Wireless Sensor Network for Aircraft Flight Test Instrumentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft flight test systems face high installation and removal costs due to complex measurement requirements, limited adaptability, and the need for extensive wiring, which increases design, installation, and removal complexities, especially when dealing with harsh environments and pressurized spaces.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensor network system with a central unit, communicating nodes, and sensing units, where at least one sensing unit communicates wirelessly with the node, reducing the need for extensive wiring and enabling quick and cost-effective installation and removal of test instrumentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired sensor systems are used for flight testing, then measurement reliability is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. Sensors communicate measurement data to the aircraft via wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical wire routing through pressure seals and structural penetrations. This substitution maintains measurement reliability while dramatically reducing installation complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the communication function from the mechanical wiring system. By separating the data transmission function from the physical connection, the system removes wires, connectors, and penetration seals from the installation, leaving only the sensing elements and wireless communication modules.
2Reliability
If extensive wiring is installed for sensor connections, then data transmission reliability is improved, but removal cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication system replaces the mechanical wiring infrastructure, allowing sensors to be removed without time-consuming wire disconnection, connector removal, and penetration sealing procedures. Data transmission reliability is maintained through wireless protocols and error correction mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If wired sensor installations are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but adaptability to different test configurations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless sensor system enables dynamic reconfiguration of measurement setups. Sensors can be easily added, removed, or repositioned between flight tests without permanent structural modifications, allowing the aircraft to adapt to different test configurations while maintaining measurement accuracy through calibrated wireless transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication infrastructure provides universal connectivity for various sensor types and test configurations. The same wireless network can support different sensor placements, measurement parameters, and test scenarios without requiring dedicated wiring for each configuration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are installed in remote locations outside pressurized space, then measurement capability is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless communication eliminates the need for expensive wire routing through pressure seals and structural penetrations to reach remote sensor locations. Sensors can be installed on wings, tail surfaces, or other external locations without costly modifications to the pressure vessel, significantly reducing installation costs while expanding measurement capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (12) for measuring parameters at a plurality of loci associated with an aircraft includes: (a) a central unit (14); (b) a plurality of communicating nodes (16n) coupled with the central unit; and (c) a respective plurality of sensing units (18m, 20m, 22m, 24m) associated with each respective communicating node of the plurality of communicating nodes; at least one selected sensing unit of at least one respective plurality of sensing units being a remote sensing unit. The at least one remote sensing unit communicates wirelessly with the respective communicating node.