Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2024 - 38

SPINOFF
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Test flights help airplane and drone manufacturers identify which parts of the aircraft are creating
the most noise. Using hundreds of wired microphones makes it an expensive and time-consuming
process to improve the design to meet noise requirements. (Image: NASA)
surements over several months, it won't
be necessary to go to the site daily to
download measurements.
The WirelessArray supports a variety
of sensors, so a microphone can easily be
swapped for an optical sensor or a variety
of other types. Each unit has its own selfcharging
battery and solar panel, supporting
long-term deployment. Built-in
GPS maintains synchronized sampling
across multiple nodes, and wireless communication
allow users to download data
remotely and monitor the health of each
device.
The
nodes'
environmentally
hardened enclosures make it possible to
take measurements in any weather without
additional protection from dust,
snow, or extreme temperatures.
A startup developing a new remotely
piloted vehicle can now get sophisticated
flight-test data to quickly identify
noise issues during takeoff, flight, or
landing. Multiple test flights for every
modification can speed the time to market
because the cost to set up, operate,
and take down the system is so low.
All it takes to operate an individual
node or an extensive array is an off-theshelf
wireless access point and a standard
laptop loaded with IC2's software application.
The nodes are also easily integrated
into existing systems.
This small, portable technology is
finding its way into a variety of projects
and applications beyond aircraft testing.
IC2 is working with an entomologist
to use acoustic data to listen for
high-frequency insect sounds in agricul38
tural
settings. Discovering where insects
feed on crops will make it possible for
farmers to intervene before they do too
much damage while limiting pesticide
use to those areas.
Researchers are exploring ways to
monitor mice and rats in a biological
setting by swapping the standard acoustic
sensor that matches human hearing
for an ultrasonic sensor. This will make
it possible to monitor squeaks and other
sounds that indicate animal health
and well-being. A similar ultrasonic sensor
could monitor the flight path of supersonic
aircraft, identifying when a
sonic boom is approaching an area.
The technology can be applied to anything
that generates sound, collecting
data according to a pre-set schedule or
on demand. Wind turbines, rocket engine
test stands, and environmental observations
such as the noise level at airports
are just a few possibilities. NASA
could also use this system to collect data
for entirely new airplane designs.
" We've been pushing the acoustic
side as aeronautics move into more advanced
concepts like the truss-braced
wing, maybe distributed electric propulsion,
or others. That raises the need
for noise testing and noise certification
for new configurations, " said Humphreys.
So, NASA engineers could
soon trade the semi-trucks and servers
for a couple of minivans and laptops.
For more information, visit https://
spinoff.nasa.gov/Measuring_Buzz_
Hum_Rattle.
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Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2024

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