A controlled irrigation system can include a control device for determining whether to irrigate soil and at least one irrigation structure having an actuator for controlling water flow. A data communications method including a) transmitting selectively a multistate signal from each of one or more clients; b) communicating electrically each multistate signal to a first location on a host using a single conductor coupled to each the client; and c) communicating electrically each multistate signal to a second location on the host using the single conductor. The RSE retrieves an assembly definition associated with a particular ordering or combination of rules.