Automatic assets
To ensure and expand sustainable mobility solutions, the transport of passengers and cargo requires high-performing, seamlessly integrated monitoring and control systems. High-capacity transportation assets can be maximised through automated 24/7 sensor supervision, real-time analyses and predictive maintenance alerts and actions
One such example is a large rail viaduct in the UK that was just completed to form a critical component of the new HS2 high-speed rail programme. To help ensure its smooth, safe and stable operation, ASC supplied specially configured servo-balanced quartz accelerometers for integration in the bridge. Specially developed and evaluated for this industry partnership, the ASC QBA series is now available for broad application. It helps infrastructure operators strengthen the safety and proactive maintenance of critical infrastructure while achieving gains in traffic volumes, efficiencies and cost savings for railway companies.
ACCURATE QUARTZ TECHNOLOGY
The 2.1 mile, gently curving viaduct was built in an area of diverse landscapes. It stretches over a series of lakes, waterways and reservoirs, open green spaces and parks – an intensely frequented public area. As part of a high-speed rail line putting considerable strain on the structure, therefore, precision instrumentation and constant monitoring are of essence. To that end, the bridge operator decided to integrate high-performance, servo-balanced quartz accelerometers at defined measuring points in the deck segments and noise barriers of the bridge to ensure seamless, safe operation under extreme stress loads.
“When StrainSense Limited, our distribution partner for the UK and Ireland, received the request to provide high-precision sensors based on quartz technology, they spoke to us,” says Renate Bay, managing director of ASC Sensors. “To meet the brief, our team immediately went about customising our quartz-based accelerometers to provide effective help in the structure’s monitoring and sound barrier deflection. In mid-2025, we delivered the first batch of sensors for the project.”
HIGH PRECISION IN STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING
Close collaboration between the two sensor specialists and the customer drove technical excellence. What resulted was the customisable ASC QBA series: uniaxial quartz accelerometers specially designed for highest precision in structural health monitoring, configured to the needs of rail infrastructure operators and civil engineering at large.
ASC QBA series accelerometers are now readily available in vertical-mounted, uniaxial VX, VY or VZ sensitive directions. Based on proven, high-performance servo-balanced quartz sensing elements, they feature a measurement range of ±30g. A resolution of better than 1μg enables the detection of even the smallest vibrations. They offer outstanding long-term stability of the scale factor (K1: 1200ppm) and bias (K0: 1200μg), too. On demand, biaxial and triaxial accelerometers as well as smaller measuring ranges down to ±1g are available.
TRANSPORTATION AND BEYOND
ASC’s robust QBA series can be adapted to fit application-specific housing of protection class IP67. The upgraded electronic circuitry utilises flexible power supply of 9-36VDC and a 4-20mA analogue current output for reliable data transmission. The sensors have been developed to provide high accuracy and long-term stability in applications across the world. At operating temperatures from -40°C to +70°C, they can be leveraged from the arctic circles to the world’s deserts almost without exception.
Like most of its flexible range of inertial sensors, ASC can adapt its QBA sensors to include tailormade biaxial and triaxial accelerometers. Also feasible, on demand, are even smaller measuring ranges of up to ±1g as well as an optional voltage output signal. They can be equipped with a customer-specific connecting cable.
Beyond bridge monitoring and civil engineering, ASC QBA accelerometers can help solve a wide range of further high-end measurement, monitoring and navigation challenges. These include train vibration and tilt control applications, conveying systems, seismic detection, automotive testing or navigation systems in the aviation and aerospace industries.
PUSHING AHEAD THROUGH INNOVATION
“We’re proud to be supporting high-speed railway, a key step towards a sustainable future of transport and mobility,” Bay says. “As with the UK high-speed rail infrastructure operator, we’ll collaborate closely with you to adapt our cutting-edge sensor technology to unique specs and business needs.”
“At ASC, leapfrog sensor innovation typically comes from close customer collaboration,” Bay adds. “The best ideas usually emerge from bringing diverse perspectives to a tough problem – often something no one ever tried solving before.” ASC will then tailor a solution. However, it is even better when those innovations become accessible to others in the market, too. “Our rapidly growing world needs strong transport and mobility options. The ASC team partners with pioneering organisations and businesses around the globe to create those.”
Words by Oliver Stohlman on behalf of ASC Sensors. www.asc-sensors.de
