System and method for optimized control of moving irrigation systems

A system for optimizing operation of a plurality of independent soil irrigation systems comprising in combination:

• a global positioning system receiver receiving satellite transmission position information for each of said irrigation systems to generate a map;
• a geographical information system (GIS) receiver receiving GIS satellite transmitted soil condition information for said irrigation systems on said map;
• a programmable computer having a data storage device for storing data coupled to said GPS and GIS receivers for mapping said soil condition information onto said map;
• a power grid monitor coupled to said computer for tracking electrical power demand and capacity available to said irrigation systems on said map;
• a software program means in said computer for integrating said position information, and said soil condition information, together to produce a priority schedule for operation of each of said irrigation systems in accordance with predetermined irrigation criteria and available power criteria;
• and
• transmission means coupled to said computer and to each of said irrigation systems for sending a control signal to each of said irrigation systems in accordance with said priority schedule.

A system for optimizing operation of a plurality of independent soil irrigation systems comprising in combination:

• a global positioning system receiver receiving satellite transmission position information for each of said irrigation systems to generate a map;
• a geographical information system (GIS) receiver receiving GIS satellite transmitted soil condition information for said irrigation systems on said map;
• a programmable computer having a data storage device for storing data coupled to said GPS and GIS receivers for mapping said soil condition information onto said map;
• a weather satellite receiver coupled to said computer receiving weather forecasting information for said irrigation systems;
• a power grid monitor coupled to said computer for tracking electrical power demand and capacity available to said irrigation systems on said map;
• a software program means in said computer for integrating said position information, said soil condition information, and said weather forecast information together to produce a priority schedule for operation of each of said irrigation systems in accordance with predetermined irrigation criteria and available power criteria;
• and
• transmission means coupled to said computer and to each of said irrigation systems for sending a control signal to each of said irrigation systems in accordance with said priority schedule.

A method of optimizing operation of a remotely controlled irrigation system in an agricultural area comprising the steps of:

• receiving a global positioning system (GPS) signal representative of a position of said irrigation system;
• receiving a geographic information system (GIS) satellite signal of soil conditions in said agricultural area;
• correlating said GIS signal with said GPS signal to generate soil condition information at said position of said irrigation system;
• and
• calculating a required period of irrigation system operation based on said and said soil conditions at the location of said irrigation system.