Wireless Smart Sensor Network for Vehicle Diagnostics and Prognostics
Navy SBIR FY2008.2


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.2
Topic No.: N08-109
Topic Title: Wireless Smart Sensor Network for Vehicle Diagnostics and Prognostics
Proposal No.: N082-109-0617
Firm: Luna Innovations Incorporated
1 Riverside Circle
Suite 400
Roanoke, Virginia 24016
Contact: Fritz Friedersdorf
Phone: (434) 220-0148
Web Site: www.lunainnovations.com
Abstract: Maintenance activities cost DoD $81 billion a year and maintainers have only limited diagnostic capabilities for weapons systems life cycle management. Advances in sensors, embedded systems, and network information systems, make it possible to achieve unprecedented diagnostics. Luna will leverage advanced MEMS and nanotechnology to develop ultra-miniature smart sensors and network nodes for retrofit into existing weapons systems. Ultra-miniature sensing elements that detect a wide variety of parameters and network nodes will enhance diagnostic capability and coverage of vehicle systems. The wireless smart sensor network will monitor, process, and transmit health and usage information to improve accuracy, speed of diagnosis, and visibility at all organizational levels through shared data environments. During the Phase I effort, the smart sensors and network node hardware and software architecture, and communications protocols will be developed. The smart sensing system will be based on the IEEE 1451 family of standards. Luna will design an ultra-low power system with embedded power management that is compatible with a variety of energy scavenging and power storage devices. System requirements for environmental resistance and attachment to weapons systems will be established. The Phase I program will conclude with a demonstration of a breadboard prototype wireless smart sensor network system.
Benefits: The smart sensor network system has broad military, civil and commercial applicability for monitoring ground vehicles, ships, and aircraft systems and subsystems. The critical smart sensor network attributes of small size, low weight, open plug-and-play interface architecture, self diagnostics and validation make this a valuable interface and controller platform for other industrial and military process monitoring applications. The system simplicity and low cost supports wide area coverage by monitoring multiple sites on an individual structure and for fleet-wide vehicle condition monitoring. Other than military vehicles, the smart sensor network system has market potential in stationary structures, industrial processes, and civil and commercial transportation.

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