Submersible Outboard Cable Failure Detection and Prediction using Large Bandwidth, Time Domain Reflectometry Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-057 Topic Title: Submersible Outboard Cable Failure Detection and Prediction using Large Bandwidth, Time Domain Reflectometry Proposal No.: N101-057-1442 Firm: Intelligent Automation, Inc. 15400 Calhoun Drive Suite 400 Rockville, Maryland 20855 Contact: Devendra Tolani Phone: (301) 294-4630 Web Site: www.i-a-i.com Abstract: In this proposal, Intelligent Automation, Inc. (IAI) details the development of an innovative, cable testing technology based on High Bandwidth Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) coupled with advanced signal processing algorithms. Soft faults, such as kinks, fractures, chafe and break in some of the conductors (which still maintain electrical continuity) are notoriously hard to troubleshoot and eventually lead to catastrophic system failure. Early detection of such soft faults can result in safer operations, more cost-effective maintenance, and help make remaining useful life predictions. However, no reliable methods for detection of soft faults have been developed to date. Recent experimental and simulation studies performed at IAI clearly demonstrate that the key to detect and locate soft faults is to utilize probe signals with extremely fast rise/fall times (in the order of tens of picoseconds). These studies also show that such faults have a unique signature which can be exploited for further processing gain. The proposed approach will detect and locates soft faults (in particular z-kinks) and evaluate the condition of specialized outboard electrical cables (in particular Submarine High Data Rate-SubHDR Dip Loop cable) to make statistical assessment of the remaining useful life (RUL). Benefits: Military/Government Application(s): We anticipate that the first product that results from our Phase II work will be a next generation cable testing device that can accurately detect and locate incipient faults (insulation failures such as kinks, chafes and cracks) well before they lead to system level disaster. This technology will revolutionize the way cables are tested and maintained. The market potential for advanced cable fault detection technology is immense both in defense as well as civilian application. Apart from various DoD applications (hundreds of miles of cabling in ships, submarines and aircrafts), NASA's space shuttle program, along with various other space programs also face similar failure modes. It is obvious that a piece of equipment that can accurately pinpoint incipient faults on cables well before they can cause a catastrophic failure will be a game changer in any application that uses cables, be it power or data. Non-Government Application(s): Cabling is ubiquitous and the problems associated with it are ubiquitous as well. Reliable cabling systems are critical to the safe operation of power plants, planes, ships and a whole host of industries that rely on electrical networks for safe transfer of data and power. This technology is especially relevant in cases where the cable is not easily accessible and visual inspection of the entire length of the cable is infeasible. Some examples are underground power and data cables. Return