News
FBW09 CANEUS Workshop

Dr. Robert S. Walker, Assistant Deputy Minister (Science & Technology) Department of National Defence and Chief Executive Officer Defence R&D Canada.

June 22, 2009 – Montreal
–The CANEUS “Fly-by-Wireless” (FBW) Consortium, an international forum
promoting the advancement of a broad range of wireless technologies for
use by the global aerospace industry, is pleased to announce the launch
of four new projects for the sustainment of wireless technologies for
aerospace applications.

International representatives of aerospace industry stakeholders,
including new technology developers, solution providers, end-users, and
funding organizations, met at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal on June
8-10, 2009 to gain a clear understanding of end-user/customer needs,
their desired initial applications, and their idea of potential
solutions; as well as technology providers who are developing new and
cutting edge FBW technologies. The workshop culminated in measurable
deliverables, namely a set of four projects with significant mutual
benefits and high funding potential.

These four projects include:

• Aerospace Safety Enhancements at Core of Four Projects Selected by the CANEUS Fly-by-Wireless Consortium
• FBW09
• Caneus
• Fly-by-Wireless Workshop 2009

Wireless passive acoustic
emission sensors for structural and spacecraft health monitoring will
be developed by the Wi-SENSE Project Consortium as part of the CANEUS
FBW Consortia. The success of this project will lead to simplification
of the testing process, enhanced accuracy of test results, and reduced
test time for larger surface areas.

Wi-SENSE aims to address the need for passive wireless thermal,
acceleration, and acoustic emission sensors for structural health
monitoring. This includes the distribution of sensor networks and the
necessity for large quantities of sensors for testing and monitoring
large structures.

The proposed technologies involved include: Passive Surface Acoustic
Wave (SAW) wireless interface devices, Carbon nano tube piezo sensor
for acoustic detection up to the ultrasonic range, Conformal antenna
deposition compatible with ultrasonic frequency, Low power data
transmission and Wave propagation in Complex structures.

The proposed team to lead the Wi-SENSE project consortium consists of
NASA LaRC, Flight Research Laboratory IAR-NRC, ASR&D Corp, GE
Global Research, Bell Hellicopter, McGill University, University of
Liverpool, CNM-Spain, University of Sherbrooke and University of
Arizona. Other stakeholders will include potential customers such as
ESA, Boeing and EADS; integrators and solution providers from the
Americas, Europe, Brazil and Japan.

Karim Allidina (left) winner of the CANEUS Student Poster Contest ($500 Prize), and presenter Dr. Fassi Kafyeke, Bombardier Aerospace Strategic and Technology Director (right). Isabel Valenta, CANEUS International (far left) and Peter Eggleton, TELLIGENCE Group (far back).

A second project, “Wi-
ISHM” by the Wi-SENSE consortium will focus on the in-situ SHM of thick
laminate composite structures. This project will seek to ameliorate the
structural health monitoring of the main fuselage and/or the main
structure.

Wireless testbeds to evaluate protocols for critical communications
with airborne applications, will be developed by the Wi-TESTBED Project
Consortium as part of the CANEUS FBW Consortia.

Wi-TESTBED aims to implement a wireless testbed to evaluate the most
appropriate protocol for critical communications with airborne
applications; ID key performance nodes, and Resistance to EMI/EMP/HIRF.

Wi-TESTBED project will address the testing needs such as the
robustness of systems (ie. hacking, security); interference between
planes (equipment, personal devices); environmental (external, high
altitude reliability); performance, power, protection of critical
nodes; static and dynamic testing; and certification testing
(encryption, etc). The proposed team to lead the Wi-TESTBED project
consortium consists of Ridgetop Group, Bombardier Aerospace, Hydro
Quebec, FRL – NRC, École Polytechnique de Montreal, University of
Toronto, York University and solution providers.

Wireless Sensor System for Engine Monitoring will be developed by the
Wi-ENGINE Project Consortium as part of the CANEUS FBW Consortia.

The aim of the Wi-ENGINE project is to replace the wiring harness and
sensors currently used for engine monitoring with a wireless system
that reduces the wire, wire connectors, wire holds, weight, component
volume, system cost and maintenance cost. Through the implementation of
a wireless system, the reliability and manufacturability will also be
improved.

The project will deal with ground testing of turbine engines, engine
temperature, pressure sensing, flow, speed and active inlet. The
proposed team to lead the Wi-ENGINE project consortium consists of
McGill, NASA LaRC, Pratt & Whitney Canada, LMCO Skunworks,
University of Central Florida, ASR&D Corp., University of Maine,
University of Sherbrooke, and MEMS Vision Inc.

The four projects are led by:

• Wi-SENSE: 1.
  David Russel, Group Leader, Electronics and Flight Instrumentation,
  Institute for Aerospace Research, National Research Council Canada
• Wi- ISHM: 2. William (Cy) Wilson, NASA Langley Research Center
• Wi-TESTBED: 3. Douglas Goodman, CEO, Ridgetop Group Inc.
• Wi-ENGINE: 4. Mourad El-Gamal, McGill University & Founder, MEMS Vision Inc., Montreal
• ISHM

The CANEUS
“Fly-by-Wireless” Consortium is the steward of the aerospace industry’s
strategic and technology roadmap for wireless technologies. The CANEUS
“Fly-by-Wireless” Consortium has established a collaborative
environment wherein resources from member organizations are pooled to
focus on high-risk, high-cost initiatives aimed at accelerating the
infusion of emerging wireless technologies into aerospace applications
and promote intra-project coordination. In summary, the CANEUS
“Fly-by-Wireless” Consortium, with a strong participation by worldwide
end-users, has established a robust supply chain to sustain the entire
technology development pipeline. The Consortium also acts as the broker
for licensing intellectual property jointly developed by its
collaborative consortia. System integration efforts focus on the
development of the appropriate supply chain organizations.

Contact:
Milind Pimprikar
Chairman & Founder, CANEUS International
milind.pimprikar@caneus.org
Isabel Valenta
Communications Assistant, CANEUS International
isabel@caneus.org
Tel: (514) 499-3959
Fax: (514) 907-6199
1425 Rene Levesque Blvd. # 404,
Montreal QC Canada H3G1T7