Abstract: An irrigation control system with a programmable controller having a high speed central processor and a touch screen monitor for independent and simultaneous operation of multiple watering stations and schedules. The touch screen monitor allows for quick entry of changes to irrigation schedules that can be made while the system is in use, thus preventing service interruption. The irrigation control system will accommodate multiple watering stations with precise accuracy and allows for independent start times for each station. Multiple output terminals permit connection to various watering stations as a pre-programmed, removable thumb drive containing the operating system and application software is connected through a USB port to a high speed central processor. The irrigation method describes using the controller for optimum plant growth and health.

Abstract: A "high" pass filter is employed to shape the low frequency input characteristic to a bidirectional repeater including echo cancelers. This frequency shaping eliminates excessive low frequency signal components from being supplied to the echo cancelers. Consequently, the number of taps, i.e., amplitude coefficients, required in the echo cancelers is minimized.

Abstract: A large signal detector is employed to detect large amplitude signals incoming to a bidirectional repeater. An output from the detector is supplied to echo cancelers in the repeater and is used to inhibit updating of the echo canceler impulse response characteristic during intervals that such large incoming signals are present.