Project Patchwork - Wirelessly Networked Structural Analysis Devices for Aircraft

Through this SBIR effort, NASA is looking for innovative technology to bolster its flight research capabilities. Particularly, NASA seeks the development of innovative measurement and data acquisition approaches. Mide through a past RIF BAA for Navair, developed a stand-alone high performance data logger for vibration/acceleration, pressure, and temperature. The device, dubbed the Slamstick X, was designed to support F/A-18 flight-testing, and in particular to measure structural vibrations in the aircraft in order to diagnose potential problem areas in the vehicle to guide repair and maintenance needs without the time and cost of traditional wired data acquisition approaches. Mide proposes to develop a wirelessly connected nodal Slamstick array (via wifi). Data from the wifi-enabled Slamstick loggers will be fed to a centralized sbc, base station computer, or flight computer for a more holistic real time estimation of aircraft and sub-component health during aircraft tests.

NASA is very active in aircraft flight-testing, aero-structural testing, simulation, and supporting scientific research with its active test bed aircraft. The proposed effort will be useful for flight testing, lab testing, and possibly for simulation. The Slamstick devices will provide structural information throughout the aircraft, but also provide other data on demand such as pressure and temperature, and inertial measurements via onboard IMU.

Any aircraft or spacecraft test facility could benefit from the development of a wireless Slamstick network architecture. Unmanned aircraft may especially benefit, if health management approaches can be fully hard wired. The effort will be very beneficial to the Air Force and Navy. Automotive testing, and shock testing could also benefit. Industrial applications/plant wide monitoring and process monitoring could also be of interest.

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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.