Description: NASA is supporting the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) concept for safe, sustainable, affordable, and accessible aviation (e.g., passenger transport and cargo transport) both locally and intraregionally. However, operations occur is a dynamic environment in which conditions vary rapidly, both spatially and temporally. Therefore, a reliable network of cost-effective weather sensors is required to meet regulatory and safety constraints. To address this need, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (Intellisense) proposes to develop a new Weather Integrated Network Design Software (WINDS) system that automatically designs scalable, robust, and tailored weather sensing networks to support AAM operations in the most cost-effective method possible. The web-based tool includes an integrated, constantly updated database of all available sensing technologies and sensors, including their applicability to the ASTM tiered standards with everything from commercial aviation-grade sensors, low-cost integrated weather sensors, and data provided by non-traditional means and imagery including cameras and satellite. WINDS then leverages an integrated mapping and topography tool to analyze system performance over the user-defined operational area and mission requirements. WINDS’s network synthesis automatically generates a slate of weather networks meeting the target with clear illustrations of tradeoffs between various configurations including cost. The pathfinding-based network synthesis algorithm navigates an underlying safety risk model that links weather network capability to UAS safety in specific airspaces. WINDS system outputs tailored system designs that refine cost, core functionality (including features such as communications requirements), and performance to provide the most cost-effective solution possible to the AAM customer. During Phase I feasibility will be demonstrated through catalog development and algorithm demonstration in preparation for full system deployment in Phase II.

Benefits: The WINDS system has direct applicability to NASA research, specifically to the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) mission to accelerate applications of passenger transport, aerial work, and cargo transport. Among the three pillars of the AAM ecosystem (vehicle, airspace, and community), weather is a critical component and the WINDS technology addresses this critical need by deploying reliable, robust weather networks that meet regulatory and mission requirements at the lowest cost possible.

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) will revolutionize transportation and delivery. An enormous impact is expected on the commercial aerospace industry and regulated by the FAA. Safe operation of all aircraft including new electric and hybrid aircraft (e.g., Joby Aviation, Wisk Aero) requires monitoring of the weather, and the WINDS system is an essential planning tool to address this need.