A decoder-based irrigation controller comprising a controller housing; a first microcontroller within the controller housing; a decoder interface coupled to the first microcontroller; and a handheld user device, wherein the handheld user device comprises an optical imaging device configured to read an optically readable pattern from each of the plurality of decoder units, wherein the handheld user device is configured to cause data read from the optically readable pattern of the plurality of decoder units to be transferred to the first microcontroller, and wherein the data read comprises an address of each of the plurality of decoder units.

A decoder-based irrigation controller comprising a controller housing; a first microcontroller within the controller housing; a decoder interface coupled to the first microcontroller; and a handheld user device, wherein the handheld user device comprises an optical imaging device configured to read an optically readable pattern from each of the plurality of decoder units, wherein the handheld user device is configured to cause data read from the optically readable pattern of the plurality of decoder units to be transferred to the first microcontroller, and wherein the data read comprises an address of each of the plurality of decoder units.

A method for controlling a field device coupled to an automation network, in which the field device has an associated tool device selected from a group of predetermined tool devices, includes the steps of: coupling the selected tool device to a control device having a physical port device; choosing a virtual link unit from a group of virtual link units included in the control device as a function of the selected tool device, wherein each of the virtual link units corresponds to one of the predetermined tool devices; and establishing a control link between the chosen control device and the selected tool device being associated to the field device via the physical port device using control data included in the chosen virtual link unit.

A decoder-based irrigation controller comprising a controller housing; a first microcontroller within the controller housing; a decoder interface coupled to the first microcontroller; a first connector coupled to the first microcontroller; a removable cartridge configured to removably and detachably coupled to the first connector to fit into the controller housing, wherein the removable cartridge comprises a second microcontroller; and a handheld barcode reader, wherein the handheld barcode reader comprises an optical reader configured to read an optically readable pattern from each of the plurality of decoder units, wherein the handheld barcode reader is configured to transfer data read from the optically readable pattern of the plurality of decoder units to the second microcontroller of the removable cartridge, and wherein the data read comprises an address of each of the plurality of decoder units.

In one embodiment, an industrial automation device having a visual component is provided that includes a user viewable screen displaying a visual representation of a first object, wherein the first object comprises a plurality of properties, connections, and text associated with the object, second object, wherein the second object comprises a plurality of properties, connections, and text, and wherein the output from the first object is coupled to the second object via a connection, wherein the output of the first object is converted from a first type to a second type. A method is also provided that includes receiving a signal into a first object, outputting data from the first object, wherein the data has a first type, converting the data into a second type, and receiving the data into a second object.

A method is provided for connecting an input/output interface of a tester equipped for control unit development to a model of a technical system present in the tester using an already-existing basic test model of a control unit. The input/output interface is designed for connecting a hardware implementation of the control unit or for connecting a technical system to be controlled, and the model to be connected to the input/output interface is a test model of the technical system to be controlled or a test model of the control unit. The already-existing basic test model of the control unit is accessed, and at least one communication requirement is extracted from the basic test model of the control unit.

A method includes transmitting, over a virtual private network (VPN) to a remotely-located control platform, a request for first information associated with a BOOTP protocol synchronization process. The method also includes receiving, from the control platform, a first response comprising the requested first information. The method further includes receiving, over a local network from an embedded device in a distributed control system, a request for second information associated with the BOOTP protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting, to the embedded device, a second response comprising the requested second information.

In one embodiment, an industrial automation device having a visual component is provided that includes a user viewable screen displaying a visual representation of a first object, wherein the first object comprises a plurality of properties, connections, and text associated with the object, second object, wherein the second object comprises a plurality of properties, connections, and text, and wherein the output from the first object is coupled to the second object via a connection, wherein the output of the first object is converted from a first type to a second type. A method is also provided that includes receiving a signal into a first object, outputting data from the first object, wherein the data has a first type, converting the data into a second type, and receiving the data into a second object.

In one embodiment, an industrial automation device having a visual component is provided that includes a user viewable screen displaying a visual representation of a first object, wherein the first object comprises a plurality of properties, connections, and text associated with the object, second object, wherein the second object comprises a plurality of properties, connections, and text, and wherein the output from the first object is coupled to the second object via a connection, wherein the output of the first object is converted from a first type to a second type. A method is also provided that includes receiving a signal into a first object, outputting data from the first object, wherein the data has a first type, converting the data into a second type, and receiving the data into a second object.

A decoder-based irrigation controller comprising a controller housing; a first microcontroller within the controller housing; a decoder interface coupled to the first microcontroller; a first connector coupled to the first microcontroller; a removable cartridge configured to removably and detachably coupled to the first connector to fit into the controller housing, wherein the removable cartridge comprises a second microcontroller; and a handheld barcode reader, wherein the handheld barcode reader comprises an optical reader configured to read an optically readable pattern from each of the plurality of decoder units, wherein the handheld barcode reader is configured to transfer data read from the optically readable pattern of the plurality of decoder units to the second microcontroller of the removable cartridge, and wherein the data read comprises an address of each of the plurality of decoder units.