Field Deployable Wireless Data Acquisition System for Ground-Test Arrays

The Interdisciplinary Consulting Corporation (IC2) proposes to develop a field-deployable wireless data acquisition system (WDAS) for microphone phased arrays that are applicable in noise-source localization or beamforming measurements such as those encountered during airframe noise flyover measurement tests. This proposed technology is in response to the NASA FY 2019 SBIR/STTR solicitation subtopic A1.02 Quiet Performance - Airframe Noise Reduction for the improvement of “innovative source identification techniques for airframe noise sources, such as landing gear and high lift systems.” The proposed measurement system expands NASA’s technology portfolio to allow for faster, higher-accuracy, lower-effort/cost testing by minimizing the technological, logistical, and cost-prohibitive issues of performing field-deployed microphone phased-array tests. These improvements will allow for increased usage of phased-array flyover testing, and increased size/resolution arrays. Potential applications for the system include field-deployed noise flyover-measurement tests, and field-deployed engine-stand noise emissions tests. The realization of this capability not only benefits the testing of next-generation innovative noise-reduction airframe structures, but also impacts turbine test facilities, extending the current capabilities of NASA’s flight- and ground-test facilities.

The target application for entry into NASA is microphone flyover phased array measurement for low-noise commercial airplane technology development testing and for development of low boom technology of supersonic aircraft. The proposed system is applicable to other NASA test interests such as full-scale static engine testing where large microphone phased arrays may be deployed to detect various sources of engine noise. Rotorcraft acoustics and UAV acoustics are other potential areas of interest.

The initial target market is flyover acoustic phased array testing for the aerospace industry and full-scale static engine testing. Other possible markets are: military detection testing where large distributed arrays of microphones are required to measure the noise “footprint” of an aircraft as it flies by; and wind energy for noise source location on wind turbines.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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