PivotsMACS™ is a graphical based operational software that provides a user-friendly, cost effective approach to in field pivot irrigation control. Using pivot feedback, immediate adjustments can be made to factors such as pivot direction, water application, chemical injectors, pivot speed and agitators. Weather can be monitored to modify or even stop the pivot operation based on the existing conditions. Wind speed, rain fall, temperature, water flow and ground moisture are weather conditions that are typically monitored.
When equipped with a Voice Dialer, alarms can be monitored, conditions in the field can be checked or pivots controlled by use of a handheld radio or a mobile radio mounted in a vehicle. PivotMACS™ “Schedule Forward” function allows the planning of a pivot’s repetitive operations in advance for days or months. Multiple schedules may be created for each pivot and stored in the System Control Computer (SCC).
The DFA PivotMACS™ software is designed to interact with the DFA WaterMACS™ software that is typically utilized for water and wastewater monitor and control systems.
Features of PivotsMACS™ software:
- Start or stop pivot at pre-set times or locations.
- Set pivot speed by inches applied or percent.
- Change pivot speed based on location.
- Control pivot direction of travel, pumps, injectors, and end gun operation.
- Enable / disable pivot AUTO stop.
- Remote pump control, VFD control, pump sequencing and alternation.
- Monitors current location and computes date and time that pivot arrives at the next program location or ETA.
- Pivot shutdown and pivot alarm functions.
- Optional monitoring of analog functions such as environmental parameters – i.e., soil temperature, ground moisture, wind speed, rainfall, etc.
- Optional monitoring of counter and digital inputs such as rain gauge, etc.
- Data acquisition such as chemigation and irrigation records, etc.
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Additional Features of PivotsMACS™ Software . . .
- LabVIEW® is a full programming language with endless customization capability exceeding any of the precompiled scripting software. On the SCC desktop the monitor and control software known as PivotMACS™, the radio driver known as LVMAC™, and the automatic telephone dialer known as LVDialer™ are all developed by DFA in National Instruments LabVIEW®, a leading industry standard process control language, for seamless integration of the Pivot Control System software functions.
- Unlimited I/O within the PivotsMACS™ and no license fees for additional I/O to the Pivot Monitor and Control System.
- PivotsMACS™ is built with a tag database or a viewable file that specifies how a specific input/output is to be scaled, calibrated, formatted, etc. PivotsMACS™ has dynamic tag editing. Tag scaling and I/O specifications can be changed by the user at any time through the Tag Editor.
- Password protection with 8 defined security areas that can be enabled and configured as needed. The user can define up to 99 user groups for segregated access to the Pivot Control System. This allows for distribution of security features to multiple employees dealing with multiple facets of the Pivot System.
- Built-in device drivers for hundreds of devices enabling PivotsMACS™ to communicate with most off the shelve PLCs.
- PivotsMACS™ can communicate in multiple protocols including Modbus, Ethernet IP, and Profibus.
- PivotsMACS™ comes standard with the DFA Report Module. However PivotsMACS™ may interface with any reporting database such as Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, ODBC, SQL, CSV, text, and etc.
- PivotsMACS™ can communicate with any other HMI package as a server or client. Communication methods include DDE and OPC.
- The charting feature of PivotsMACS™ is fully scalable to the values charted on the x-axis, y-axis, or both. Up to 8 data points can be viewed simultaneously on the chart with the ability to save the charted data groups to quickly retrieve chart configurations.
- Server-client operation is available for multiple users at multiple locations. Web server is available for browser access which is especially useful for interface with cell phones and PDAs that have internet access.
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Other Farm Management Functions . . .
Many other farm management functions are possible with PivotMACS™ and the DFA Remote Terminal Unit (RTU).
- Remote pump control – PivotMACS™ can control remote pumps at ponds, well, or on the river bank. Functional variations are possible such as variable speed pump drives, pump sequencing, lead-lag setups, and pump alternation. These functions allow accurate control of line pressure and extension of pump life. For high volume applications, up to 16 pumps can be controlled by a single RTU.
- Tanks and pond monitoring and control – PivotMACS™ can enable pumping from a river or well into a tank or pond during off demand hours, storing for peak time usage.
- Storage building monitoring and control – PivotMACS™ can monitor and control temperature and humidity or provide security features.
- Greenhouse monitoring and control – PivotMACS™ can monitor and control temperature, moisture, lighting and other conditions that can optimize germination, growth, and production in the greenhouse environment. Alarming capabilities are provided.
- GPS and farm mapping is possible if needed.
- Vehicle tracking can be a part of an overall system. This allows the farm manager to find the vehicle nearest to a trouble spot and improve efficiency.
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