Wireless integrated network sensors (WINS): distributed in situ sensing for mission and flight systems

Wireless Integrated Network Sensors (WINS) form a new distributed information technology of combined sensor, actuator, and processing systems. WINS distributed nodes form autonomous, self-organized, wireless sensing and control networks. WINS nodes include microsensors, signal processing, computation and low power wireless networking. WINS enable distributed measurements for applications ranging from aerospace system condition monitoring to distributed environmental science monitoring. This paper will discuss the enabling technology advances of WINS for mission and flight system in situ sensing. This will include the complete set of technologies, from new MEMS devices through information technology. Finally, a new WINS generation, GlobalWINS, will be described. GlobalWINS has been developed for planetary-wide distribution of science instruments.