Sensor solutions to optimize high-speed railway performance

Earlier in 2024, German sensor specialist ASC and Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd (JAE) signed a collaboration agreement to complement ASC’s range of inertial sensor technologies with world-class quartz-based accelerometers and digital IMUs manufactured by JAE. The new partnership ensures access to JAE’s technology for customers in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, in addition to ASC’s own portfolio of highly innovative inertial sensor solutions.

Minimal measuring deviations due to quartz technology

The rail industry is a critical focus for both JAE and ASC Sensors. For almost 70 years, JAE has been researching, developing and manufacturing quartz-based sensor solutions for rail operators, amongst further industries and demanding applications.

For example, the JA-80GA servo-balanced quartz accelerometer helps to improve the tilting behavior of fast trains, thereby significantly increasing the safety, capacity and overall performance of high-speed railway.

This cost-effective, high-performance analog accelerometer features a measurement range of ±30 g and a resolution of less than 1 µg. It provides excellent long-term stability of the scale factor and the bias to deliver highly accurate results in operating temperatures ranging from -55 °C to +96 °C.

Quartz sensors help high-speed trains reach full potential

Based on these outstanding sensor specifications, the JA-80GA accelerometer forms the cornerstone of a concept to optimize high-speed trains equipped with tilt technology:

• Increased transport capacity and productivity through faster connections 
• Enhanced energy efficiency and sustainability
• Reduced wear and tear due to minimized braking and acceleration around curves 
• Advanced passenger ride comfort during high-speed curve negotiation 
• Strong customer satisfaction with faster, convenient mobility

Beyond train vibration and tilt control, with their properties and a built-in self-test function, JA-80GA accelerometers can be used in a wide range of further high-end control and measurement applications including structural health monitoring, seismic detection, automotive testing or navigation systems in the aviation and aerospace industries.

A perfect match

In addition to JAE’s quartz-based accelerometers, ASC will also incorporate in its portfolio two types of digital interface inertial measurement units (IMUs) to complement its own analog range.

“Meeting challenging requirements, JAE’s sensor products are a perfect match to complement our own range of highly innovative inertial sensor solutions,” Renate Bay, ASC General Manager, stated at the signing of the new collaboration in February, 2024. “We look forward to doing great things together to help customers progress their business based on the best available sensor solution to fit their unique needs, regardless of where it originates from.”

In Austria, Germany and Switzerland, ASC Sensors now serves as the authorized provider for these innovative quartz accelerometers ‘Made by JAE’, in addition to ASC’s own game-changing inertial sensor technology.