A process was designed to fuse data from multiple sensors in order to make a more accurate estimation of the environment and overall health in an intelligent rocket test facility (IRTF), to provide reliable, high-confidence measurements for a variety of propulsion test articles.

The object of the technology is to provide sensor fusion based on a distributed architecture. Specifically, the fusion technology is intended to succeed in providing health condition monitoring capability at the intelligent transceiver, such as RF signal strength, battery reading, computing resource monitoring, and sensor data reading. The technology also provides analytic and diagnostic intelligence at the intelligent transceiver, enhancing the IEEE 1451.x-based standard for sensor data management and distributions, as well as providing appropriate communications protocols to enable complex interactions to support timely and high-quality flow of information among the system elements.

Troubleshooting is simplified through sensor fusion that allows users to interface and verify all sensors via Web-based interfaces. Confidence is improved in decisions due to the use of fusion algorithms. Performance is improved in ad verse environmental conditions. Costs for setup and teardown are reduced. Recalibration when replacing sensors is not required as the data acquisition system can autonomously recalibrate itself. The costs for installation, maintenance, and upgrades for measurement and control systems are also reduced.

This work was done by Ray Wang of Mobitrum Corporation for Stennis Space Center. For more information, contact Ray Wang, Mobitrum Corporation, (301) 585-4040. SSC-00361