MPT500 is an ultra-small, ultra-light aerospace pressure sensor with a 24mm body and a weight of just 13g. It fits most standard test environments without modification. This case covers an installation where that was not enough: a test rig with only 50mm of usable space. By moving the signal amplifier to an external module, we reduced the installed length to roughly 20mm, and the sensor took the place of the Kulite units originally specified for the project.
What challenges did the client face?
An aerospace research institute originally planned to use Kulite pressure sensors for engine bench tests.
Long lead times and cost pushed the team to look for a qualified alternative they could source faster.
Their test rig only had 50mm installation space. The standard MPT500 came with a built-in amplifier, which was too long to fit.
How did we deliver the tailored solution?
Our engineering team moved the amplifier to an external module. The sensor body length was cut to around 20mm, fitting perfectly within the 50mm space.
The customized unit was then calibrated at a third-party laboratory. The calibration certificate, including the raw data sheet, ships with the sensor.
We delivered the qualified prototype within 4 weeks, causing no delays to the client’s test schedule.
“The external amplifier design lets us install the sensor without adjusting our test rig. Performance matched the Kulite units we were replacing.”
— Lead test engineer, aerospace research institute (name withheld at the client’s request)”
Why the amplifier had to move outside the body
A built-in amplifier places the signal-conditioning electronics inside the sensor housing. That is convenient for standard installations, but it also sets a minimum body length — and on this rig, that minimum exceeded the space available.
Splitting the sensor into two parts solves it. The sensing head keeps only the pressure element, so the installed length is set by the head alone. The amplifier moves to a separate module connected by cable, and can be mounted wherever there is room.
The trade-off is practical, not electrical: you need a mounting point for the module and a cable route. Cable length and routing are worth settling early in the layout, because they affect where the module can sit.
On-site test performance
The customized MPT500 held steady through the bench tests: 0.1% FS accuracy and 400 kHz frequency response, with an operating temperature range of -55°C to 125°C. Measured parameters matched the Kulite specification called out in this project’s test plan.
The sensor ran continuously for over 200 hours with zero signal drift or faults.
The client’s team accepted the third-party calibration certificate without further comment and cleared the sensor for the test campaign.
Value for similar space-constrained test rig projects
This project shows where customization earns its cost: when a standard sensor is technically right but physically too long. If your constraint is the same, our MPT500 aerospace pressure transducer page lists the standard envelope, and the Kulite cross-reference library shows which original models it maps to.
Every unit ships with an individual calibration certificate from an accredited laboratory. If your project requires independent verification, we support sending the sensor to a metrology institute of your choice for re-calibration — no restrictions and no handling fee from our side.
Compared with imported sensors, our solutions feature shorter lead times and better cost control.
FAQ
Can the MPT500 pressure sensor be customized for limited installation space?
Yes. The standard MPT500 pressure sensor features an ultra-compact body length of only 24mm and weighs just 13g, lightweight and mini enough to fit most conventional test rig installation scenarios. For a few extreme ultra-narrow installation environments like the 50mm limited space in aerospace test equipment, we can further customize it with an external amplifier design to shorten the mounting size perfectly, meeting strict space constraints for aviation, aerospace and satellite application scenarios.
Does the customized MPT500 come with third-party calibration?
Yes. Every unit is calibrated at an accredited third-party laboratory and ships with its individual certificate and raw data sheet. If your project requires independent verification, we can also support sending the sensor to a metrology institute of your choice for re-calibration.
Does moving the amplifier outside the body affect the sensor’s performance?
No. The sensing element and its signal path are unchanged; only the physical location of the amplifier changes. Frequency response and accuracy are measured on the assembled, calibrated unit, so the certificate you receive reflects the actual configuration.
Is the customized MPT500 performance consistent with Kulite sensors?
After customization, the MPT500 keeps its 0.1% FS accuracy, 400 kHz frequency response and wide-temperature stability, matching the Kulite specification used for this engine bench test. See the Kulite HKM-375 and Kulite ETM-375 cross-reference pages for the parameter-by-parameter comparison.
What are the advantages over imported Kulite sensors?
We provide flexible size customization, faster delivery cycles, lower overall costs, and complete third-party certification support, solving long lead time and high-cost pain points of imported sensors for research institutes.
Can you modify sensors with external amplifiers for other space-constrained projects?
Yes. External amplifier customization is a mature solution. We can adjust sensor body length, diameter, and interface structure according to different test rig space limits for aerospace and industrial testing scenarios.
If you are working with limited installation space, tight weight budgets, or a requirement for independent third-party calibration, send your dimensions and test conditions to our engineering team. We will confirm what is achievable and quote a custom pressure sensor —and if you are replacing an existing model, check our aerospace application page first to see whether a standard unit already fits.
