Power line carrier communications for center pivot irrigation control

A distributed control network was developed to control automated irrigation systems for implementing precision agriculture management concepts. This paper describes experiences with implementing three power line carrier communications (PLCC) technologies since 1995 for linear and center pivot automatic agricultural sprinkler systems. Experiences with two additional technologies are also discussed but have not been implemented in the field. The power line characteristics are investigated to show why the power distribution method is favorable to power line carrier communications regardless of loading and switching of loads for speed and direction control. The PLCC connected nodes mounted on the moving center pivot lateral also function as bridges to a wireless network that allows communications with sensors distributed around the field. A protocol that can be used with power line carrier adds flexibility and provides connectivity to nodes not accessible over the power line.