Toolset for Impedance Modeling of etextile Structures

To address the ArmyÆs need for electronic textile impedance modeling software and soldier-worn networks, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (Intellisense) proposes, in Phase II, to advance development of a new Toolset for Impedance Modeling of etextile Structures (TIMES) proven feasible in Phase I. A new design that utilizes new software algorithms and commercial off-the-shelf components enables TIMES to generate an accurate representation of transmission line impedance based on fundamental math models of generic woven structures serving as ground truth, adjusted for vendor-specific material properties. As a result, TIMES will improve performance in areas such as development, demonstration, validation, and evaluation of a variety of functional textile-based data networks to provide soldiers with enhanced capabilities that increase their ability to quickly understand and react to emerging battlefield situations. TIMES can be rapidly modeled and simulated to verify its appropriateness for high-speed, low-loss data transmission protocols (e.g., USB, gigabit Ethernet, serial, SMBus, I2C) without requiring iterative physical experimentation, directly addressing the Army requirements. In Phase I, Intellisense developed a Phase I proof-of-concept TIMES 3D model with a GUI. This model includes the connector to the etextile, and it can predict an etextileÆs 3D impedance map along with characteristic information. We also designed and developed a proof-of-concept bench-scale data network (the hardware etextile) as the demonstration article. An existing etextile structure was modeled, and the simulation results generated by TIMES were verified against results from the tests of the hardware demonstration article (with a 0.7% error). Thus, the feasibility of TIMES was successfully demonstrated. A tangible proof-of-concept network demonstration article, conceptual impedance model, and design tools, as well as a survey of shielding options, were delivered to the Army. In Phase II, Intellisense will advance the development of TIMES and demonstrate and validate the TIMES model, design tools, software, and data transmission etextile hardware network to support the efficient development and eventual mass production of high-speed data networks for etextile wearable applications. This will include refining the model and design tools, iteratively developing and evaluating methods for improving the impedance characteristics of etextile networks, and ultimately validating them, and demonstrating the capability of etextiles to handle various communication protocols without signal degradation or loss of data. Intellisense will work with Soldier Center and Integrated Visual Augmentation System experts to identify a suitable system to demonstrate the capabilities of these component networks in a relevant setting. The finalized and validated impedance model, design tools, and related software will be delivered along with etextile networks for three prototype systems.