Broadband Wireless Sensor System for Aerospace Ground Testing

Extensive instrumentation is required to verify designs and validate proper operation of all advanced aircraft structures and components prior to incorporation into flight use. For a gas turbine engine test cycle, up to 9 months are required to installand calibrate over 1000 sensors on the engine, costing several million dollars. In response, wireless technology is proposed to decrease instrumentation set-up time and operating costs by replacing conventional wired connections, eliminating the expensiveinterconnection cabling and routing. Unfortunately, no wireless systems are currently available that can withstand the harsh environmental conditions present in aerospace testing facilities. Luna Innovations proposes the development of a wireless sensorsystem for aerospace area ground test applications. All situations where a reliable, low cost wireless sensor link can be established in lieu of wires/cables will directly result in major savings to the Air Force during installation, testing andturnaround. The miniature battery powered telemetry unit will be designed to meet the necessary system performance metrics and withstand the necessary environmental constraints. The system will be capable of interfacing with common sensors (such asstrain, pressure and temperature) as well as differential analog signals, broadcasting this information to a central using a broadband wireless link.