The objective of Phase I of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of a Wireless Rotor-Mounted High-Speed Data Acquisition System for helicopter research. The system requirements encompass demanding features including capacity to acquire up to 256 rotor-mounted sensors at up to 31,720 samples per second. Programmable sampling strategies, and signal conditioning configurations are required. A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interface will transmit this data from the helicopter rotor hub to a ground station up to 1000 feet away at rates of at least 10 Mbit per second. The feasibility of many of the required features of this system has already been demonstrated in commercial rotor telemetry systems manufactured by the proposers. Therefore the research in Phase I will focus on a few key areas that are of concern to determine feasibility. These involve the transmission range of a IEEE 802.11 compliant wireless link from antennas mounted on the rotor hub to the ground station, particularly if the aircraft fuselage produces a shadowing effect. System architecture, implementation strategy and commercial component options will also be investigated, and a preliminary design will be developed. This project could lead to a tool that will help engineers and scientists who study the performance of helicopters to acquire data from large numbers of sensors mounted on rotor blades and other rotating components. Strain gages are most commonly used allowing researchers to determine stresses resulting from in-flight maneuvers. Other sensors such as accelerometers and pressure transducers can provide additional understanding of aerodynamic and vibration characteristics of the aircraft. This technology could also lead to automated track and balance systems that could drastically reduce the vibration environment in both military and commercial helicopters. This project has significance that extends beyond the area of helicopter research. The requirements for the system detail a highly flexible and reconfigurable data acquisition platform combined with wireless network connectivity. One can envision many other applications from the results of this research. Remote monitoring of conventional sensors using rugged data acquisition modules, wireless communications and web enabled tools will open significant new opportunities in both DOD and private sector markets.
