Two-Wire Power And Communications For Irrigation Systems
First Claim
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1. An irrigation system comprising:
- an irrigation controller for executing irrigation schedules;
an irrigation interface in communication with said irrigation controller;
said irrigation interface connected to a wire pair and configured to provide a potential across said wire pair;
said irrigation interface further configured to manipulate said potential to transmit communication data; and
,a decoder connected to said wire pair to receive power and communication signals from said irrigation interface;
said decoder being connectable to control operation of an irrigation valve; and
said decoder having a communication circuit for drawing a predetermined current on said wire pair independently of a voltage on said wire pair.
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Abstract
A two-wire power and communication system is provided, having a decoder that draws a constant amount of current for communication signals despite changes in the voltage on the power and communication wires. In one example, decoders have a constant current sink circuit that includes a shunt regulator that controls a field effect transistor.
45 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An irrigation system comprising:
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an irrigation controller for executing irrigation schedules; an irrigation interface in communication with said irrigation controller;
said irrigation interface connected to a wire pair and configured to provide a potential across said wire pair;
said irrigation interface further configured to manipulate said potential to transmit communication data; and
,a decoder connected to said wire pair to receive power and communication signals from said irrigation interface;
said decoder being connectable to control operation of an irrigation valve; and
said decoder having a communication circuit for drawing a predetermined current on said wire pair independently of a voltage on said wire pair. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An irrigation system comprising:
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first and second electrical communication paths; an irrigation controller arranged to determine and execute an irrigation schedule; an irrigation gateway in communication with said irrigation controller and connected to said first and second electrical communication paths;
said irrigation gateway creating a potential on said first and second electrical communication paths for supplying power and communication data;a decoder connected to said first and second electrical communication paths and connectable to an electrically activate sprinkler valve;
said decoder further comprising a feedback circuit for selectively drawing a predetermined current on said first and second electrical communication paths. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An irrigation system comprising:
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first and second electrical communication paths; an irrigation controller arranged to determine and execute an irrigation schedule; an irrigation gateway in communication with said irrigation controller and connected to said first and second electrical communication paths;
said irrigation gateway creating a potential on said first and second electrical communication paths for supplying power and communication data;a decoder connected to said first and second electrical communication paths and connectable to an electrically activated sprinkler valve;
said decoder further comprising a decoder circuit; and
first and second surge circuits that provide an electrical path for high voltage current around said decoder circuit.
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Specification