Abstract: An irrigation system with steady state speeds of movement achieves and maintains substantial straight alignment of multiple interconnected spans with continuous movement over a range of speeds in a forward and reverse movement direction. A variable-speed drive controller monitors and processes the output of the corresponding alignment detector and, based on the output of the alignment detector, selects from memory and continuously furnishes to the corresponding span motor a predetermined progressively increasing speed profile, a predetermined progressively decreasing speed profile, or a new fixed current speed.

Abstract: A universal remote monitoring system and method for irrigation systems having a self-contained remote terminal unit mounted at an outer portion of the irrigation system which is independent of the irrigation system control. The unit includes a global positioning system for producing coordinate data, a computer for processing the coordinate data into operational data, and a transmitter for delivering the operational data to a communications satellite. The satellite relays the operational data through a communications network into a remote service computer which generates information messages to mobile operator devices informing the operator of movement status and other operational information.

Abstract: A pager system for monitoring the operation of a plurality of controllers in each one of a plurality of agricultural field equipment in a group. A plurality of sensors are provided at each location of agricultural field equipment wherein a sensor connects through an isolation device to one of the controllers for issuing a status signal corresponding to the present status of the connected controller. Whenever the status of a controller changes, the remote terminal unit immediately transmits the changed status symbol as well as the status of the other sensors to a central control computer. The central control computer analyzes the transmitted status signals for generating a changed status paging message and delivers the changed status paging message, identifying the agricultural field equipment having the changed status, as well as the unchanged status messages from all remaining agricultural field equipment in the group.