ASC (Advanced Sensors & Calibration), headquartered in Bavarian Pfaffenhofen, is one of the leading manufacturers of acceleration and rotation rate sensors, as well as IMUs (Inertial Measurement Units). ASC-sensors are used, e.g., in crash tests in vehicle development, for safety and wear monitoring of rail-bound vehicles, for stability monitoring of turbines or measurement of fluctuations in container vessels.

Rail & Infrastructure. Optimized by ASC.

Reliable, robust precision sensor technology plays a critical role in increasing the capacity and productivity of rail transportation as the world’s sustainable mobility choice. Whether for metro, long-distance or freight transport – ASC designs, manufactures and implements a comprehensive range of analog, digital and smart inertial sensor solutions tailored to the exact needs of each individual rail and infrastructure provider. 

This includes high-precision accelerometers, gyroscopes, IMUs as well as the latest digital and smart sensors for the monitoring of trains, maintenance machinery, track, bedding, sleepers, bridges, tunnels and other structures and infrastructure components.

The diverse areas of application often require precisely customised solutions. Therefore, the ASC experts cooperate with their customers to develop completely new sensor solutions or customer- specific adjustments of individual parts such as cables, plugs or modified housings to attach the sensors. ASC implements them in small batches and with short times to delivery, which is decisive specifically for use in development departments. ASC products meet a high quality standard that is ensured by own production at the Pfaffenhofen site.

ASC products are characterised by its robustness and shock-resistance. ASC produces sensors in three product groups:

From Germany to the whole world, we deliver our high-quality sensors

Analog - Digital - Smart

1. acceleration sensors (capacitive, piezoresistive, IEPE)
2. angular rate sensors
3. inclination sensors
4. inertial measurement units (IMUs)

ASC sensors detect the position of trains, monitor the condition of the tracks or vehicles and enable maximum ride comfort through use in the following applications:

• Bogie strength (EN13749)
• Running dynamics tests ( EN14363)
• Ride comfort measurements (EN12299)
• Track position data acquisition (EN13848)
• Bridging Navigation
• Infrastructure monitoring (e.g, track, bridges, tunnels)
• Predictive Maintenance - Vehicle and Infrastructure

ASC also produces rotation rate sensors to measure rotating speed, e.g. in the aviation and aerospace, marine, automotive industries or for rail-bound traffic.

IMUs (Inertial Measurement Units) are also part of the product range. These units comprise of three acceleration and three rotation rate sensors each. They measure along a total of six axes. For example, they are used for driving comfort inspection, in rail-bound traffic, in the turbine cockpit or in aviation and aerospace.

Simple and well-structured handling of sensors enabled ASC to develop the sensor identification module ASCTeds. The system comprises of a microchip that can be installed in cables, plugs or housings, as well as a software saved on them. Basic data on the sensor model, sensor sensitivity, offset and the date of the last and next calibrations can be saved in a database.

Comprehensive services for sensor maintenance complete ASC's offer: The employees perform maintenance, repairs and calibrations for ASC and third-party products. Thus, the company offers comprehensive customer support that by far exceeds purchase and adjustment of products.

ASC is DIN ISO 9001-certified. ASC has its own calibration lab at its facility in Pfaffenhofen, Germany. The Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS) awarded the calibration laboratory of ASC GmbH on 23rd April 2013 with the authority to execute calibrations according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for the following mechanical measurands, Acceleration.

Certificate registration no.: D-K-18110-01-00

In December 2014 the consulting company Frost & Sullivan awarded ASC the “2014 Frost & Sullivan Company of the Year Award”. The points which were especially highlighted were the progressive technology of the products, the high service quality, the continuous extension of the product portfolio, expansion into other markets and the associated proximity to our customers.

Case Study with Alstom

Use under the harshest conditions

Sensors from ASC ensure both safety and comfort in rail transport



Alstom is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of rail vehicles. Among other things, the company test the running dynamics and bogie strength of new trains at their Salzgitter, Germany site. Capacitive acceleration sensors from ASC GmbH – a globally leading manufacturer – provide crucial measurement data during testing.

User report with imc

To make sure safety isn't lost in transit

ASC sensors ensure high-precision measurements in commissioning testing of long-distance trains

Measurement systems for commissioning tests of passenger trains have to meet high standards. That's why measurement technology manufacturer imc Test & Measurement GmbH used sensors from ASC GmbH for the test runs of a new long- distance passenger train. Their high precision and toughness won imc over.

Case Study with

DB Systemtechnik

Rail section monitoring during running operation

Sensors from ASC help Deutsche Bahn identify track damage early on

The condition of the rail network has to be inspected on a regular basis. For several years, Deutsche Bahn AG have also been using regular trains for monitoring infrastructure as part of their DB 4.0 digitalisation strategy. High-precision sensors from ASC GmbH in Pfaffenhofen, Germany are used to scan the track bed with millimetre precision here.

UContinuous infrastructure monitoring (CIM) on high-speed in-service trains

Railway infrastructure monitoring is cumbersome, disruptive and expensive. Or isn’t it? In partnership with Siemens Mobility Türkiye Tand DB Systemtechnik GmbH, Turkish State Railways (TCDD) decided to take an innovative approach: Continuous Infrastructure Monitoring (CIM). Enabled by ASC sensor technology, they are moving from a corrective “find and fix” approach to “predict and prevent”: the proactive identification of future risks by integrating historic with real-time data collected through inertial sensors embedded in high-speed

passenger trains.

Follow ASC GmbH

Visit ASC GmbH and learn more

Read more press releases

More Articles

Related to ASC GmbH