Self Organizing Sensor Arrays

Using Nuclear Event Detectors (NEDs) and Dosimeters, Nu-Trek, SAIC, and Kinney Consulting will demonstrate, feasibility and benefit, of sensors that self-organize during assembly. Sensors are part of the spacecraft avionics and can be reconfigured as needed. Our Space-ZigBee architecture, combines the approach of the ZigBee wireless standard with the SPA-U plug and play interface, for a "wired" approach especially well suited for sensors and control devices. In the context of a nuclear threat, Nuclear Event Detectors (NEDs) are used to initiate circumvention. In NED implementation internal shielding greatly impacts the dose rate reaching the NED and it is VERY difficult to determine computationally where to place the NED. In the demonstration, the dosimeters will activate the NED that is closest to the location in which the dose is highest. We will also perform a Trade-Of-Study and prepare a roadmap for the development of the dosimeters and NED/dose rate sensing arrays.