Colibrys - Motion Sensors and Actuators

Colibrys is a world-leading supplier of standard and semi-custom Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based sensors and actuators (microsystems) for the harsh-environment (energy, military and aerospace), industrial and instrumentation markets. Its primary activity is the design, development and production of a range of proprietary high-performance MEMS motion sensors for selected expanding and high potential markets.

TRAIN ACCELERATION MEASUREMENT

The determination of a motion through acceleration measurement is largely used in a wide range of railway related applications:

• Determination of the acceleration and tilt control for high speed tilting trains
• Bogies vibration measurement for security and comfort
• Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS)
• Structure monitoring of trains, bridges or rails
• Rail monitoring for precise preventive maintenance
• Shock monitoring during transportation
• Levitation control for magnetic trains

TRAIN ACCELEROMETERS

These various applications require a large number of accelerometer products (electromechanical device to measure static or dynamic acceleration forces) offering the right specification for the right application. Various technologies exist to manufacture miniaturised sensors (bulk micromachining, surface micromachining, piezoelectric, piezoresistif, thermal and mechanical).

However they do not all present the same performance potential. To meet the required specifications, Colibrys accelerometers are based on MEMS capacitive sensors integrating bulk micro-machined silicon elements.

Accelerometers are used in a diverse number of applications including vibration sensing, inertial sensing, seismic sensing or tilt sensing. Each of these domains are characterised by specific technical requirements and served by dedicated accelerometer products.

VIBRATION SENSING

Variable capacitance sensors can advantageously replace traditional piezo-resistive products in some specific market areas. For a given acceleration range and bandwidth, the capacitive sensor offers a lower noise floor and a much better stability over time and over temperature. New VS9000 and MS7000 Colibrys products are the best adapted products for vibration sensing. Vibration sensing requires wide bandwidth, extended G range, small size and dedicated signal conditioning.

INERTIAL SENSING PRODUCTS

The long-term stability, low vibration rectification error and reliability of our standard MEMS capacitive accelerometers are regularly improved to meet the increasing needs of Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and Attitude-Heading and Reference System (AHRS) products for civilian and defence applications. New MS9000 and MS8000 Colibrys products are best adapted for inertial sensing. Inertial sensing usually requires long-term stability, reliability, and small size and weight, and is suitable for harsh environments.

SEISMIC SENSING PRODUCTS

Sophisticated MEMS capacitive sensors, combined with advanced electronics are key to providing high performance accelerometers for strong motion seismic applications. These products, with their extremely low noise and high dynamic range, are the best in their class worldwide, and present the unique opportunity to replace traditional geophones when submitted to harsh environments. Seismic sensing is characterised by very low noise, high dynamic range and application in harsh environments.

SF1500, SF2005 and SF3000 are the ideal products for seismic sensing.

TILT SENSING PRODUCTS

Variable capacitance sensors, thanks to their high resolution, high temperature stability and low power consumption, are extremely good products for tilt sensing.

Low G MS7000 and MS8000 accelerometers are Colibry's best adapted products for vibration sensing. Tilt sensing demands high precision and stability, low power consumption, small size and close-to-DC-frequency-response.

RAILWAY MICROSYSTEMS

Colibrys provides a wide range of standard and semi-custom microsystems as well as unique solutions for high performance motion sensing, largely required by railway technologies. Products have been extensively qualified versus diverse industrial or military standards, including the EN 50128 standard required by railway applications.