"Intelligent" Transceivers Would Predict Failures of Parts

Special-purpose, "intelligent," computer-controlled, highly miniaturized radio transceivers have been proposed for use in monitoring critical and/or valuable pieces of equipment. These transceivers and associated electronic circuits would perform both diagnostic and prognostic monitoring functions: They would acquire and provide information on the history and current status of the monitored equipment. On the basis of this information, they would predict impending failures of components. Then they would order replacements for components expected to fail soon or for consumable supplies (e.g., fuel) expected to be exhausted soon; these orders would be submitted so that the needed replacements would arrive just in time.