Expanding the Processing Capability of On-Line Propulsion Health Management (PHM)

Propulsion Health Management (PHM) is viewed by the Air Force as a critical technology for improving aircraft system affordability via reduced maintenance costs, and improved platform survivability and availability . Ideally, PHM eliminates “surprises” in operations and maintenance. DSPCon proposes to develop a powerful, modular, expandable, open-standards addition of processing capability that will increase the speed of PHM decisions by an order of magnitude over current Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)-based hardware and software. It is anticipated that PHM decisions representing accurate fault isolation with a low probability of false alarm are needed every 20 msec. Through the use of optimized signal processing algorithms and commercially available high speed hardware, the DSPCon platform will provide a greatly improved computational capability over current PHM solutions. The DSPCon platform will accommodate anticipated PHM requirements including sensor data rates of 200kHz or more, and data bus rates of 100 megabits per second or more. DSPCon will consult with major jet turbine engine manufacturers throughout the program to ensure a comprehensive understanding of PHM requirements for gas-turbine engines.