A “SMART SENSOR” BUS FOR DATA ACQUISITION

Abstract

This paper discusses a “Smart Sensor” interface being developed for use in the Boeing Company. Several laboratory groups and Flight Test have joined in a study to define such an interface. It will allow a data acquisition system to record data from a large number of “Smart Sensors”. A single pair of wires will form a bus to interface the sensors to the data system. Most systems will need more than one bus. Some needs exist for "Smart Actuators" as well to allow for closed loop control within the laboratories. The process control industry has developed several candidate busses. The groups are now in the process of evaluating the capabilities of the available busses to see which ones, if any, will do our job. To see if anyone else has similar needs, these requirements and the candidate busses are being shared. The goal is to see if some form of cooperation is possible.