Project Title:

Integrated Sensor Control and Telecommunications

92-1-14.01-1291                                                   NAS09-18848
Integrated Sensor Control and Telecommunications
Invocon
9001 I-45 South, Suite 560
Conroe, TX  77385-8703
Karl Kiefer                                          (713-364-1291)

Abstract:

     NASA requires a sensory network to various spacecraft
systems. Sensors are located in and around the spacecraft where
phenomena are to be monitored. Sensors may be either fixed or
mobile. Sensors must send data from each point to a centralized
terminal for use by mission managers. The sensor control and
telecommunications (SCAT) system solves the problem of collecting
data from groups of spatially distributed sensors while minimizing
physical size, weight, power consumption, equipment cost,
installation complexity, and maintenance. SCAT is a packet radio
store-and-forward network (S/FN) combined with a distributed,
artificially intelligent, network management (AIM) algorithm. SCAT
can communicate both data and control messages between any nodes,
in the network. Any network node consists of a microprocessor and
radio transceiver and can interface with various analog or digital
sensors. Network configuration, monitoring, and reconfiguration is
handled automatically at each node by the AIM algorithm. S/FN
technology removes the need for direct communication between all
network nodes thereby saving radio power, size, and cost. The
unique combination of this technology with the microprocessor-
based AIM algorithm makes possible the creation of the ultra-small
microwave sensor data collection system.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  The system can be used in
watershed analysis, glacier ablation, passive seismic networks,
microclimate definition, ocean-energy exchange dynamics, and
command and control for electric power grid management.

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