Miniature MEMS-based data recorder for prognostics and health management (PHM)

This paper presents a a prognostic and health management system integrating microelectromechanical systems sensor with a standard microcontroller and measurement electronics for helicopters and military aircraft. In this way, prognostic sensors can be positioned closer to the stressed components and provide higher fidelity data with lower cost. An innovative design for a prognostic and health management (PHM) data recorder was presented, that facilitates sense-and-response logistics and provide a small and inexpensive package. This low-cost, low-power, and lightweight solution is based largely on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components; it is implemented using a standard low-power lightweight microcontroller core and COTS MEMS sensors to record and process local temperature and vibration data, and status reporting is implemented using a short range wireless transceiver.