Automated Fault Diagnostics, Prognostics, and Recovery in Spacecraft Power Systems  

Qualtech Systems, Inc. 

Wethersfield, CT 
 

INNOVATION 

• Qualtech (QSI) developed an Automated Fault Diagnostics, Prognostics, and Recovery system that utilize advanced analytic algorithms to better use the observations. It also produces faster and more accurate estimation, which can automatically adapt with changing system states and operating conditions
• Significant developments include:
  • Decision support and advisory information that reduces the necessity of human intervention and planning for very detailed contingency procedures
  • Utilize and enhance data and models from previous observations and diagnostic outcomes. Makes intelligent use of data, especially when synchronization, out of sequence, and missing data related problems are encountered

• Developed techniques for detection and identification of degradation in electronic components, solar arrays and batteries
• Investigated the feasibility of different data-driven prognostics techniques. These techniques span the domains of multivariate statistics, neural networks, and time series analysis.
• Developed methodologies to assess the power supply and utilization capability of the spacecraft Electrical Power System (EPS) using a TEAMS (Testability Engineering and Maintenance System) diagnostic model (fault – component dependency model)
• Identified requirements for validation environment setup

COMMERCIALIZATION 

• The Automated Fault Diagnostics system is part of TEAMS, which is a tool used in design/analysis phases of complex systems. QSI was selected for NASA’s prestigious Space Act Award in 2002 for developing a software suite in collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center researchers
• QSI merged TEAMS-NASA with their commercial product and have recently released TEAMS-Designer® 11.0. This new functionality of their TEAMS product forms the FMECA-module of TEAMS-Designer® 11.0. Other Aerospace customers, such as Gulfstream, are already benefiting from this. In addition, multiple NASA centers are using the QSI technology. Ames Research Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Johnson Space Center all have TEAMS-Designer® site licenses and several other centers are currently purchasing single-user licenses to support their Constellation tasks. Also, Honeywell, the Orion avionics subcontractor, has selected TEAMS-RT® for on-board Vehicle Health Determination
• Orbotech, another TEAMS user that designs, develops, manufactures, markets and services automated optical inspection (AOI) systems and imaging solutions for PCB production. Orbotech has deployed the TEAMS® solution worldwide for their entire field service workforce to minimize troubleshooting time and eliminate false pulls
• KLA-Tencor, a leading supplier of yield enhancement equipment to IC manufacturing lines, acquired the TEAMS® solution after an extensive evaluation showed that a novice technician equipped with the TEAMS® guided troubleshooting solution (GTS) could routinely outperform an expert in troubleshooting a complex system
• Other companies that utilize Qualtech software include Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, BAE, and General Motors, making it an integral part of a number of critical, innovative projects that receive international attention

• Resulting technologies will provide an integrated solution for spacecraft EPS and other embedded system health management and reconfiguration to support higher level goals. The efforts will also lead to techniques and software packages that will be readily deployable for integrated system health management (ISHM) in Orion, the crew exploration vehicle (CEV) of the Constellation program
• The technologies can be applied to many commercial applications which contain embedded diagnostic and prognostic subsystems, such as commercial airplanes, hybrid vehicles and ships, industrial automation systems and semiconductor manufacturing machinery

Return to NASA SBIR Success Listings 

Aircraft Systems/Subsystems, Electronic Systems/Components, Energy, Sensors, Software, Test & Measurement

Curator: SBIR Support            10/21/09