Aerospace

Sensors, electronic circuits, modules, and customized systems have a decisive influence on the quality, economic efficiency and safety of aerospace applications. Extreme environmental conditions such as temperature changes, acceleration, and vibrations place very high demands on the reliability and resilience of the products. At the same time, the systems need to be small, light, and sophisticated. In addition, the long development, approval, and operation times in the aerospace field call for reliable cooperation partners for development and production activities as well as to ensure particularly long-term availability of the products.

First Sensor Lewicki GmbH, which is owned by First Sensor AG, has over 50 years of application expertise and experience in aerospace technology and operates development, production, and service activities according to processes and procedures certified to EN 9100. To check the reliability of our products, we conduct stress tests (design margin tests) as well as screening and qualification, for example, according to ESA standards. The use of the latest thick-film hybrid technology enables the construction of very small, robust, and ultra-reliable electronic modules and circuits, e.g. for power electronics applications. These custom systems from First Sensor provide you with cost savings in the development of OEM devices as well as competitive advantages due to the resulting short development cycles and innovative solutions.

Our sensor solutions for aerospace

First Sensor also offers position-sensitive diodes (PSD) with very high spatial resolution that register the relative change in position of a dot on the detector. The NuSTAR X-ray satellite launched in 2012 uses First Sensor's two-dimensional photodiodes from the PSD Series with an active sensor area of 400 mm² to manage the continuous alignment of the telescope lens relative to the sensor unit.

First Sensor supplies precision inertial sensors for use in control and navigation applications for aircraft and unmanned spacecraft as well as for stabilizing platforms and antennas. The capacitive inclination and acceleration sensors are based on single crystal silicon sensor elements and the latest micromachining technology. The MEMS sensors achieve a very high signal-to-noise ratio as well as exceptional temperature stability and can detect the smallest changes in position or acceleration. The high aspect ratio microstructures (HARMS) guarantee ultra-low cross axis sensitivities. Furthermore, patented AIM (Air gap Insulated Microstructures) technology minimizes parasitic capacitances by insulating the active areas with an air gap. The innovative technology platform makes it possible to flexibly adjust inertial sensors to your specific requirements.

First Sensor's pressure sensors and miniature solenoid valves monitor and control the internal cabin pressure in aircraft, thereby safeguarding the air pressure and oxygen levels required for breathing in pressurized cabins up to altitudes of 15 km. The differential pressure between the internal cabin pressure and the outside atmospheric pressure is adjusted to the respective flying altitude to avoid subjecting the structure to unnecessary stresses. Should the cabin pressure fall below a critical value, the pressure sensors also activate the emergency oxygen supply. Our precision piezoresistive silicon pressure sensors from the HDI Series offer measurement ranges of up to 5 bar absolute pressure. In addition, First Sensor develops and manufactures multi-sensor modules that integrate a large number of components such as sensors, valves, pumps, switches, and micro-controllers to create compact plug-and-play solutions. The use of plastic manifolds allows the precise three-dimensional arrangement of flow channels without the need for cumbersome and fault-prone piping for the individual components.