Baseline biSensor biLine Computer Remote Communications
Baseline
How is the Baseline System different from other "moisture sensor" systems?
The Baseline System is a complete management solution. The biSensor is only a part of the total system. Other "sensor based" systems focus on the moisture percentage in the soil. In order to manage these sites, labor-intensive activities of gathering and analyzing data and adjusting schedules are necessary. Crop and plant variations have to be considered as well as weather conditions. In addition, the chance of human error is always present.
It is the same as taking all the air pressures, temperatures and fuel measurements of a gasoline engine and calculating all the combustion equations before stepping on the gas. The Baseline System uses direct feedback from the biSensors to adjust how much the system is allowed to water based upon the moisture content in the soil. Because of the design of the system, the complex calculations are either unnecessary or are handled by the computer. Human involvement is minimized.
How is the Baseline System a "Complete Management Solution"?
Keeping the moisture level constant in the soil is only one of the many capabilities of the system. The system has a complete "network" communications system that allows for easy system upgrades and repairs. The biCoders provide feedback to the site controller that helps in diagnosing and managing the site. In addition, because the system is computer based, remote communications opens up many opportunities for cost reduction and management flexibility.
biSensor
How does the biSensor work?
The biSensor works on the fundamental physics principle that light travels slower in water than in air. The biSensor measures moisture and temperature to calculate the moisture change relative to the field capacity of the soil. These measurements are then converted into moisture data and adjustments are made to watering profiles.
How much area does the sensor cover and read moisture?"
There are several sensors to choose from, from 18 inches to 5 ft long. The longer sensor monitors a larger area and averages the moisture over the entire 5' ribbon sensing element. In turf, sensors are buried 4 to 6 inches deep to monitor that portion of the root zone.
How can a small sensor determine what a large area's water needs are?
Sensing moisture in the soil is like a thermostat in a building. A small thermostat in just one location can control the temperature in a large area. Obviously, adjustments for individual rooms is necessary. Moisture sensor are just the same. If adjustments within a zone are necessary, then sprinkler heads are adjusted. If adjustments between zones are necessary, a ratio of watering times is adjusted. A sensor can control watering across multiple zones within a "hydrozone."
Do I need one sensor per zone?
No. Many zones have similar watering profiles. These are called hydrozones. All the zones that belong to a hydrozone, i.e. an area of the site that is sunny and flat, can be controlled by a single sensor buried in just one of the zones.
How long do the sensors last?
The sensors are built to exceed the life of the water delivery system. This can be dozens of years.
What do I do if a sensor fails? Will the system still water?
While it is very rare for a sensor to fail, the watering controlled by that sensor will revert back to a timed control and the system will show that a sensor has failed. Most sensor failures are caused by shovels and aerators.
What happens when someone covers up the area where the sensor is located?
The sensor measures the soil moisture around the sensor. If the area where the sensor is located is covered up or gets a "car wash", the sensor will react accordingly by either attempting to water the area or not watering depending on circumstances. No automated system should be left entirely unobserved.
What if I place the biSensor in a very wet area?
The Baseline System has the ability to adapt to biSensors being placed in wet and dry areas. However, sensitivity and the ability to fine-tune the system may be impaired. It is always best to find an area in the zone that is representative of the rest of the Hydrozone.
Are the sensors expensive?
Up until recently, the technology used in this kind of sensor was very expensive. Baseline has developed a sensor that is reasonably priced so it is affordable for even the smallest of sites. It is not necessary to put a sensor in every zone, so the cost of the sensors is a relatively small cost of the system.
biLine
How does the two-wire system work?
Two wires are run from valve box to valve in a loop around the site and then back to the controller. In each valve box, valve decoders (biCoders) are connected to the biLine (two-wire) and to each valve solenoid. Each biCoder has a unique address (serial number) used by the controller. When the controller wants to turn on a valve, it sends a message over the biLine network, finds the right biCoder, and then activates the valve solenoid with the power from the same wire.
Do I have to use special wiring for the Baseline system?
Polyethylene double-jacketed or UF-B UL PVC double-jacketed two-conductor solid core designed for direct burial systems. Equivalent wire types can be used if they are specified and approved by Baseline.
Do I need a complete loop of two-wire?
No. The Baseline system was designed to be laid out in any configuration, loops, stars, single line, etc. It is the only system available that has this kind of flexibility. A loop topology provides a more robust wiring system than other topologies. While it is best, it is not necessary. If the loop gets broken then two-wire signals can still find an alternate path and the system will likely continue to operate until a repair can be performed (as long as the bare wires are not grounded).
What if a wire is broken, doesn't it bring down the whole system?
As with any system if a wire is broken, particularly the common wire (part of the two-wire), a zone or series of zones will become inoperable. However, the Baseline System's communications network will search out an alternate path around the broken wire if possible. If an alternate path to the valve decoder can be found, the system will continue to operate normally. If the system cannot find an alternate path, it will notify the user of a fault situation and indicate which zones are affected. This helps in isolating the broken wire.
Are the biCoders expensive?
They are less expensive than most commercial rotor sprinkler heads. The savings in wiring costs over the conventional star type system will easily pay for the cost of the decoders.
How far can the two-wire go?
The size of a Baseline system is dependant on a number of factors such as wire size and which devices are used. For example, 14 gauge wire correctly installed will support a wire run of 1500 feet and can activate 5 valves simultaneously at that distance. Our larger systems such as The BaseStation 6000 can support wire lengths of up to 6 miles if properly installed. Refer to the biLine Wiring specification sheet for exact specifications.
How does the Baseline System save me labor and maintenance expenses?
There are no clocks to adjust or schedules to set. After power failures, there are no batteries to replace or check. Season adjustments are eliminated and weather conditions, both wet and dry, do not require manual adjustments. Fixing broken wires becomes simple. You can manage the system from a remote site which means you don't have to leave home to turn the system on or off or make special trips to shut off water in the middle of the night. You can manage multiple sites from any PC. You can also perform most of the system functions directly from a cell phone without having to go to the Site Controller.
Aren't two-wire systems harder to install?
Actually, two-wire systems are easier and quicker to install. However, industry standards for correct wiring installation must be followed for a two-wire system to work reliably. A trained contractor can install a two-wire system in a fraction of the time of conventional systems.
Computer
Why do you use personal computers?
Computers are used in everything, even in cars, and they are powerful and inexpensive. We use them to cut the cost of bringing advanced technology to customers who otherwise could not afford it.
Can I use my existing computer?
Yes. A dedicated PC with Windows 2000 or XP can be used to run the Baseline System. If remote dial up access is needed, then you must purchase a Baseline computer that has the right modem and has been configured for this function.
Can I put the computer anywhere?
The Baseline Controller must be installed in an environmentally clean and temperature stable environment. However, because most of the Baseline functions can be controlled via a cell phone, very little access to the computer is necessary. For retrofit installations, it is best to place the computer, close to the existing clocks if possible.
Doesn't the computer take more power and money to operate?
In idle mode, a computer takes about the same as a 60 watt light bulb or about 15 to 20 cents per day. During the winter months, the computer is shut down. In perspective, it costs about the same to run the computer all year as just one 1/2 hour service call to change times on an ordinary clock.
Do I need a phone line to the computer?
If you want remote communications then a phone line is necessary. However, the system will operate just fine without a phone line.
What do I do if space is a problem?
Baseline has a wall mounted version of the Baseline System Controller that takes up less space.
Can I use a computer to control multiple sites, or do I have to use a computer at each site?
Presently, a single computer is required for each site. However, one computer can control several thousand valves and can communicate over long distances. Several Baseline customers have very large sites covering hundreds of acres using only one computer.
Can I use the system for data logging or remote data gathering?
Yes. The system can be used for many applications. The system will keep track of all moisture and temperature readings (as well as watering times). This information can be accessed through an Excel spreadsheet for analysis if desired.
What happens when the power goes out?
The computer will reboot when the power comes on and will continue where it left off. Because there are no schedules, power up after a power loss does not interrupt watering schedules or watering days. If the power has been left off for a long period of time, the computer will simply go out and ask the sensors who needs water and then provide the correct amount of water to bring water levels back to the desired wetness.
Does the Baseline system have mapping?
Yes. This is one of the strong points of the system. And it does not require extensive graphing costs or drawings by outside firms. Just scan a copy of a blueprint, a sketch, a picture and load it into a file. Then when the picture appears on the screen, small icons can be moved onto the map to represent the valves and sensors in their correct locations.
Can I operate the system from the map?
Yes. All functions are available directly from the map. This is very helpful for large sites. There is no need to memorize zone names and numbers.
Remote Communication
How do I control the computer from a remote location?
The computer can be accessed from any computer anywhere. (With security codes, of course.) A Baseline computer is shipped with pcAnywhere installed for remote access.
Can I see the moisture graphs on a remote computer?
Yes, just like you were sitting in front of the on-site computer.
How do I control the computer with a cell phone?
The Baseline system has a very advanced piece of software that allows cell phones (or any phone) to control the system. Simply call the phone number of the site, input the security code and then use the Baseline phone control commands to perform system functions like activating a zone or increasing or decreasing moisture in a zone.
Can anyone call and control the system?
Only those who have the security code can access the system.
What handheld remotes does Baseline Support?
The BaseStation 3000 and 3000R controllers both support TRC Irrigation Remotes, for more information go to TRC Irrigation Remotes with BaseStation 3000 FAQ/Info.