Quartz Accelerometer QA-3000

Overview

The Quartz Accelerometer QA-3000 is a high-stability, hermetically sealed inertial sensor engineered for precision acceleration measurement in demanding aerospace, defense, navigation, and industrial test environments. Based on resonant quartz tuning fork technology, the QA-3000 operates on the principle of Coriolis force detection: acceleration induces mechanical stress in the quartz crystal structure, resulting in measurable frequency shifts proportional to applied g-force. This solid-state design eliminates moving parts, delivering exceptional long-term bias stability, low hysteresis, and immunity to electromagnetic interference. Unlike piezoelectric or MEMS-based accelerometers, the QA-3000 maintains metrological-grade repeatability over extended operational lifetimes—critical for applications requiring traceable calibration and minimal drift under thermal cycling or mechanical shock.

Key Features

• Three performance variants (QA3000-010, QA3000-020, QA3000-030) optimized for distinct environmental and accuracy requirements
• Full-scale input range of ±60 g with sub-milligal bias (<4 mg) and resolution better than 1 µg
• One-year composite repeatability as low as <40 µg—validated per ISO 5347-12 and MIL-STD-810G procedures
• Integrated thermal modeling enables real-time compensation of temperature-induced scale factor and bias errors
• Hermetic 300-series stainless steel housing rated for operation from –55 °C to +85 °C (QA3000-020/010) or –28 °C to +78 °C (QA3000-030)
• Robust mechanical design qualified to 150 g shock (half-sine, 1 ms) and 15 g peak sine vibration (20–2000 Hz)
• Dual self-test capability: voltage-mode and current-mode diagnostics support in-system functional verification per DO-160 Section 22 and IEC 61508 SIL2 requirements
• Low power consumption (<480 mW at ±15 VDC) with wide input voltage tolerance (±13 to ±28 VDC)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The QA-3000 is compatible with rigid mounting on aluminum, titanium, or Invar substrates using standard 10-32 UNF threaded holes. Its compact cylindrical form factor (≤1.005 in diameter, ≤0.585 in height) ensures minimal mass loading and mechanical coupling effects during modal testing or platform stabilization. The device complies with RoHS 2011/65/EU and REACH (EC 1907/2006) directives. While not certified to a specific aerospace standard out-of-the-box, its design basis aligns with the functional safety architecture required for AS9100D-compliant systems. Traceable calibration reports—including bias, scale factor, axis misalignment (<1500 µrad), and vibration rectification error—are available upon request and conform to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory practices when performed by authorized service centers.

Software & Data Management

The QA-3000 interfaces via analog output (–10 VDC, ratiometric to supply) and supports optional digital telemetry through external signal conditioning modules. Raw output data is compatible with industry-standard DAQ platforms (e.g., National Instruments PXI, Keysight M9703A, Dewesoft X) and supports time-synchronized acquisition at sampling rates up to 10 kHz. Calibration coefficients—including temperature-dependent polynomial correction terms—are stored externally in configuration files compliant with IEEE 1451.4 TEDS templates. For regulated environments, integration with LabVIEW or MATLAB-based validation scripts enables automated generation of audit-ready records satisfying FDA 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signature and data integrity requirements. All firmware updates and diagnostic logs are timestamped and cryptographically signed to ensure GxP traceability.

Applications

• Inertial navigation systems (INS) for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and guided munitions
• Structural health monitoring of rotating machinery, wind turbine blades, and railway infrastructure
• High-fidelity shock and vibration testing per ASTM D3332, ISO 10816, and SAE J2452
• Gravitational field mapping in geophysical survey instrumentation
• Closed-loop motion control feedback in semiconductor lithography stages and precision optical benches
• Flight test instrumentation for civil and military aircraft certification programs

FAQ

Is the QA-3000 calibrated before shipment?
Yes—each unit undergoes full-axis static calibration at ambient temperature and includes a certificate listing bias, scale factor, nonlinearity, cross-axis sensitivity, and thermal coefficients. NIST-traceable calibration is available as an optional add-on.
Can the QA-3000 be used in vacuum environments?
The hermetic stainless steel package is suitable for high-vacuum applications (≤10⁻⁶ Torr); however, thermal dissipation characteristics must be evaluated for prolonged operation above 70 °C in zero-convection conditions.
What is the recommended mounting torque for the QA-3000?
Maximum torque is 12 in·lb (1.36 N·m) for the 10-32 UNF mounting threads. Over-torquing may induce parasitic strain affecting bias stability.
Does the QA-3000 support analog output scaling for different supply voltages?
Yes—the –10 VDC output is ratiometric; output amplitude scales linearly with supply voltage within the specified ±13 to ±28 VDC range.
Are repair and recalibration services available outside Germany?
Authorized service centers in the US, UK, and Singapore provide full recalibration, hermeticity resealing, and component-level repair under ISO/IEC 17025-accredited processes.