Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A16-090

Description

To address the need for a flexible integrated intelligent network (FIIN) for prognostics health management (PHM) for Army aviation applications, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Intelligent Flexible Open Architecture Network (IFOAN). It is based on an open architecture network and Joint Common Architecture (JCA)-compliant software. Specifically, the innovation in design of a hierarchical fiber optic network and design of PHM software incorporating grid-based data mining, advanced statistical classification, and a high-performance net-centric rule engine will enable the IFOAN to provide PHM capabilities to aircraft maintainers and crew members over a FIIN. As a result, IFOAN offers such advantages as a flexible, integrated, robust, reliable, resilient, low size/weight/power, broad bandwidth, reconfigurable and self-healable device, compatible with both legacy and future aircraft. It provides accurate and automated damage inspection and near-real-time trend analyses and prediction of remaining useful life of aircraft. In Phase I, POC will conduct a feasibility and trade-off assessment of FIIN options and design the IFOAN architecture, addressing Army requirements and technical challenges. In Phase II, POC will develop a working prototype and assess its performance in a Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL) environment. The Phase II IFOAN will reach technology readiness level (TRL)-5.