Methods and apparatuses for connecting multiple loads with a common return pin in engine control module application are disclosed. Only one of the multiple loads can be connected to a power source at a time. At the high side, each load is coupled to the power source through a respective pin at a connector. At the low side, the multiple loads share a common return pin at the connector that connects the loads to the ground. When a first load is connected to the power source at the high side, a first low side driver circuit is used to connect the first load to the ground at the low side. When a second load is connected to the power source at the high side, the second low side driver circuit is used to connect the second load to the ground at the low side.

A solenoid drive device includes a first solenoid drive circuit, a second solenoid drive circuit, a selection circuit, and circuitry. The circuitry controls the first switching element and the second switching element with a duty control in a control cycle according to acquired values of the first drive current and the second drive current so that a first on/off switching direction of the first switching element at a start timing of the control cycle is opposite to a second on/off switching direction of the second switching element at the start timing. The circuitry determines whether a failure in at least one of the selector, the first solenoid drive circuit, and the second solenoid drive circuit occurs based on a change in the selection detection signal in a period during which an on/off state of the first switching element is different form an on/off state of the second switching element.

In a control unit of an electromagnetic valve system, a safety circuit includes a first switch and a second switch for switching, by control from a control circuit supply and shutdown of power from a drive power supply to an electromagnetic valve drive circuit. A common line extends to a plurality of electromagnetic valve units and is connected to one end of a plurality of solenoids. A plurality of power lines are connected to the other end of each of the plurality of solenoids. The electromagnetic valve drive circuit includes a plurality of open/close switches for switching, by control from the control circuit, supply and shutdown of power to the plurality of solenoids.

Provided is a current control device capable of continuing feedback control for a solenoid in normal feedback control while preventing occurrence of an unintended valve operation due to flow of a reverse current.

Methods and apparatuses for connecting multiple loads with a common return pin in engine control module application are disclosed. Only one of the multiple loads can be connected to a power source at a time. At the high side, each load is coupled to the power source through a respective pin at a connector. At the low side, the multiple loads share a common return pin at the connector that connects the loads to the ground. When a first load is connected to the power source at the high side, a first low side driver circuit is used to connect the first load to the ground at the low side. When a second load is connected to the power source at the high side, the second low side driver circuit is used to connect the second load to the ground at the low side.

Methods and apparatuses for connecting multiple loads with a common return pin in engine control module application are disclosed. Only one of the multiple loads can be connected to a power source at a time. At the high side, each load is coupled to the power source through a respective pin at a connector. At the low side, the multiple loads share a common return pin at the connector that connects the loads to the ground. When a first load is connected to the power source at the high side, a first low side driver circuit is used to connect the first load to the ground at the low side. When a second load is connected to the power source at the high side, the second low side driver circuit is used to connect the second load to the ground at the low side.

The present invention relates to a method for providing watering or non-watering of a specific area of soil through a first plurality of irrigation valves (42). Specific irrigation parameters are measured at the specific area of soil through a second plurality of field sensors (54). A controller unit (30) is interconnected to a third plurality of control units (18). Each control unit is connected to a specific irrigation valve and/or a specific field sensor. A type declaration providing communication under a second communication protocol is transmitted from the controller unit to the third plurality of control units using a first communications protocol. A second set of instructions are transmitted from the controller unit to the third plurality of control units using a second communications protocol. A first set of instructions are transmitted from the controller unit to the third plurality of control units using the first communications protocol.

Methods and apparatuses for connecting multiple loads with a common return pin in engine control module application are disclosed. Only one of the multiple loads can be connected to a power source at a time. At the high side, each load is coupled to the power source through a respective pin at a connector. At the low side, the multiple loads share a common return pin at the connector that connects the loads to the ground. When a first load is connected to the power source at the high side, a first low side driver circuit is used to connect the first load to the ground at the low side. When a second load is connected to the power source at the high side, the second low side driver circuit is used to connect the second load to the ground at the low side.

In a control unit of an electromagnetic valve system, a safety circuit includes a first switch and a second switch for switching, by control from a control circuit supply and shutdown of power from a drive power supply to an electromagnetic valve drive circuit. A common line extends to a plurality of electromagnetic valve units and is connected to one end of a plurality of solenoids. A plurality of power lines are connected to the other end of each of the plurality of solenoids. The electromagnetic valve drive circuit includes a plurality of open/close switches for switching, by control from the control circuit, supply and shutdown of power to the plurality of solenoids.

A plurality of inductive loads (105) are connectable in parallel with one another between first and second terminals (120, 125), to which a controllable voltage (205) is applied. A method (300, 400) for operating the loads (105) includes the steps of detecting (305, 405) the connection of a previously non-energized load (105) between the terminals (120, 125); setting (310, 410, 435) the voltage (205) to a predetermined first value (210), and, after the lapse of a predetermined time interval (315, 415), adjusting the voltage (205) to a predetermined second value (215), with the second value (215) being lower than the first value (210).