Tronics Microsystems, a TDK Corporation company, has extended its high-performance MEMS inertial sensors portfolio with the introduction of a high-temperature accelerometer designed for measurement while drilling applications.
The Tronics AXO315T1 features a ±14 g input range and a digital interface specifically engineered for measurement while drilling (MWD) operations. This new device represents a significant step in temperature robustness for the company, following the June 2025 release of the AXO315T0, which was qualified for environments up to 150 °C. The AXO315T1 increases this threshold, operating reliably at temperatures up to 175 °C.
This sensor is powered by a unique closed-loop architecture that has been proven across several Tronics sensors. This design choice enables a 10x improvement in vibration rectification error when compared to traditional open-loop MEMS accelerometers. Consequently, the device serves as a cost-effective, low-SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) digital alternative to traditional quartz accelerometers. It is optimized for inclination measurement in directional drilling tools that must function under harsh temperature and vibration conditions.
The technical specifications of the AXO315T1 include a bias residual error of 1.7 mg over the full temperature range and a noise density of 10 µg/√Hz. With a vibration rejection of 20 μg/g², the sensor is built to maintain accuracy in the high-impact environments typical of the energy sector. It is rated for a powered lifetime of more than 1000 hours at its peak operating temperature of 175 °C.
These performance characteristics are intended to help a new generation of MWD tools meet the productivity requirements of complex and unconventional drilling operations. Beyond MWD, the primary applications for the technology include logging while drilling (LWD), directional drilling, and wireline services. TDK has confirmed that AXO315T1 sensors and corresponding evaluation boards are currently available for sampling and customer testing.
