This project assessed the utility and viability of utilizing low power active RFID tags, and by extension similar wireless sensor networks, on board a representative aircraft.
These tags were of interest due to their utilization in the DOD supply chain as pallet and container tags, and their similarity to wireless sensor systems.
The project included a ground test on the aircraft to determine ability of the tag and interrogator to communicate on and around the aircraft as well as potential issues with and effects on the aircraft avionics systems.
Project researchers
- Selected representative tags and interrogators for analysis.
- Surveyed existing tag characterization work done by NASA and others.
- Developed a catalog of quantitative tag and interrogator models.
- Installed tags and interrogators in and around a selected aircraft.
- Measured tag interrogator performance in situ on the aircraft at selected locations.
- Correlated the measurements with the models previously developed.
- Developed an avionics interference model for the tag/interrogator emissions.
- Measured and quantified of the levels of interference with the aircraft avionics.
The final project report recorded details of the models, measured data, and performance obtained in aircraft testing.
