Wireless sensing in radio controlled aircraft

• Grant number: 12/05834-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2012
• End date: May 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Cíntia Borges Margi
• Grantee: Rodolfo Rodrigues de Sousa
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this project is the development of a wireless sensing system to be installed in a small radio-controlled airplane. The system will feature wireless data acquisition, such as GPS position, orientation\emph{g-forces} and relative speed. A flexible, compact, and easily-implementable wireless sensor network (WSN) will be developed in order to test airplanes (during their flight) in a quick and reliable way. That way, the core motivation is to provide better prototype aircraft tests, giving the possibility to designers to analyze under which exact conditions their aircraft flew -- making it possible for them to evaluate the theoretical work involved in designing that airplane (whether their calculations were or were not correct). The system will also allow a more precise diagnosis of a possible airplane failure during the test flight. In this project, it is proposed a study of remote wireless sensing and aviation, through theoretical learning, project, and system implementation. Throughout its development, hardware choices, validation tests, sensor management, execution of prototypes, and documentation will be made all steps required for this to be a successful project. (AU)