Advanced Detector Prognostics/Health Monitoring (DPHM) System

Nuclear Physics (NP) experiments require the installation and maintenance of a large number of very sensitive detectors that are arranged along the beam line. Thousands of these detectors must function well in order to capture low-level signals and assure the success of the experiments. The detector electronics are subject to the performance-damaging effects of aging, heat, and radiation. In order to accurately assess the state-of-health of the detectors¿ electronics and their ability to handle the experiments, this project will develop a software-based tool to extract critical diagnostic and prognostic information from deployed detector assemblies. The information will provide a real-time view of each detector module, which then can be processed to provide accurate assessments of the state-of-health and remaining useful life. System operators can use these assessments to help guide maintenance strategies for the beam detector electronics. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: A software-based and extensible centralized tool that can acquire and process state information on very large numbers of deployed electronic sensors would be useful not only for NP experiments but also for remote sensing applications for military and homeland security needs.