Updates in ET Based Smart Irrigation Controller Performance: Results from 2013

摘要

A smart controller testing facility was established by the Irrigation Technology Program at Texas A&M University in College Station in 2008. The objectives were to (1) evaluate smart controller testing methodology and to (2) determine their performance and reliability under Texas conditions from an "end-user" point of view. Based on the last 6 years of the ET controller testing program, many ET controllers currently being marketed in Texas remain inconsistent in their performance and continue to apply excessive amounts of irrigation. Some participating manufacturers have used the evaluation results to update and improve sensors and firmware to increase controller performance. This paper provides an update on the performance of 9 commercially available controllers and tries to identify reasons for poor performance of controllers by evaluating controller generated or recieved ET values.