Wireless control in a cable feeder and puller system

A control arrangement for use in a cable installing system, the cable installing system including a first apparatus located at a first endpoint, and a second apparatus located at a second endpoint, the first and second apparatus together configured to install a cable through a conduit between the first endpoint and the second endpoint, the control arrangement comprising:

• a first control module located proximate to the first endpoint and operatively coupled to the first apparatus, the first apparatus having an electric motor coupled to a source of power;
• a second control module located proximate to the second endpoint and operatively coupled to the second apparatus, the second apparatus having an electric motor coupled to a source of power;
• a repeater control module operatively disposed between the first control module and second control module, and configured to operate as a repeater;
• wherein the repeater control module, the first control module, and the second control module are configurable according to a repeater operational mode or an endpoint operational mode, and are other wise hardware-identical;
• each control module having a wireless communication interface to facilitate wireless communication between the control modules;
• the first control module and second control module having a corresponding switch input configured to receive an input signal from a corresponding operator-activated switch, the input signal indicating either a ready state or a stop state;
• the first control module and second control module having a corresponding apparatus output configured to provide a machine-activation signal or a machine-deactivation signal to the corresponding first apparatus or second apparatus;
• wherein the machine-activation signal and the machine-deactivation signal are separate and independent form the source of power that drives the motors of the first and second apparatus;
• wherein when the first control module receives the input signal from the corresponding operator-activated switch indicating the ready state, the first control module wirelessly transmits a ready signal to the repeater control module, and the repeater control module wirelessly relays the ready signal to the second control module;
• and
• wherein upon receipt of the ready signal by the second control module, and if the second control module receives the input signal from the corresponding operator-activated switch, the second control module wirelessly transmits a start signal to the repeater control module, and the repeater control module wirelessly relays the start signal to the first control module, and thereafter, both control modules transmit the machine-activation signal to the respectively coupled first apparatus and second apparatus.