Miniaturized sensors study for aerospace applications

• Main Authors: Tieon, Shaun Wei Jie, Kok, Mitchell Ming En, Yap, Julian Hua Wei
• Other Authors: Li King Ho Holden
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2023
• Subjects: Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering; Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/167938
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The purpose of this project is to investigate the viability of deploying various commercial off-the-shelf gas sensors (specifically sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide gas sensors) in extreme atmospheric conditions, including critically low temperatures and air pressures. A payload was designed to survive and operate through these conditions, making it suitable for a range of experimental aerospace and volcanic applications. An example of these applications includes measuring sulphur dioxide intake into aircraft turbine engines, which causes sulfidation of engine blades. Another application includes monitoring gas concentrations in the vicinity of volcanic eruptions, which would allow scientists to monitor changes in gas emissions and predict volcanic activity. Since a High Altitude Balloon (HAB) launch would serve as a good simulation of such harsh conditions, our team developed a robust sensor payload housing suitable for HAB deployment, where considerations such as weight, size, power, and temperatures requirements were taken into account. A comprehensive suite of telemetry systems was designed into the housing to support both the measurement of other crucial parameters, and data transmission for the experiment. Despite best efforts to insulate the housing, onboard sensors and components would still be exposed to extreme conditions and hence rigorous temperature tests were conducted to determine their suitability. Our experiments proved that the prototype was able to successfully transmit mission critical sensor data over long distances. When the set-up was placed in cold temperatures of up to -40°C, sensor functionality was not affected, and the data was successfully received in real-time. This proves that our prototype can operate in extremely low temperature conditions, which makes it suitable for high altitude aerospace and volcanic eruption applications.