Intelligent Software Associates and ExperTech have teamed with DOE's Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to deliver an innovative sensor validation system enabling real-time, automated sensor failure detection for all types of mission critical systems. Automated detection of sensor failures provides an immediate return on NASA's investment by reducing the manpower, schedule and uncertainty associated with sensor failure identification and remediation. ANL provides new, patented algorithms which have been shown to provide high fidelity sensor data validation for nuclear power generating stations. ANL technology is centered around implementations of the sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) algorithm and the multi-variate state estimation technique (MSET) algorithm. These algorithms will be integrated into the sensor validation run-time development system recently produced for NASA by ISAI/ExperTech. Our Phase I research will verify that ANL algorithms enable highly reliable data validation for high rate dynamics sensors, such as accelerometers and strain gages. Phase I culminates in production and delivery of a prototype run-time module which validates rocket engine flight accelerometer data with very high reliability. The sensor validation system resulting from this project will be widely applicable to reusable launch vehicle (RLV) control and monitoring systems and is responsive to the Access to Space/Space Technology research topic.
Potential Commercial Applications: Requirements for this product exist in mission critical aerospace and industrial control and safety systems where data integrity is essential. Sensor validation will enable improved safety, reduced maintenance cost, and optimal economics for many process- oriented enterprises including aerospace vehicle and ground support systems, power generation plants, and chemical processing plants. Sensor validation technology is applicable to any application where: time-critical, closed-loop control and safety monitoring depend on sensor input; or unexpected process interruptions due to sensor failures or false alarms are uneconomical. Launch vehicles clearly satisfy both criteria, as do many other NASA and DoD mission critical control and sensing applications. Most power generation and chemical process plants also satisfy both criteria. This wide-spread need provides excellent commercial potential. No competing solution has been identified which meets this need.
