Wireless Pressure Sensors With Built-In Calibration Capability Navy SBIR FY2005.3 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.3 Topic No.: N05-159 Topic Title: Wireless Pressure Sensors With Built-In Calibration Capability Proposal No.: N053-159-0588 Firm: AEPTEC Microsystems, Inc. 700 King Farm Boulevard Suite 600 Rockville, Maryland 20850 Contact: Jing Lin Phone: (301) 670-6779 Web Site: http://www.aeptec.com Abstract: Embedded sensors are finding widespread use in military systems, demanding that accuracy be assured for the entire life cycles of these systems. The U.S. Navy ensures the accuracy of shipboard sensors via scheduled calibrations and/or maintenance procedures (a manually intensive process). Developing new sensors with automated calibration capability is of primary importance. Leveraging research and simulation work currently being conducted by the University of California (UC) and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), 3eTI will demonstrate the feasibility of a wireless MEMS pressure sensor with built-in calibration (BIC). The proposed work will be based upon the conceptual design consisting of the following three primary components: 1) an integrated MEMS sensor/actuator system, 2) a wireless communication network; and 3) a power-harvesting device tailored for a typical shipboard environment. The integrated sensor/actuator system has two operation modes, i.e., the sensing mode and the calibration mode. The overall objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of the wireless MEMS pressure sensor with built-in calibration. Phase I will focus on demonstrating the most important functionality of this design, i.e., automated calibration over a wireless network. The 3eTI Team will conduct this demonstration by hybridizing bench scale testing with computer simulations and provide a prototype design by developing the key component technological milestones. Benefits: Phase I will result in a comprehensive concept solution for a wireless MEMS pressure sensor with built-in calibration (BIC). This will provide the foundation for the successful development and shipboard testing of a prototype system in Phase II. The Phase II effort will design, prototype, and demonstrate a proof-of-principle BIC MEMS sensor that integrates IEEE 1451.5 wireless smart sensor networks. This solution will provide the following benefits: � Unattended/automated calibration � Continuos automated sensor health verification. � Reduced ships manning cost due to deletion of the requirement for manned walk-arounds to check and maintain sensors and their calibrations � Local calibration histories on demand � Reduced cabling costs with self powering/energy harvesting 3eTI's commercialization strategy of teaming with large companies by enhancing their products with our systems has been proven to be a successful strategy. Commercial applications include a wide range of industrial applications through our partners such as Honeywell, National Instruments, Omnex, and Pheonix Contact, 3ETI has also forged alliances with several smaller companies to rapidly commercialize our product offerings. Return