Distributed control systems and methods for use in an assembly line grow pod

A distributed control system for use in an assembly line grow pod, comprising:

• a master controller comprising a first processor and a first memory for storing a first set of commands that dictates plant growing operations;
• a first hardware controller device comprising a second processor and a second memory for storing a second set of commands that controls operations of a first component that performs a first control function;
• a second hardware controller device comprising a third processor and a third memory for storing a third set of commands that controls operations of a second component that performs a second control function, wherein the first control function is different than the second control function;
• wherein the first component and the second component perform operations that are a part of the plant growing operations dictated by the first set of commands;
• and
• a plug and play network interface adapted to communicatively and removably connect the master controller with the first hardware controller device and the second hardware controller device using a common communication protocol.

A method for providing a distributed control system for use in an assembly line grow pod, comprising:

• arranging a control housing comprising a plurality of bays shaped and sized to place one or more discrete hardware controller devices, each bay equipped with a plug-in network interface;
• arranging a master controller to reside in the control housing, wherein the master controller comprises a first processor and a first memory for storing a first set of instructions that dictates plant growing operations and a second set of instructions that dictates a plurality of distributed control functions;
• connecting a first hardware controller device with the master controller by plugging the first hardware controller device in the plug-in network interface of a first bay;
• connecting a second hardware controller device with the master controller by plugging the second hardware controller device in the plug-in network interface of a second bay;
• wherein the first hardware controller device comprises a second processor and a second memory for storing a third set of instructions that dictate a first selected control function of the plurality of distributed control functions, wherein the second hardware controller device comprises a third processor and a third memory for storing a fourth set of instructions that dictate a second selected control function of the plurality of distributed control functions, and wherein the first selected control function is different than the second selected control function;
• identifying, with the master controller, an address of the first hardware controller device;
• sending, from the master controller to the first hardware controller device, a set of parameters defining a plurality of tasks relating to the first selected control function;
• and
• controlling, with the first hardware controller device, operations of one or more components operating in an assembly line grow pod to perform the plurality of tasks.