Wireless Fire Identification

To address the Air Force need for a wireless fire detection system, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Wireless Fire Identification (WiFireID) system. This proposed device is based on a three-band optical sensor, an omnidirectional lens, and a ZigBee wireless network. The innovation in coupling an omnidirectional lens with a three-band optical sensor will enable WiFireID to detect fires over a large field of view at a very high speed (7 microseconds from ignition) and minimize false detections. The sensor package will weigh 3 ounces in a form factor of <25 cubic inches. Each package will be easily installable/ reconfigurable during maintenance once a year because it uses a universal frame clamp, which can be attached in 2 minutes per sensor. WiFireID will communicate from each sensor to the cockpit warning system and automatic fire suppression extinguishing subsystem via ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4). In Phase I POC will demonstrate the feasibility of WiFireID by creating a prototype and detecting fires, and rejecting nonfire sources as well. In Phase II POC plans to develop a field testable prototype that can be used in aircraft under operating conditions for demonstration of its ability to detect fires in aircraft.