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.