Distributed Control System and Method for Use in Assembly Line Growth Pods

Distributed control systems for use in assembly line growth pods include master controllers and hardware controller devices. The master controller includes a first memory and a first processor for storing a first instruction set indicative of plant growth operations and a second instruction set indicative of a plurality of distributed control functions. The hardware controller device is connected to the master controller via a plug-in network interface. The hardware controller device includes a second memory and a second processor for storing a third set of instructions indicative of a selected control function of the plurality of distributed control functions. When the plug-in is connected， the master controller identifies the address of a hardware controller device and sends a parameter set that defines a number of tasks associated with the selected control function. A distributed control system for use in an assembly line grow pod includes a master controller and a hardware controller device. The master controller includes a first processor and a first memory for storing a first set of instructions that dictates plant growing operations and a second set of instructions that dictates a plurality of distributed control functions. The hardware controller device is coupled to the master controller via a plug-in network interface. The hardware controller device includes a second processor and a second memory for storing a third set of instructions that dictate a selected control function of the plurality of distributed control functions. Upon the plug-in connection， the master controller identifies an address of the hardware controller device and sends a set of parameters defining a plurality of tasks relating to the selected control function. A distributed control system for use in an assembly line grow pod includes a master controller and a hardware controller device. The master controller includes a first processor and a first memory for storing a first set of instructions that dictates plant growing operations and a second set of instructions that dictates a plurality of distributed control functions. The hardware controller device is coupled to the master controller via a plug-in network interface. The hardware controller device includes a second processor and a second memory for storing a third set of instructions that dictate a selected control function of the plurality of distributed control functions. Upon the plug-in connection， the master controller identifies an address of the hardware controller device and sends a set of parameters defining a plurality of tasks relating to the selected control function.