Abstract: A sensor network includes a plurality of sensors and a base station for sending a series of data acquisition requests to the sensors. Each data acquisition request has an index. Each sensor has a synchronization calculation module and an internal clock. The sensors are adapted and configured to receive the series of data acquisition requests and record a timestamp of receipt for each data acquisition request. The sensors also store a predefined time interval related to the plurality of data acquisition requests so that the sensor can calculate a time to start collecting data based upon the series of data acquisition requests, the timestamps, the indices, and the predefined time interval. In an alternative embodiment, the base station only sends a general request for data acquisition and a synchronization sensor module receives the general request and, in turn, sends the series of data acquisition requests to the sensors.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring aircraft health and status using a situation-aware sensing system. The system includes an independent power source, a sensor that continuously measures a signal of interest to yield sensor data, and a processor that compares the sensor data to threshold data. The processor adjusts an operational parameter of the situation-aware sensing system to conserve power when the sensor data does not exceed the threshold data. The processor further adjusts the operational parameter of the situation-aware sensing system to stop conserving power when the sensor data exceeds the threshold data.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring loads applied to aircraft landing gear structure. The method includes the step of interrogating at least one sensor positioned proximate the landing gear structure by way of data acquisition circuitry to yield strain data. The method further includes the step of instructing the data acquisition circuitry with respect to a sampling rate and data resolution for interrogation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotor track and balance system for rotorcraft that includes a data processing unit, a tachometer sensor and at least one accelerometer. The tachometer sensor is located remotely from the data processing unit and is mounted proximate to the rotating blades of the rotorcraft. The tachometer sensor is adapted to measure the speed and position of the rotating blades and to wirelessly transmit speed and position data to the data processor. The at least one accelerometer is also located remotely from the data processing unit and is mounted proximate the rotating blades of the rotorcraft. Each accelerometer is adapted to measure vibration anomalies in the rotating blades and to wirelessly transmit vibration data to the data processor. The data processing unit synchronizes the wireless data transmitted from the tachometer sensor and the wireless accelerometer(s) and determines necessary adjustments to be made in order to reduce the vibration anomalies in the rotor blades.

Abstract: A sensor network includes a plurality of sensors and a base station for sending a series of data acquisition requests to the sensors. Each data acquisition request has an index. Each sensor has a synchronization calculation module and an internal clock. The sensors are adapted and configured to receive the series of data acquisition requests and record a timestamp of receipt for each data acquisition request. The sensors also store a predefined time interval related to the plurality of data acquisition requests so that the sensor can calculate a time to start collecting data based upon the series of data acquisition requests, the timestamps, the indices, and the predefined time interval. In an alternative embodiment, the base station only sends a general request for data acquisition and a synchronization sensor module receives the general request and, in turn, sends the series of data acquisition requests to the sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing devices includes a central access point node configured to utilize a low latency protocol to transmit a series of synchronization messages to the devices, transmit and receive data acquisition commands and responses from the devices using a high reliability protocol different from the low latency protocol, and calculate and apply relative clock offsets for each device based on the series of synchronization messages. The apparatus may also account for failure in delivery of a portion of the series of synchronization messages by recording timestamp data at the devices to send to the central access point prior to the central access point calculating the relative clock offsets.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing devices includes a central access point node configured to utilize a low latency protocol to transmit a series of synchronization messages to the devices, transmit and receive data acquisition commands and responses from the devices using a high reliability protocol different from the low latency protocol, and calculate and apply relative clock offsets for each device based on the series of synchronization messages. The apparatus may also account for failure in delivery of a portion of the series of synchronization messages by recording timestamp data at the devices to send to the central access point prior to the central access point calculating the relative clock offsets.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring aircraft health and status using a situation-aware sensing system. The system includes an independent power source, a sensor that continuously measures a signal of interest to yield sensor data, and a processor that compares the sensor data to threshold data. The processor adjusts an operational parameter of the situation-aware sensing system to conserve power when the sensor data does not exceed the threshold data. The processor further adjusts the operational parameter of the situation-aware sensing system to stop conserving power when the sensor data exceeds the threshold data.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring loads applied to aircraft landing gear structure. The method includes the step of interrogating at least one sensor positioned proximate the landing gear structure by way of data acquisition circuitry to yield strain data. The method further includes the step of instructing the data acquisition circuitry with respect to a sampling rate and data resolution for interrogation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotor track and balance system for rotorcraft that includes a data processing unit, a tachometer sensor and at least one accelerometer. The tachometer sensor is located remotely from the data processing unit and is mounted proximate to the rotating blades of the rotorcraft. The tachometer sensor is adapted to measure the speed and position of the rotating blades and to wirelessly transmit speed and position data to the data processor. The at least one accelerometer is also located remotely from the data processing unit and is mounted proximate the rotating blades of the rotorcraft. Each accelerometer is adapted to measure vibration anomalies in the rotating blades and to wirelessly transmit vibration data to the data processor. The data processing unit synchronizes the wireless data transmitted from the tachometer sensor and the wireless accelerometer(s) and determines necessary adjustments to be made in order to reduce the vibration anomalies in the rotor blades.