PROJECT TITLE : Large Array Single Chip smartSensors
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
This proposal focuses on the development of long duration fault tolerant smartSensors that can be left in the field for up to three years without recalibration or other servicing. The units will incorporate a large array of individual microsensors and control circuits mounted on a miniaturized micro-machined single chip circuit and will use collocated microprocessors for intelligent poling and threshold logic to eliminate faulty sensors. This redundancy will make the sensors extremely fault tolerant and ideal for long duration and harsh environment field use. Both temperature and pressure sensors can be developed. The sensors would be housed in an environmentally sealed rugged stainless steel enclosure. Communication and power will be provided through conventional wire leads or by battery powered wireless communication. The innovative wireless configuration will lend itself for use in inaccessible areas such as inside of fuel tanks and pressure vessels where the sensors could be put without the need to run cabling. The operator can query the sensors as needed through a wireless hand held computer interface.POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
A commercial market exists for rugged long duration sensor in a wide range of fields. The wireless battery operated sensors will be applicable to monitoring internal pressure and temperatures in existing pressure vessels without the need to cut holes for instrumentation, simply drop in a pressure/temperature sensor good for three years. Related industries such as tanker trucks, gas duers, oil and gas tanks will welcome this technology. Miniaturized low cost modules can be installed inside truck and car tires to monitor tire pressures critical for fuel efficiency. Also meteorological sensors will have application in remote inaccessible sites. The redundancy and ruggedness aspects will find applications in the military and space based sensor markets.NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR
Merritt Systems, Inc.
435 Gus Hipp Blvd.
Rockledge, FL 32953