TDK expands MEMS sensor portfolio 

TDK Corporation has introduced the Tronics AXO315T0, a high-temperature MEMS accelerometer designed for measurement while drilling (MWD) applications in the energy sector. The new sensor features a ±14 g input range and a digital interface, expanding TDK’s MEMS inertial sensor portfolio.

The AXO315T0 uses TDK’s closed-loop architecture, which delivers advanced vibration rectification and resistance to operational shocks. The device maintains a bias residual error of 0.8 mg across its operating temperature range of minus 30°C to 150°C, enabling precise and continuous inclination measurements for directional drilling tools exposed to high temperatures.

To meet the demanding reliability requirements of complex drilling operations in harsh environments, TDK qualified the AXO315T0 through more than 1,000 hours of powered life testing at 165 degrees Celsius, temperature cycling from minus 55 degrees Celsius to 165 degrees Celsius, and high-temperature vibration tests at 20 g RMS random vibration combined with a 50 g sine sweep.

The AXO315T0 offers a typical bias drift of less than 1 mg without recalibration after 1,000 hours at high temperature, providing a digital, low size, weight and power (SWaP) alternative to traditional quartz accelerometers. This advancement supports a new generation of MWD tools capable of long-term operation at elevated temperatures without compromising performance.

AXO315T0 sensors and evaluation boards are available for sampling and customer evaluation. TDK plans to further expand its MEMS portfolio for the energy market with a new accelerometer capable of operating at temperatures up to 175 °C.

Main applications:

• Measurement while drilling (MWD)
• Logging while drilling (LWD)
• Directional drilling
• Wireline

Key features and benefits:

• ±14 g input range, single-axis accelerometer
• Operating temperature range: minus 30 °C to 150 °C
• Bias residual error: 0.8 mg
• Powered lifetime: more than 1,000 hours at 150 °C
• Vibration rejection: 20 μg/g²
• Noise density: 10 μg/√Hz