Magnetron control system and associated methodology

A system for controlling a plurality of magnetrons of a thermal processing tunnel in accordance with a preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme, the system comprising:

• at least one input device;
• at least one processor in communication with the input device;
• at least one memory;
• and
• computer-executable instructions stored on the at least one memory and being executable by the at least one processor for:
• receiving, via the at least one input device, an identifier indicating a predefined packaged food product configuration;
• based on the identifier, obtaining a preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme that is preconfigured based on at least one characteristic of the predefined packaged food product configuration, wherein the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme is preconfigured to cause at least one of the plurality of magnetrons to have a different execution characteristic than at least one other magnetron of the plurality of magnetrons;
• and
• transmitting at least one instruction in accordance with the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme to a signal controller that drives the plurality of magnetrons, thereby causing the plurality of magnetrons to execute in accordance with the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme.

A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by a processor, are configured for:

• receiving, via at least one input device, an identifier indicating a predefined packaged food product configuration;
• based on the identifier, obtaining a preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme that is preconfigured based on at least one characteristic of the predefined packaged food product configuration, wherein the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme is preconfigured to cause at least one of the plurality of magnetrons to have a different execution characteristic than at least one other magnetron of the plurality of magnetrons;
• and
• transmitting at least one instruction in accordance with the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme to a signal controller that drives the plurality of magnetrons, thereby causing the plurality of magnetrons to execute in accordance with the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme.