent attributes
A system for providing reliable communications between components of an irrigation system is provided. The system includes a central control, a number of communication systems each representing a transmission channel, an irrigation controller having a receiver that is configured to receive signals from the communication systems, and one or more valves controlled by the irrigation controller to provide irrigation. According to one aspect of the system, in order to direct the irrigation controller to take certain actions, the central control first generates a message. The message is then delivered to the communication systems. In one instance, the message is transmitted by the communication systems in a rotating manner, i.e., the communication systems take turn in transmitting the message in a predetermined cycle. To ensure proper reception of the message, the irrigation controller conforms to the rotational transmission schedule of the communication systems and monitors the incoming signals accordingly. The received message is then used by the irrigation controller to act on the valves, alter an irrigation schedule or otherwise control irrigation.
