This project will develop a monitoring system for the inside of Tomahawk missile canisters that can operate for an indefinite period exceeding five years with power provided by an external hand held reader using radio frequency (RF) energy. The hand held, battery operated reader will power the transponder inside the missile canister using RF energy to penetrate through its skin, charging a miniature storage capacitor that will operate a micro-power data acquisition system. The sensors will be passive devices only requiring power during readout. Our entire system of transponder and sensors will be easily installed in new or existing canisters without tools because it will be packaged in miniature modules with adhesive backings. All the sailor need do is remove the protective layer on the back of each package and press fit the module to the inside skin of the canister. Phase I will demonstrate the concept in the laboratory with breadboard sensors, the RF link, and a simple breadboard reader. Phase II will engineer an entire system which, in addition to working for Tomahawk missile canisters, will be easily adaptable to a wide variety of commercial applications.
Benefits: System will have wide application in grocery retailing, military logistics, and agriculture, where perishable items must be checked for spoilage without breaking open a package.
Keywords: RF Tag, RF Transponder, Environmental Monitor, Shipping Container, Missile Canistera
