MEMSCAP (NYSE Euronext: MEMS), the leading provider of innovative solutions based on MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) technology, today announces the signature of another major project in the Strategic Agenda for European Aeronautics.
HISVESTA (acronym for High stability Vertical Separation Altimeter Instrument) is a new European project for Aerospace Safety, that furthers the successful work done under HASTAC (cf MEMSCAP Press releases dated February 21, 2005 and April 29, 2008) chaired by MEMSCAP, and is part of the European Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7) that focuses on improving the air quality, developing new systems to improve aircraft safety in bad weather, and determining ways of reducing aircraft production and development costs. The overall goal of the FP7 also is expected to reinforce Europe's industrial leadership and respond to aviation environmental and safety standards. Designed to implement the work done under HASTAC in general aviation and airliners, HISVESTA, like its predecessor, will answer the crucial need for increased safety in all in-flight situations, and particularly low visibility situations, for rotary and fixed wings applications (general aviation, helicopters, business jets, etc.).
The 5 technical work packages of this partly EU funded program (2.2 million euros for the entire consortium, out of which 27% are attributed to MEMSCAP) that should last some 30 months, are based on MEMSCAP pressure sensors SP83, for which multiple range derivatives will be developed, as well as new SP84 and TP 5000 sensors and transducers families, that will be suitable for high temperature applications, such as engine control. The technical project’s target is twofold: it aims to reduce the accident rate of airplanes in densely trafficked highaltitude airspace (such as busy transatlantic airways, which are not radar-controlled), where reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) rules apply by improving the accuracy of altimetry transducers used in Air Data Computers and Auto Pilot systems; it also intends to reduce NOX and CO2 in next generation of Jet Engines to match the oncoming AAT transport/aeoronautics regulations.
Furthering the work done under HASTAC that led to the most accurate MEMS sensors on the market, the new sensor platforms that will be implemented in new aircrafts starting from 2012 will encompass use in aircraft engines, cabin-pressure measurements, and air data computers. These high-stability altimeters researched, designed, processed and qualified by MEMSCAP for Hisvesta, will improve the accuracy and reliability in barometric reading for Air Data Computers by producing very accurate measurements of the vertical-distance separations between aircraft. Lighter, capable of maintaining accuracy through extreme magnitude temperature differences, and overall more temperature resistant, the new pressure systems, when used in multistage Jet Engine Controllers, will also improve the fuel efficiency, reduce noise and reduce the CO2 and NOX emission. Finally, in cabin pressure control systems, they will improve passenger comfort by offering better stability.
Sole company to contribute to all stages of this project that comprises Curtiss and Wright, Norwegian Research Center SINTEF, Microelectronica, Ceramica Ingenuea, MEMSCAP will be a key contributor as the technical coordinator and project manager of this project.