Challenges for wireless sensing in complex engineering applications

Abstract

The cross-disciplinary work in this paper presents the key challenges faced in ongoing efforts to develop novel, fully-scalable, fault-tolerant wireless sensing systems for use in complex and demanding engineering environments where the primary objectives are to optimise performance, enhance equipment health management capability and reduce maintenance costs. Challenging issues need to be addressed in the aspects of performance, fault-tolerance, energy efficiency, survivability in harsh environments and propagation inside/around metal structures. Case studies are presented for the Aerospace and Marine domains that exemplify two very different design objectives that place different demands on embedded wireless solutions. In a novel aerospace application, Active Skin-Friction Reduction systems, implemented using hundreds to thousands of embedded wireless 'Smart Patches' to form a 'Smart Skin' system, could provide a crucial step change in fuel efficiency and carbon reduction by reducing aerodynamic drag through active modulation and suppression of turbulent airflow. The marine case study examines the potential for embedded wireless technologies to enhance existing marine control and automation systems onboard marine vessels. The advantage offered by wireless sensors over their conventional wired counterparts has significant potential to enhance diagnostic and prognostic capability in both new equipment designs as well as to provide a cost-efficient retrofit solution for legacy systems, therefore creating unique opportunities to improve performance, increase reliability, optimise maintenance schedules and reduce costly down-time.