While Clio, the goddess and muse of history in Greek mythology used a paper scroll to make a record of events, today’s Clio uses the latest micro-electronics. Clio is the name given by EADS Innovation Works in Suresnes, to a project aimed at developing a generic Time Stress Measurement Device (TSMD) for use in aircraft, helicopters or other aerospace applications.
The purpose of such a TSMD is to keep a continuous and detailed record of an aerospace system’s on-board environment so that, should a problem or a system failure occur, the causes can more easily be traced. To have a clear picture of the on-board environment, measurements of temperature, humidity, shocks, vibrations, voltage and other factors are required. In effect, a TSMD works like a mini black box, collecting and storing a multitude of data over time.
EADS Innovation Works’s aims in developing the new TSMD were threefold. The device needed to be as small and light as possible so it could comfortably be installed in an aircraft or helicopter. It also needed to be capable of collecting as much information as possible. Finally, in order for the battery-driven device to stay in operation over a long period, it had to run on very little battery energy.
Initial work on a Clio TSMD started at EADS Innovation Works with the most compact off-the-shelf device available. “Weighing 600 grams, it was too heavy and also too large for aerospace use, since it was designed specifically for transportation, logistics and packaging applications”, researcher Bruno Foucher explains.
This TSMD measured and memorized the 128 severest shocks that occurred during its mission if they exceeded a defined threshold. It also recorded temperature and humidity and lasted six months.
To deal with this TSMD’s bulkiness, single-application design, limited memory and small number of sensors, the EADS Innovation Works research team defined and patented a generic electronic architecture, which included communication between the TSMD and its remote sensors by means of a serial bus. For this first Clio prototype, the integration of the electronics involved 3D technology to obtain a small cube measuring 43x43x41 mm and weighing 150 grams. With this new TSMD it was possible to add up to 123 external sensors, connected via the serial bus.
Recent work led by Vincent Rouet focused on developing an even smaller and more autonomous “second-generation” Clio TSMD. The current prototype is now only 20x40x15 mm, about the size of a matchbox, and weighs a mere 10 grams, without the battery.
The use of removable memories makes it possible to store practically unlimited data and avoids the need for downloads, which require relatively large amounts of energy. All that it requires is for users to replace multi-media cards once they are full.
The prototype is currently being validated and a kit in the form of a suitcase with all the necessary TSMD hardware, including a small computer, has been assembled for demonstration purposes. It allows EADS Innovation Works to promote its work on the TSMD within the different business units of the EADS group. Here and elsewhere, its marketing prospects are good, since the TSMD’s sensors can easily be adapted or others can be added for many potential applications in aeronautics, space and defence as well as in a wide range of other industrial fields.
