Smart, Universal, and Intelligent Vibration Sensor System

To address the Navy need for ultrareliable ice/crack detection sensor technology, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to complete the development of a new Smart, Universal, and Intelligent Vibration Sensor (SUNIVIS) system. It is based on integration of an ultrareliable self-diagnostic noncontact vibration sensor (NVS) and highly reliable wireless communication link for real-time detection, analysis, and prediction. The innovations in torsional vibration sensing, low-power electronics, and integration with an ISM 2.4 GHz wireless link will enable the self-diagnostic vibration sensors to be installed in unreachable/hazardous areas. In Phase I, we designed and evaluated the key components, including the NVS, a piezofilm-based transducer, a control unit with A/D conversion, and a ZigBee wireless transmitter. We demonstrated the trapping of torsional vibration by the NVS with amplitude decreasing exponentially in time, and wireless data transmission. Algorithms for trapped vibration analysis were developed, and a power-efficient wireless sensor controller was designed. In Phase II, we will optimize SUNIVIS system architecture and develop the NVS with a composite structure, piezoelectric sensing grid, processing and control, and wireless communication hardware. The Phase II SUNIVIS sensor array will be integrated into the Universal Avionics Recorder (UAR) for integration and testing on a T-45 aircraft.