Smart wireless low power valve positioner dedicated for use in aviation laboratories

Testing aircraft components in laboratories is crucial phase of developing new technologies in aviation. Component testing helps to find design mistakes or check durability and efficiency, which increase safety. Despite such an important role of laboratory tests in Aviation, valve positioners with insufficient capabilities are often used during the research. In many cases range of tests are limited because too low flow or pressure control resolution. Moreover, valves with valve positioners are moved between test rigs and change placement in the test room which generate laborious work with wiring and configuration. This paper shows the way for increasing capabilities of laboratory control system with use of smart, wireless, battery powered valve positioners. Following sections show control algorithm, PCB design and test results. Research shows that designed valve positioner controller enables the system to reach control accuracy many times higher than typical valve positioners available on the market and could operate directly with external sensors. Moreover, low power design approach enables valve positioner to operate for months without battery replacement. In proposed approach, positioner could be controlled remotely through Bluetooth Low Energy and could work as a part of laboratory IoT (Internet of Things) network.