Abstract: A method includes receiving a token over a token line at a first control module and, in response to receiving the token, receiving a first address. The first control module is configured to control one or more first actuators. The method also includes using the first address for communications over a communication line and identifying a second address. The method further includes providing the token over the token line to a second control module, where the second control module is configured to control one or more second actuators. In addition, the method includes providing the second address to the second control module in response to the second control module receiving the token.

Abstract: A real-time path-directed controller is disclosed. The controller is extraordinarily well-suited for navigating a vehicle along a desired path across a field for agricultural applications. The controller comprises several important assemblies. It comprises a position sensor which produces an object position signal to an object position signal conditioning module (which, in turn, produces a conditioned object position signal to a controller summer). The controller also comprises a heading conditioning module for receiving the object position signal and conditioning the object position signal to produce a conditioned heading signal to the controller summer. The controller also comprises a control apparatus sensor for producing a control apparatus signal to a control apparatus signal conditioning module (which, in turn, produces a conditioned control apparatus signal to the controller summer).

Abstract: A method includes identifying a number of actuators used to release a material, where the identified number of actuators is less than a total number of actuators. The method also includes identifying a simulated speed of a vehicle based on the identified number of actuators. The method further includes controlling an amount of material provided to the actuators based on the simulated speed of the vehicle. The method could also include identifying an extent to which the identified number of actuators are opened. Here, identifying the simulated speed of the vehicle could include identifying the simulated speed of the vehicle based on the extent to which the identified number of actuators are opened.

Abstract: A system includes one or more actuators (such as valve assemblies) that are configured to release a material. The system also includes a wireless receiver configured to receive wireless positioning signals. The system further includes a processing device configured to determine a position associated with the one or more actuators based on the wireless positioning signals and to determine whether to open or close the one or more actuators based on the determined position. In addition, the system includes a controller configured to control the opening and closing of the one or more actuators based on signals from the processing device. The processing device may be configured to determine whether to open or close the one or more actuators by determining whether the material has already been released at the determined position.

Abstract: An apparatus (such as a valve assembly or other actuator) includes a pressure plate having a first hole and a second hole. The apparatus also includes a plunger configured to selectively cover the second hole of the pressure plate. The apparatus further includes a coil configured to move the plunger away from the pressure plate to uncover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to allow a material to flow through the apparatus. The coil is also configured to move the plunger towards the pressure plate to cover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to block the material from flowing through the apparatus. Pressure may equalize on a first side and a second side of the pressure plate after the plunger covers the second hole of the pressure plate.

Abstract: A real-time path-directed controller for navigating an object along a desired path is disclosed. The controller comprises: a position sensor which contributes to the production of a conditioned object position signal to a controller summer; a heading conditioning module which contributes to the production of a conditioned heading signal to the controller summer; a control apparatus sensor which contributes to the production of a conditioned control apparatus signal to the controller summer; and a control apparatus null position conditioning module which contributes to the production of a conditioned null position signal to the controller summer. The controller summer sums the signals to produce a controller summer signal to a controller summer conditioning module so as to produce a control apparatus control signal to a control apparatus controller so as to direct the control apparatus and thereby direct the object by feedback control along the desired path.

Abstract: An apparatus (such as a valve assembly or other actuator) includes a pressure plate having a first hole and a second hole. The apparatus also includes a plunger configured to selectively cover the second hole of the pressure plate. The apparatus further includes a coil configured to move the plunger away from the pressure plate to uncover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to allow a material to flow through the apparatus. The coil is also configured to move the plunger towards the pressure plate to cover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to block the material from flowing through the apparatus. Pressure may equalize on a first side and a second side of the pressure plate after the plunger covers the second hole of the pressure plate.

Abstract: A system includes one or more actuators (such as valve assemblies) that are configured to release a material. The system also includes a wireless receiver configured to receive wireless positioning signals. The system further includes a processing device configured to determine a position associated with the one or more actuators based on the wireless positioning signals and to determine whether to open or close the one or more actuators based on the determined position. In addition, the system includes a controller configured to control the opening and closing of the one or more actuators based on signals from the processing device. The processing device may be configured to determine whether to open or close the one or more actuators by determining whether the material has already been released at the determined position.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a number of actuators used to release a material, where the identified number of actuators is less than a total number of actuators. The method also includes identifying a simulated speed of a vehicle based on the identified number of actuators. The method further includes controlling an amount of material provided to the actuators based on the simulated speed of the vehicle. The method could also include identifying an extent to which the identified number of actuators are opened. Here, identifying the simulated speed of the vehicle could include identifying the simulated speed of the vehicle based on the extent to which the identified number of actuators are opened.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a token over a token line at a first control module and, in response to receiving the token, receiving a first address. The first control module is configured to control one or more first actuators. The method also includes using the first address for communications over a communication line and identifying a second address. The method further includes providing the token over the token line to a second control module, where the second control module is configured to control one or more second actuators. In addition, the method includes providing the second address to the second control module in response to the second control module receiving the token.

Abstract: A real-time path-directed controller for navigating an object along a desired path is disclosed. The controller comprises: a position sensor which contributes to the production of a conditioned object position signal to a controller summer; a heading conditioning module which contributes to the production of a conditioned heading signal to the controller summer; a control apparatus sensor which contributes to the production of a conditioned control apparatus signal to the controller summer; and a control apparatus null position conditioning module which contributes to the production of a conditioned null position signal to the controller summer. The controller summer sums the signals to produce a controller summer signal to a controller summer conditioning module so as to produce a control apparatus control signal to a control apparatus controller so as to direct the control apparatus and thereby direct the object by feedback control along the desired path.

Abstract: A system for steering an antenna includes a first component that includes a first lens and is operable to perform a first focusing of a plurality of signals to form a plurality of focused signals. The system also includes a second component that includes a second lens and is operable to form a first focused beam by performing a second focusing of the plurality of focused signals. The second component further includes a first splitter and is further operable to split the first focused beam into a first set of intermediate beams. The system further includes a third component that includes a second splitter and is operable to split a particular one of the first set of intermediate beams into a second set of intermediate beams. The third component further includes a first combiner and is further operable to combine a particular one of the second set of intermediate beams with at least one other intermediate beam split from a second focused beam to generate a composite beam.