Compact Atmospheric Data Recorder

To address the Air Force need for a more compact, reliable, and manufacturable air quality monitoring system to monitor the on-board oxygen generating system (OBOGS) and cabin ambient air of fighter aircraft, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (Intellisense) developed the new Compact Atmospheric Data Recorder (CADRE) system based on tight integration of a cadre of gas sensors and atmospheric capture, concentration, and recording equipment in a compact, self-contained, and fully autonomous unit. Specifically, the innovative use of compact multi-sensor electronics and incorporation of thermal desorption tubes, active gas flow management, and active power management enable the device to perform real-time monitoring and recording in digital form and to recover physical samples for later laboratory analysis. The CADRE system also uses an easy-to-use, hot-swappable, plug-and-play stacking design that enables changes in configuration or gas specificity as required using a single, small, lightweight controller that connects wirelessly to a smartphone or tablet. As a result, CADRE offers a solution that directly meets Air Force requirements for a multi-factor gas monitoring system ideal for taking measurements during or prior to flight operations. In Phase I, Intellisense demonstrated the feasibility of CADRE by building a compact device and testing it under laboratory and vehicular conditions to mimic cockpit use (TRL-5). In Phase II, Intellisense will mature the device based on Air Force feedback so that additional lab and cockpit tests can be performed to further validate that the system successfully collects chemical contaminants found in both pilot breathing air systems and the ambient environment during jet engine run-ups. Intellisense will utilize a product-focused development approach with three validation test events and close collaboration with the Air Force end users, such as flight chiefs and other maintenance personnel, to ensure that the resulting system meets Air Force accuracy and usability requirements (TRL-7). The system will also be refined to ensure compatibility with the various breathing air systems across the fighter aircraft inventory. Finally, a technical data package will be prepared with a clear path toward productization, manufacturing, and fielding.