ABSTRACT
Performance, reliability, and safety of complex dynamical processes such as aircraft and power plants depend upon validity and accuracy of sensor signals that measure plant conditions for information display, health monitoring, and control (Dickson et al., 1996). Redundant sensors are often installed to generate spatially averaged time-dependent estimates of critical variables so that reliable monitoring and control of the plant are assured. Examples of redundant sensor installations in complex engineering applications are
Inertial navigational sensors in both tactical and transport aircraft for guidance and control (Potter and Suman, 1977; Daly et al., 1979)
Neutron flux detectors in the core of a nuclear reactor for fuel management, health monitoring, and power control (Ray et al., 1983)
Temperature, pressure, and flow sensors in both fossil and nuclear steam power plants for health monitoring and feedforward-feedback control (Deckert et al., 1983)
