Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Building 530, 440 Escondido Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, Engineering IV Building, 420 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Sensors (Basel). 2020 Apr 29;20(9):2528. doi: 10.3390/s20092528.
This article presents the development of a stretchable sensor network with high signal-to-noise ratio and measurement accuracy for real-time distributed sensing and remote monitoring. The described sensor network was designed as an island-and-serpentine type network comprising a grid of sensor "islands" connected by interconnecting "serpentines." A novel high-yield manufacturing process was developed to fabricate networks on recyclable 4-inch wafers at a low cost. The resulting stretched sensor network has 17 distributed and functionalized sensing nodes with low tolerance and high resolution. The sensor network includes Piezoelectric (PZT), Strain Gauge (SG), and Resistive Temperature Detector (RTD) sensors. The design and development of a flexible frame with signal conditioning, data acquisition, and wireless data transmission electronics for the stretchable sensor network are also presented. The primary purpose of the frame subsystem is to convert sensor signals into meaningful data, which are displayed in real-time for an end-user to view and analyze. The challenges and demonstrated successes in developing this new system are demonstrated, including (a) developing separate signal conditioning circuitry and components for all three sensor types (b) enabling simultaneous sampling for PZT sensors for impact detection and (c) configuration of firmware/software for correct system operation. The network was expanded with an in-house developed automated stretch machine to expand it to cover the desired area. The released and stretched network was laminated into an aerospace composite wing with edge-mount electronics for signal conditioning, processing, power, and wireless communication.
本文提出了一种具有高信噪比和测量精度的可拉伸传感器网络的开发，用于实时分布式传感和远程监控。所描述的传感器网络设计为一种岛蛇型网络，由通过互连“蛇形线”连接的传感器“岛屿”网格组成。开发了一种新颖的高产量制造工艺，可在低成本下在可回收的 4 英寸晶圆上制造网络。由此产生的拉伸传感器网络具有 17 个分布式和功能化的传感节点，具有低容差和高分辨率。传感器网络包括压电（PZT）、应变计（SG）和电阻温度探测器（RTD）传感器。还介绍了用于可拉伸传感器网络的灵活框架的设计和开发，包括信号调理、数据采集和无线数据传输电子设备。该框架子系统的主要目的是将传感器信号转换为有意义的数据，以便最终用户实时查看和分析。展示了开发这个新系统所面临的挑战和取得的成功，包括：（a）为所有三种传感器类型开发单独的信号调理电路和组件；（b）为用于冲击检测的 PZT 传感器实现同时采样；（c）配置正确的系统操作的固件/软件。使用内部开发的自动化拉伸机扩展了网络，以覆盖所需的区域。释放和拉伸后的网络被层压到航空航天复合材料机翼中，边缘安装有用于信号调理、处理、电源和无线通信的电子设备。
