SBIR-STTR Award

NASA’s strategic needs include technological breakthroughs to advance safety in intelligent avionics systems within the Glenn Research Center (GRC). To support GRC’s efforts, we are proposing the “Adaptive RuGgedized Ubiquitous Sensor Network for Aircraft Health Monitoring (ARGUS-4AHM) System” 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 (I&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. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) The ARGUS-4AHM’s innovative technology directly supports Glenn Research Center (GRC) missions by providing tools to advance safety in intelligent avionic systems. In the larger scope, the ARGUS-4AHM directly impacts the “Next Generation Air Transportation Systems (NextGen)” research. Flight research facilities will be also benefited such as the Research Aircraft Integration Facility. The technology is flexible to be applied to other systems, such as space structures where nodes can be deployed for gathering, processing, and disseminating data. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) The ARGUS-4AHM system enables deploying: (i) safer in-flight sensing without making modifications to host structures and (ii) distributed health monitoring. Examples include: (a) communication bridge in a wireless data link from the inside of a turbine engine’s wall to the outside; (b) a network switch to expand the aircraft network to isolated spaces; and (c) condition-based maintenance (CBM).

The Adaptive RuGgedized Ubiquitous Sensor Network for Aircraft Health Monitoring System (ARGUS-4AHM) provides flexible non-intrusive wireless connectivity in NASA aerospace vehicles with integrated monitoring capability, environmental effects resilience, and high maturity. Specifically, this technology: (1) aims to improve traditional instrumentation where issues are weight, wire routing to penetrate aircraft structures, long down-times, wiring labor, etc.; (2) expands the reach of avionic networks by connecting devices through boundaries without penetrations using non-intrusive, safe, and secure wireless Ultrasonic Transceiver Modules (UTMs); (3) is reliable and robust, where the energy and data transfer processes are resilient to large temperature swings and vibrations as common for aircraft operation; (4) is designed for aerospace materials (composites, aluminum), standard avionic communication buses (e.g. ARINC 429), transparent and plug-&-play deployment, and common sensor interfaces; and (5) provides flexibility with two configurations: Bus Passthrough and Node-On-ComBus. The first allows to extend multiple avionics data and power channels through a wall acoustically without wires or RF in a way that is invisible to the network nodes. The Node-On-ComBus shares these features but also enables deployment of sensors and health monitoring features in previously inaccessible spaces. Phase II tasks involve: (1) full development and implementation of Passthrough configuration for composites; (2) extending Passthrough configuration to support multiple ARINC 429 buses concurrently; (3) full development and implementation of Node-On-ComBus; (4) adding measurement and instrumentation capabilities; (5) expanding the Node-On-ComBus with health monitoring capability and customizing to NASA systems; (6) packaging and environmental design; (7) advanced and complementary features for an integral networking and monitoring solution; and (8) demonstrating the complete system. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) NASA AFRC’s testbed aircraft used to conduct flight research and technology integration, validate space exploration concepts, and conduct airborne remote sensing and science observations can benefit from the ARGUS-4AHM system which advances Instrumentation and Measurement as well as Health Monitoring capabilities. Examples are Science Platforms (e.g. SOFIA, DC-8 Airborne Science Laboratory), Research and Testbed Platforms (e.g. Eagle F-15, Gulfstream G-III, X-57), Support Aircraft (e.g. Hornet F/A-18), Unmanned Aerial Platforms and many others. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Due to its compatibility with ARINC 429, the system can be used in various commercial or other aircraft to expand the reach of networks which opens sensing possibilities without compromising the integrity of the aircraft structures (e.g. sensors can be deployed outside airframe and data and power sent using safe and secure ultrasonic channels). Many other non-aerospace industries can also benefit.