Real-Time Equipment Control

The Argus Control System includes a comprehensive suite of specialized equipment control programs designed specifically to control the equipment systems used in protected environments. These programs are set up and fully configured to match your operation before we ship your system. Each of these programs are loaded with a depth of features not available in most competing systems. In addition, additional programs can be selected  as needed. We ship a complete selection of the latest programs with each new system, so even if you don't need a particular control program now, you'll have access to it in the future at no additional charge should you need it .

• Boiler controls and protection
• Multi-Boiler rotation management
• Pipe temperature-controlled mixing valves
• Boiler heat storage for CO₂ extraction systems
• Modulating roof vents and wall vents
• Fan and Multi-Fan ventilation
• Shade, blackout, and thermal curtains
• CO₂ enrichment
• High-intensity-discharge (HID) lighting
• Evaporative cooling and humidification
  • Mist and fog
  • Pads
• Irrigation system capacity and feed management
• Irrigation valve management for drip, spray, overhead, ebb& flood, and boom systems.
• Irrigation decision making
• Nutrient control and nutrient injection systems
  

Custom Control Applications

In addition to special programs for equipment control, the Argus system contains an array of generic control programs to handle a wide range of custom control challenges. All of these control functions are field programmable. Program modules include:

• Enhanced Equation-Based Decision programs
• Math Programs
• Multi-day averaging programs
• Generic modifier programs
• Multi-Output programs
• Sensor multiplexing

Manual Overrides 

Each piece of Argus controlled equipment can be manually overridden by the operator from the IBM-compatible PC terminal, which may be on-site or connected to the site over the telephone network using a modem.

Climate Control

Climate control settings include diurnal (daily schedules) or multi-day schedules. Specific temperature and humidity targets can be defined for up to 4 periods of the day with smooth ramping between periods. Astronomical (solar dawn and dusk) or regular times may be used to define each period. Almost any environmental profile can be created with these settings. Individual equipment settings can be synchronized with the climate control settings.

Some examples are:

• Supplementary lighting

• Photo period lighting and blackout

• Shading and thermal curtains

• Pipe temperature settings

Control objectives such as heat boosts, plant activation, differential set-points (DIF), fumigation and post-fumigation regimes can be set up to work automatically using these settings.

Climate Control includes a wide range of settings that may be used to define or modify control response based on weather conditions or other criteria. Users that do not require this level of complexity simply don't use these features.

Argus uses advanced Control Strategies that anticipate changes, and respond to changing conditions before the climate deviates from the target. The result is smooth, accurate control with better energy efficiency and reduced equipment operation. Primitive control strategies such as staging or proportional control may still be used by Argus in specific applications, but generally do not perform as well as the more advanced control strategies. The advanced strategies are easier to use since the operator no longer has to worry about adjusting set points and stages to compensate for equipment cycling and can instead focus on actual control objectives.