I have a pi running OpenSprinkler (a open source sprinkler controller running on Raspbian). I am interested in trying to add PiAware to run on the same Pi. It is set up outside in a sprinkler box so I think I could get a good signal. Do you think they could run on the same Pi? How would I install the PiAware software to run alongside the sprinkler controller software?
There are instructions for installing from packages onto an existing Raspbian here: flightaware.com/adsb/piaware/install
(I assume this is garden sprinklers, not fire sprinklers; don’t put piaware anywhere near anything safety-critical!)
So many things to consider in your case.
Are you in a high traffic area? Will you participate with MLAT? Do you intend to feed any other service e.g. Flightradar24? Is your PI a Model B2 or an earlier model.
Most have found that once MLAT was introduced, a PI A, B or B+ had all it could do to keep up. I upgraded to a B2 and now have plenty of headroom to allow other tasks.
I have a raspberry pi B2. I can’t imagine the sprinkler software (it is for a garden sprinkler) takes many CPU cycles. It should only be checking the weather occasionally and listening for commands to open valves from the mobile app.