Aerospace hardware testing gets zero-loss telemetry built for network and power outages

Hardware data platform Sift has introduced Sift Edge, a new software platform designed to record engineering test data directly at the test site, allowing aerospace and defense teams to continue collecting measurements even when network connections or power become unreliable. The launch targets one of the biggest challenges in hardware development. Many critical tests take place in remote locations, secure defense facilities or environmental chambers where internet connectivity is intermittent or unavailable. Losing telemetry during those tests can mean losing data that cannot easily be recreated. Sift says Edge runs locally alongside test equipment, stores data on-site and synchronizes it with the company’s cloud platform whenever connectivity becomes available. Offline data capture Many engineering teams rely on custom-built databases, dashboards and scripts to protect data during network outages. Those systems often require separate infrastructure and maintenance. Sift Edge aims to replace that approach with a single application that operates without cloud connectivity. Engineers can deploy it on one machine without managing clusters or additional services. As telemetry arrives from instruments, the software immediately writes it to local storage, ensuring measurements remain available even if power or network interruptions occur. The platform also includes a desktop application that displays live telemetry and allows engineers to search newly recorded data without waiting for cloud synchronization. Multiple users connected to the same test network can access the local instance simultaneously and monitor the channels relevant to their work. Built for field testing Engineering organizations can choose which datasets eventually move to the cloud, reducing bandwidth demands when test campaigns generate massive volumes of development data. Applications already built on Sift’s cloud platform also work on Edge without modification because both products share the same application programming interfaces (APIs). Austin Spiegel, Sift’s co-founder and chief executive officer, said many high-value engineering tests occur in environments where reliable connectivity simply is not available. “Tests are expensive and some can never be repeated,” Spiegel said. “Sift Edge puts full-fidelity capture, live viewing, and query right at the hardware.” He added that the platform brings Sift closer to laboratory equipment by communicating directly with data acquisition systems and measurement instruments. Engineers can run Sift Edge on macOS, Windows, or Linux. Sift built the application in Rust and says it is lightweight enough to operate on hardware as small as a Raspberry Pi. The software follows a store-and-forward architecture, keeping a durable local copy of data before uploading it once a network connection returns. Same APIs, faster deployment The company also emphasized compatibility with existing engineering workflows. Since Edge uses the same APIs as Sift’s cloud platform, teams do not need to redesign dashboards or software already connected to Sift. Early users say that compatibility reduced integration time. Will Pressly, lead engineer at CX2, said he created a bridge between Prometheus and Sift in about 12 minutes. He later connected the system to a hardware-in-the-loop testing environment, allowing live thermal telemetry from drone components to flow directly into Sift. Sift believes preserving complete engineering datasets from the moment aerospace testing begins will become increasingly important as companies rely more heavily on data-driven development and artificial intelligence to analyze hardware performance. Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Aamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.