AMERICAN GNC CORP — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: A1

Description

NASArsquo;s strategic needs include technological breakthroughs to advance safety in intelligent avionics systems within the Glenn Research Center (GRC). To support GRCrsquo;s efforts, we are proposing the ldquo;Adaptive RuGgedized Ubiquitous Sensor Network for Aircraft Health Monitoring (ARGUS-4AHM) Systemrdquo; to provide a framework for non-intrusive wireless powering, communications, and sensing to enable: (a) efficient instrumentation integration; (b) system-state recognition by distributed health monitoring; and (c) machine sensing, perception, and low-level cognition. By achieving these goals, tools will be provided to discover unforeseen events in complex environments. This system provides: (i) distributed health monitoring and (ii) a sensor network with wireless power and data links for flight instrumentation and measurement (Iamp;M) capable of connecting devices through boundaries without penetrations based on ultrasonic transmissions by Ultrasonic Transceiver Modules (UTMs). Distinctive UTM characteristics are the design for operation on composite walls and ruggedization. Ruggedization involves analyzing and compensating for the effects of temperature and vibrations of the UTMs in the communication and energy transfer processes. ARGUS-4AHM will improve NASA flight technology by enabling ultrasonic data and power transfer through aerospace materials (composites and aluminum) without physical feed-thrus using UTMs that can be permanently or temporarily placed on surfaces, creating a channel robust to flight conditions (temperature and vibrations). This system will expand sensing and monitoring capabilities in hard to reach or inaccessible spaces while keeping the structure integrity (eliminate penetrations) and reduce complex wirings in test equipment.