Special report i Wireless technologies
small step changes. We’re taking big leaps
with a disruptive technology, so there’s
much work to do before we can use this
technology for real.”
WiTNESSS concentrates on collecting
sensor data and transmitting it to data
logging systems for processing. Wireless
reduces the weight and complexity of
the wiring required, which is particularly
important for many aircraft testing and
instrumentation applications.
“For example,” continues Hazelden,
Cutting the cake: Hazelden officially starts the WiTNESS project
“during the testing and validation of a
gas turbine engine for an aircraft, there
are approximately 3,000 temperature installing more cabling to power the and protect existing ones too.”
sensors and several hundred vibration system. We’re researching ways of self The consortium already has plans for
sensors which need to be wired back to powering or providing long life batteries potential follow-on projects to address
the data logger. This involves a hugely to power these systems.” areas of technology that are gradually
complex wiring harness to connect it, Conekt acts as an integration partner becoming clearer, but at present are
increasing the possibility of making within WiTNESSS by using its expertise beyond the scope of the existing project.
mistakes. If at least part of this function in hostile environment electronics gained “We’re at the first stage of discussions
can be connected wirelessly then it could in the aerospace and military sectors. for the short term exploitation of
provide huge time savings for aircraft “We lead the requirements and wireless technologies for various test
test beds requiring fitment of monitoring integration activities to bring together and instrumentation applications, and
systems, as well as when modifications the vital data that the other partners how we can build commercial alliances
are made which require test flights to provide and integrate into complete between the partners to start making
show that the modifications are correct.” systems that can be transferred to money,” he concludes. “Longer term we’ll
This normally requires temporary end user partners, such as Airbus, be looking at wireless applications that
instrumentation to be installed, which Bombardier and AgustaWestland – will fly on airliners, which may mean
again means complex wiring harnesses companies that will be using it for real further technology areas will need to be
being retrofitted into conventional on their aircraft,” notes Hazelden. “The de-risked before this is feasible.” ❙
systems. Hazelden says that replacing consortium comprises a mixture of www.conekt.net
these harnesses with wireless systems technology companies as well as those
makes it much easier to instrument an that already supply avionics systems, but
aircraft for a test programme, as you no want to add wireless technology to the
longer have to remove the temporary systems they already manufacture.”
wiring afterwards: “It’s easier to remove a With similar projects taking place in
few wireless sensors than it is to strip out the US and the Far East, there is the
an entire wiring harness,” he adds. danger that the UK aerospace industry
Part of WiTNESSS looks at finding a will miss out in terms of the market
suitable radio transmission system that share for wireless technologies.
will transmit the amount of data required “The consortium wants to grow UK
and will work within different applications market share in the future and win new
whilst satisfying the communication business as a direct result of being in pole
regulatory requirements such as the use of position to offer wireless technology,” he
certain frequency bands. avows. “We must unlock new markets
“Another barrier concerns power
consumption and finding a means of
actually powering these devices,” explains “The consortium is looking to grow UK market
Hazelden. “If a sensor is transmitting
data wirelessly from the end of the
share in the future and win new business.”
aircraft’s wing, it makes sense to avoid
Roger Hazelden, TRW Conekt
AEROSPACEMANUFACTURING | NOvEMbER 2009 21
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