NIFTI v1.2 Enhances Secure Flight Test Data Capture
MEMKO releases NIFTI v1.2, introducing improved security, radio performance, and power management for non-intrusive flight test instrumentation in operational and training environments.
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MEMKO has released version 1.2 of its Non-Intrusive Flight Test Instrumentation (NIFTI) software, extending the platform’s capabilities in secure wireless communication, system reliability, and operational efficiency. The update applies to both airborne flight test use and classroom or laboratory-based training scenarios where repeatable, high-quality data acquisition is required.
Context: Non-intrusive flight test instrumentation
Non-intrusive flight test systems are designed to capture aircraft performance and behaviour data without permanent airframe modification. This approach reduces certification complexity and enables faster deployment across multiple aircraft types. In such systems, wireless reliability, data integrity, and power management are critical, particularly during extended test campaigns or intermittent use.
NIFTI v1.2 addresses these requirements through coordinated updates to sensor node firmware and the configuration application.
Firmware updates for security and reliability
The sensor node firmware now supports SHA-256–encrypted wireless communication using user-defined passphrases. This strengthens protection against unauthorised access and aligns the system with modern cybersecurity expectations for airborne and ground-based test networks.
Power management has also been improved. Nodes can now be shut down explicitly for storage, reducing battery degradation during inactive periods. In addition, the firmware enables more accurate measurement of battery charge regardless of the battery’s state of charge, improving predictability during test preparation and deployment.
Radio-frequency performance has been enhanced to increase throughput and resilience to interference, supporting more stable data transmission in electromagnetically complex environments such as hangars, flight lines, or test aircraft with dense onboard electronics.
Further refinements include system-level performance improvements and clearer visual feedback via LEDs, allowing operators to identify node states during reset or erase operations without connecting external tools.
Configuration application enhancements
The NIFTI configuration application has been updated to mirror the new firmware capabilities. Users can now define and manage passphrases for encrypted wireless networks directly within the application, simplifying secure system setup.
The app also introduces a node shutdown command, enabling operators to place devices into a low-power state prior to storage. This reduces manual handling and supports more consistent battery preservation across fleets of sensor nodes.
Operational impact
Together, the firmware and application updates improve data integrity, cybersecurity, and operational readiness while preserving NIFTI’s core characteristic of flexible, non-intrusive data capture. The enhancements are aimed at reducing setup time, increasing confidence in wireless performance, and extending hardware lifespan across repeated test and training cycles.
With NIFTI v1.2, MEMKO continues to refine the platform’s suitability for modern flight test environments where secure communication, reliable telemetry, and efficient lifecycle management are increasingly important.
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