Landing Gear Structural Health Prognostic/Diagnostic System

For this SBIR, Progeny Systems is proposing a network/node-based, flexible and scalable landing gear structural health prognostic/diagnostic system that employs RF wireless technology to minimize aircraft wire routing. The proposed design includes a secure wireless network of Landing Gear Structural Health Monitor (LG-SHM) modules, one installed within each landing gear compartment. Each LG-SHM module operates independently, recording data from local strain gauges and performing fatigue damage processing. Via a wired or secure wireless communication link with the master LG-SHM module, the user can access prognostic/diagnostic information for all landing gear, and can also access aircraft weight and CG calculations. The master LG-SHM wirelessly and securely communicates with the other LG-SHM modules, requesting and merging fatigue assessments and direct load data upon user request. The master LG-SHM is also linked via a wired connection to the aircraft data bus network, thus allowing for future access from cockpit computer systems. For the proposed system, the Progeny team intends to leverage its expertise in RF wireless technology and experience in developing low-cost, network/node-based, compact, and ruggedized data acquisition systems.