Reliable real-time wireless sensor networks using spatial diversity

Wireless sensor networks for aerospace applications need to provide reliable communications with guaranteed real-time functionality in order to serve the requirements of especially the flight control domain. Additionally, the communication system needs to be energy-efficient to enable autonomous operation of wireless sensors. The environment is challenging for wireless communication regarding the propagation of electromagnetic waves due to shadowing, reflection and absorption by metallic objects and carbon-fiber materials. We present an approach where spatially distributed redundant access points are used to reliably communicate with wireless sensors and actuators without sacrificing end-to-end latency even in non-line-of-sight conditions. The wireless sensor network is analyzed by means of measurements in a launcher structure and by extensive simulations. The obtained results show the feasibility of the approach and the performance benefits versus state-of-the-art wireless sensor networks.