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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />SYSTEM DESIGN <br /> <br />As mentioned in the Project Summary, the completed design included a central <br />computer system communicating via point-to-point radio with six field satellites. <br />A typical system layout schematic for a Rainbird Maxicom system is included to <br />show the inter-relationship of the devices ( Exhibit A). The central computer <br />hardware was purchased separately from a State of Colorado pricing agreement <br />with a computer vendor after ensuring that all of the system requirements would <br />be met. The central computer was installed in the Electronics Shop near the <br />Building Automation system for the first partial year of operation since we were <br />getting the system up and running during the busiest time of year for the <br />Grounds Maintenance shop. The electronics specialists were also more familiar <br />with computer systems and controls and were able to learn the system, with <br />training from the vendor, well enough to provide training to the Grounds <br />Department during a more appropriate time of year. Some training has already <br />been given, but the bulk of the training will take place during the winter and early <br />spring months in order to get ready for the next irrigation season. The central <br />computer will be relocated to the Grounds Maintenance shop as soon as all <br />irrigation is over for this season. <br /> <br />The field satellites were specified in configurations of either 12 or 24 station <br />capacity for the initial six satellites (See Exhibit B). As part of the design <br />process we combined some irrigation vaults and rebuilt others to eliminate <br />individual water connections to the campus water grid. This saved on the cost of <br />flow meters and flow output transmitters and also on the cost of backflow <br />protection and master valves. We tried to leave room for some future expansion <br />at each satellite location to avoid long wiring runs in the Mure. The satellites <br />were housed in a sturdy stainless steel enclosure mounted on a concrete <br />pedestal to ensure a long life and a reliable system. We were very careful to <br />also include a good grounding system at each satellite and surge suppression <br />for each power supply. We ran into a minor problem in design with respect to <br />sensor (flow meter) inputs at two of the satellites. The standard satellites for the <br />Maxicom system were set up to handle only two inputs. There were several <br />locations that is was desirable to handle an additional input without having to go <br />to a new satellite, Rainbird was in the process of developing an expansion to <br />allow additional sensor inputs as the design was completed, so we configured <br />two of the satellites with more than two inputs. This is an issue that Rainbird is <br />still working on so we had only two flow meters working at each of these <br />satellites during this irrigation season. We anticipate being able to resolve this <br />issue during the non-irrigation time and we will apply the solution as we design <br />further expansions to the system. <br /> <br />The weather station (Exhibit C) is located in a central portion of the campus and <br />was sited based on a list of criteria that Rainbird had established from past <br />experience. The weather station seems to be working very well in the location <br /> <br />4 <br />