Spaceflight Experience in Applying Smart Wireless Sensors

Spaceflight Experience in Applying
Smart Wireless Sensors:
Implications for PWS Applications
Invocon, Inc.
19221 IH 45 Conroe TX 77385
www.invocon.com
INVOCON, INC.
PWST – 5 May 2015
Invocon, Inc.
INVOCON, INC.
 Founded in 1985
 Located in Conroe, Texas
 Veteran-owned Small
Business
 Currently employs 20
Electrical Engineers,
Technicians, Computer
Science, and
Administrative personnel.
Invocon's core activities revolve
around research and
development of precision
instrumentation and
communication solutions for
demanding applications in
extreme environments.
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Applications


Application Areas:
 Aircraft / Spacecraft Test and Eval.
 Mechanical Condition-Based Maint.
 Missile-Defense
 Civil Structural Monitoring
Invocon Flight Systems:
 Structural Analysis ISS
 40+ Shuttle flights, including 17
unique systems
 7 systems aboard the ISS
 27 Flights – Instrumentation on
Navy/MDA Target Missiles
NASA Photo
STS-69 (September 1995)
Photo courtesy of NASA
© Invocon, Inc. 2015
NASA Photo
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NASA Applications
INVOCON, INC.
NASA Photo
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Invocon Wireless Instrumentation Shuttle/ISS Flights
Flight
Launch
Invocon Systems
Sensor Type
Flight
Launch
Invocon Systems
Sensor Type
STS-69
9/7/1995
WSDS
Pressure
STS-111
6/5/2002
STS-80
11/19/1996
GPSCON
WSDS
ADDS
GPS
Pressure
Acceleration
MicroTAU
MicroSGU
Vibration
Strain
STS-112
10/7/2002
MicroSGU
Strain
STS-113
11/23/2002
MicroSGU
Strain
STS-107
1/16/2003
MicroSGU
Strain
STS-114 –
note:
WLEIDS on
all subs
7/26/2005
WLEIDS
MicroTAU
MicroSGU
IWIS
Vibration
Vibration
Strain - OMS
Accel/Strain
STS-121
7/4/2006
WLEIDS
WSGIS
IWIF
Accel
Strain on SRMS
Load/Accel
STS-83
5/4/1997
WDAS
Temperature
STS-94
7/1/1997
WDAS
Temperature
STS-96
5/27/1999
MicroWIS
Temperature
STS-101
3/19/2000
MicroWIS
Temperature
STS-106
9/8/2000
MicroWIS
Temperature
STS-92
10/11/2000
SWIS
MicroWIS
Temperature
Temperature
STS-115,
116, 117
9/6, 12/9/2006
6/8/2007
EWIS
WLEIDS
Shuttle Roll-Out
Micro-G Acce Accel
STS-97
11/30/2000
IWIS
SWIS
FPP
MicroWIS
Accel/Strain
Temperature
Plasma Potential
Temperature
STS-118,120,
122, 123,
124, 126
8/8 &
10/23/07, 7/7,
3/11, 5/31, &
11/14/2008
WLEIDS
MicroSGU
Accel
Strain
STS-98
2/7/2001
IWIS
Accel/Strain
4/19/2001
MicroWIS
Temperature
3/15, 7/8, 5/11
& 9/11/2009
EWBMicroTAU
Crew Seat DTO
Triax Accel
STS-100
STS-119,
125, 127, 128
STS-128
3/11/2008
MMA
Micro-G on JEM
STS-104
7/12/2001
MicroWIS
IWIS
Temp-Airlock
Accel/Strain
STS-129
11/27/2009
WLEIDS(MEI)
Accel - OMS
STS-108
Note:
12/5/2001
SGU on all
subs flts thru
STS125
MicroTAU
MicroWIS
MicroSGU
Vibration
Temperature
Strain – Aft Comp
STS-130
2/8/2010
WLEIDS(MEI)
Accel&AE -OMS
STS-131,
132, 133,
134, 135
4/5,5/14/2010
2/25, 5/16,
7/8/2011
WLEIDS
Accel
STS-109
3/1/2002
MicroSGU
Strain
ATV-2
2/16/2011
DIDS
AE Sensor
STS-110
4/8/2002
MicroSGU
Strain
© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Note: Invocon systems have flown aboard other vehicles since 2011.
Invocon is not always privy to the details of these flights.
Additional systems are being prepared for flight.
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Technology Development Tree (INVOCON, INC. Proprietary and Company Confidential)
On-orbit Data Recording
Extreme Environments
1995-96
Shuttle Experiment to monitor
Spread-Spectrum WLAN
Relaying RF Network
Space-hab Module Temps
Ultra-low power
Low rate RF sensors
WDAS/WIS Wireless Data
Acquisition/Instrumentation System(WIS)
1997
1998
WSDS Wake Shield
and GPSCON
SCAT SBIR Ph1&2
MicroWIS SBIR Ph1 only
High-speed WLAN Radio
Modular Architecture
Medium rate
real-time sensors
1999
Monitor ISS Segments
Temps during Assembly
2000
2001
FPP
SWIS
IWIS
High rate
data recorder
w/ RF interface
Micro-SGU
TMS
2003
Solar Power
ISS Truss Structural-Dynamics
External WIS
Continuous Use: Additional
Purchases, Change to ISS
Power
Crew Seat
E-WBMicroTAU
© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Additional EWIS & IWIS
Strain
&Temp
IWIF
Ultra- WIS
SBIR
Phs 1&2
Leak Loc.
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Shuttle – Impact Detect
SRMS Strain Crew PFR Loads
Ultrasonic Leak Loc
Garvey Rocket Demo
Shuttle Roll-out
Inflatables
Inflatable Module Tests
MMOD Impact Sensor Large Memory, DC Accels Strain, Leak Temp
Extreme
DLDS
Low power
DTOs
DIDS SBIR
STTR
Shuttle
AE Leak
Location
Phs 1/2
MEI Sys
RAID SBIR Ph1/2
REMS
Micro-WIS
XG
Low Power
Trigger Monitor
Local data processing
Long life
WSGIS
STORM
Shuttle Carrier A/C
2011-15
ELMWIS
Tri-axial Accelerometers
Very high rate, Large Flash memory
WLEIDS
MMS-AMS
10yr lifetime
Relaying network
MITEWIS
Wideband MicroTAU
Micro-Gravity Triax ISS
Power
Continuous data Acq
2004
Micro-TAU
Micro-SAFE
MMA
2007-10
Temperature.
Pressure
M-WIS Controller
Strain Gages
Parachute
shock record
2006
Micro-WIS Temp
ISS On-Orbit
StructuralDynamics
EVA Deployed
Realtime Data
2002
2005
External RTD
Programmable rate
WATS
DOD SBIR
High Accuracy Data Acq.
Wireless Synchronization
Personal Radiation Detection
DIDS ISS DTO
HVI
STORM
WICS
Garvey Rocket
MMOD Impact
Inflatable Tests
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Initial Work –
INVOCON, INC.
Sensor Control and Acquisition Telecommunications (SCAT)
 1995 Small Business Innovation
Research Program for NASA JSC
 Spread Spectrum technologies
introduced to overcome multi-path
environment
 Low and high-rate data acquired in
near real-time
 Asynchronous relaying network
implemented due to insufficient lineof-sight
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Shuttle Wireless Instrumentation System
• Launch to Activation thermal
monitoring of ISS modules – Z1 & P6
• 200mW 2Mbit/sec 900MHz Radio
• Excellent coverage throughout module
extraction and installation on ISS
despite no LOS – relays seldom
occurred
INVOCON, INC.
RSU P6-1
(under shroud)
RSU P6-5
& Antenna
RSU P6-2
RSU P6-3
(under shroud)
P6 Truss
(Launch Configuration)
RSU P6-4 & Antenna
NASA Photo
© Invocon, Inc. 2015
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Micro-gravity Systems
INVOCON, INC.
• IWIS / EWIS
Internal / External Wireless
Instrumentation System
For Space Station Structural
Impulse Response Analysis
Launched on ISS assembly flight 4A and
STS-115 through STS-118
NASA Photos
• MMA
Micro-gravity
Measurement Apparatus
For “Kibo” Japanese Experiment Module
Pressurized Module Micro-gravity Monitoring
•
•
Micro-g resolution (18bits)
900MHz DSSS WLAN Module
Courtesy of JAXA
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
MicroWIS Temperature Transmitters
INVOCON, INC.
 The first MicroWIS flight system
Low-power narrowband radio module
 External RTD and internal temp channels
 Asynchronous data transmission with random
back off retransmissions
 20 year life with C-cell battery
 Multiple flights, including Joint Airlock on ISS
flight 7A
 Decision to use came L-2 months
 Good RF coverage in Payload Bay, partial
blockage due to Orbiter Docking System
(ODS)
 TDMA network
 Newly designed MicroWIS XG
 Reduced size
 Water resistant

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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Photo courtesy of NASA
Micro-Strain Gauge Unit (MicroSGU) and
Micro-Triaxial Accelerometer Unit (MicroTAU)
INVOCON, INC.
 Radio Characteristics
¼mW
916MHz
transceiver
Omni-directional
Patch Antenna
 Data Acquisition
Multiple
channels
1Mbyte data memory
RF setup and download
 Synchronization via RF
Master
Micro-Strain Gauge Unit
Space Shuttle Main Engine Struts
– Multiple Slave
 Trigger Modes
Real-time
clock
Primary data channel
Auxiliary trigger sensor
(e.g. pressure)
Multiple event capability
Micro-Triaxial Accelerometer Unit
Installed on Multi-Purpose Logistics Module 11
© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Wideband MicroTAU
INVOCON, INC.
 High-cycle fatigue suspected cause
of cracks in Shuttle Main Engine
(SSME) flow-liners
 System monitors vibration
environment during entire launch
sequence
 Designed, manufactured, qualified for
flight, and installed in 4 months
 System Enhancements




20K samples/second
128Mbyte Flash memory
External cryogenic piezoelectric
accelerometers
USB interface for faster downloads
post-mission
Photos courtesy of NASA
© Invocon, Inc. 2015
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Wing Leading Edge Impact Detection
System
INVOCON, INC.
Monitors impacts on Shuttle
wing leading edge during
ascent and Micro-Meteor
and Orbital Debris (MMOD)
impacts in orbit
3) Laptop-based Receiver
Assembly collects (via radio
frequency) data from Relay Unit
and dumps data to PC for
downlink to Mission Control
2) Relay Units collect (via RF) postprocessed data from Sensor Units and
transfer to crew compartment via wired
RS-485 multidrop networked bus
1) Sensor Units record and postprocess accelerometer and
temperature readings during ascent
and while on-orbit
NASA Photos
© Invocon, Inc. 2015
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Sensor Configuration for Ascent Monitoring
Cross-strapping for Quadruple Redundancy
Port (OV-103)
1015 1108
1013 1033
1
1
Chine Area
Fwd
RTD
2
2
1014
1
2
2
3
4
5
1028 1023 1123
2
1027
1025
2
1
1
6
7
8
9
1
1
1
1
0
1
2
1034 1207
1019
2
1
1021 1022 1036
13
1032
1020
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2 2
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1 2
1031 1024 1030
1018
2
2
Aft
1
RTD
2
2
2
1
Starboard (OV-103)
1037
1052 1041 1058
1
1
Chine Area
Fwd
RTD
2
2
3
1
1060
1
2
2
4
5
1046 1047 1040
2
1051
1059
2
1
6
7
1049
2
8
9
1026 1042 1056
1
1
1
1
0
1
2
1044
1057
1
1048
1053
1
2
2
13
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2 2
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1 2
1043
Aft
1
RTD
1029 1054 1008
2
1
2
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WLEIDS Accelerometer Installation
Accelerometers installed behind WLE spar near the upper/lower attach bolts for RCC Panel assemblies
Panel 10/11 Upper
Panel 9/10 Upper
Accelerometer
Panel 10/11 Lower
Panel 9/10 Lower
Thermal Sensor
Centered Behind
Panel 10
Photographs looking forward inside port wing
NASA Photos
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Wireless Strain Gauge
Instrumentation System
INVOCON, INC.

Monitored the structural loads within the mechanical arm portion of the Shuttle Remote
Manipulator System (SRMS) during flight operations.

Monitored RMS structural loads through the measurement of RMS material strain at three
locations (cross sections): the Shoulder, Elbow and Wrist Pitch/Yaw/Roll Electronic housings as
shown below.
Crew
Transmitter&
Receiver
PGSC
Aft Flight Deck PLB
Window
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) Load Cell
INVOCON, INC.

Monitor Crew Member loads
on Shuttle Arm during EVA

12 DOF Load Cell including
strain and accelerometers

Real time and recorded data

Remotely operated from
crew compartment
NASA Photo
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Distributed Impact Detection System (DIDS)
INVOCON, INC.
(Invocon Patented Technology)
•
Provide ultra low-power impact detection circuitry for continuous
monitoring of structure for impacts throughout all mission stages
•
•
•
•
Sample rates up to 1MHz
4 channels / device
Ultra low-power trigger modes
A/E, Acceleration, Ultrasonic
• Aboard ISS for background level monitoring & leak/impact detection
• Will monitor Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM)
Photo courtesy of NASA
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Radiation Alert Immediate Disclosure (RAID)
INVOCON, INC.
 Real-time active radiation badge with wireless
communication capability
 Simplify radiation monitoring for personnel and
equipment
 Internal processing provides dose, dose rate, and
characteristics



Immediate feedback via onboard LEDs
Detailed feedback via wireless communication
Provides spectrum & direction
 Small (~ 3 x 5 x 1 inches)
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
System-On-A Chip Wireless Sensor
(SoCWS)
INVOCON, INC.
 Versatile platform for low-power wireless sensors
 Real-time data streaming to 5000 SPS
 Supports resistive transducer inputs
 900 MHz for wireless communication
 Flash memory for long-term logging
 Two types for flexible deployment options


© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Type 1 - USB, rechargeable battery, aux voltage input
Type 2 - programmable gain and bias
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Missile/Sounding Rocket
Applications
INVOCON, INC.
NASA Photo
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Wireless Intra-vehicle Communication System
(WICS)
INVOCON, INC.
 Designed for wireless communication within launch vehicles.
 Thrust Vector Control (TVC)
 Health and status
 Launch operations
 Includes detailed radio design for robust wireless communication.
 Small latency for control loop
 Capable of large packets for data acquisition
 Conducted wireless testing on two static firings of solid rocket motors.
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Invocon, Inc. Proprietary and Confidential Information.
© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Integrated PCM Telemetry Encoder
INVOCON, INC.
 112 Channel, Single-Board, PCM
Encoder
 Analog & Video Inputs
 Digital Inputs & Outputs:

RS-422, RS-232, and LVDS

16 inputs/outputs

16 serial UARTS

Dedicated telemetry output

Includes low-power radio for intravehicle wireless communication
7 x 7 x 1.65 inches
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Vehicle Lethality Assessment
INVOCON, INC.
 Telemetry Data Acquisition System - TDAS

Measures the response of a grid of up to
256 coaxial wires

Telemeters data to Ground Receiving Units
(GRUs) at 10Mbps

Self contained (power and communication)
 Kinetic Impact Position System – KIPS

Low cost version of TDAS

Integrates with vehicle power and
communication

Intelligent com link sharing to insure all
important data is transmitted
 KIPS 2

Smaller than KIPS

Better interfaces and more features
© Invocon, Inc. 2015
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Wireless Hit Grid (WKIPS)
INVOCON, INC.
(Invocon Patented Technology)
 Wireless transducers replace
or augment wired hit grid
 Reduces weight
 Enables detection of multiimpact events (i.e., debris
field)
 Simplifies integration
 Installs on vehicle skin
 Provides enhanced situational
awareness
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Passive Wireless
INVOCON, INC.
 Value added propositions
 Can help to eliminate wires between transducer and smart
wireless sensor
 Can decrease installation cost
 Concerns that must be addressed
 Reliability in challenging environments – Can’t adjust in-situ
 Size, weight, & Power (SWaP) of interrogator when added
to wireless sensor
 Measured parameters
 Sample rates
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015
Summary
INVOCON, INC.
Wireless Instrumentation
 Has a rich heritage in space applications
 Is an important tool available for systems solutions
 Combine data acquisition, processing, algorithm
development, storage, and communications
 Has demonstrated an ability to improve cost and schedule under
extremely short development programs
 PWST can add value by eliminating wires for the “last foot”
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© Invocon, Inc. 2015