Affordable, Flexible, Network Capable Application Processor for Data Acquisition and Processing

Determination of a machine’s condition while in operation is the most economical type of maintenance to employ. Using predictive maintenance, the overall machinery condition at any time is known, and accurate downtime planning is possible. Predictive maintenance utilizes many different sensing devices, such as pressure, temperature, and machinery vibration. Historically, personnel have employed portable equipment to collect machine data periodically. The periodicity and applicability of the data collection is personnel/cost driven. A more advanced technique, continuous (real time) machine monitoring, is achieved through permanent mounting and cabling of sensors to equipment. The application of these permanently installed sensors is frequently cost prohibitive. There is a significant challenge to provide data collection capabilities that spans an entire ship while simultaneously meeting cost objectives. Under Phase II of this SBIR, 3ETI will create and demonstrate a prototype NCAP with LAN and WLAN interfaces capable of handling inputs from at least 100 wired sensors via 1451 interfaces, legacy interfaces and wireless interfaces. 3ETI’s design concept will utilize open systems interfaces. A report will be provided that details the concept, suggested metrics, estimated life-cycle costs, and development plan. In an effort to reduce the installation costs of Shipboard Control, the next generation system will use wireless communication from the sensors/actuators to and from the control LAN (the LAN may be wireless or wired). This final product will be a coordinated product combining the capabilities of Fairmount Automation’s Chameleon device and 3eTI’s 565N 2nd generation NCAP with enhancements to each product as described in this proposal and Fairmount Automation’s Proposal for SBIR N04-063 Phase II.