Case Study: Michelin – MEMS Tyre Pressure & Temperature Monitoring System
25+ Years of Development & Manufacturing for Mission-Critical Mining Electronics
For over 25 years, RVL has partnered with Michelin on the development and manufacture of their MEMS (Michelin Earthmover Management System) platform—an advanced TPMS solution deployed across mining operations worldwide.
MEMS enables near real-time monitoring of tyre pressure and temperature on large earthmoving vehicles, providing mine operators with critical data to improve safety, reduce downtime, and optimise tyre performance.
The Challenge
Electronics deployed in mining environments must operate reliably under some of the harshest conditions on earth:
- Extreme shock and vibration
- High temperatures and rapid thermal cycling
- Exposure to dust, moisture, and aggressive chemicals
- Long operational life with minimal maintenance
Michelin required a robust, scalable system capable of:
- Accurately measuring tyre pressure and temperature at the wheel
- Transmitting data wirelessly from rotating assemblies
- Aggregating data across multiple wheel positions
- Delivering actionable insights to centralised fleet management systems
RVL’s Solution
RVL has supported the MEMS platform from its inception through multiple generations, delivering both electronic design and manufacturing at its UK based site.
Complete System Development
- Design and manufacture of the original tyre-mounted sensor units
- Development of the vehicle-mounted transceiver system
- Creation of handheld diagnostic and service tools
- Continuous design evolution, now in its third major generation
Wireless Monitoring Architecture
- Reliable wireless communication from tyre-mounted sensors
- Centralised data collection via on-vehicle transceiver
- Secure transmission to back-office systems for analysis and decision-making
Advanced Transceiver Platform
The MEMS transceiver has evolved into a powerful and flexible edge device, engineered specifically for demanding industrial environments.
Connectivity
- Near real-time data transmission via:
- Ethernet
- Wi-Fi
- 4G LTE
- Bluetooth
System Integration
- 3 × CAN bus interfaces enabling integration with additional vehicle and monitoring systems
- USB Host and Slave connections
- RS232 and UART connections
Ruggedised Design
- Electronics housed within a heavily ruggedised bespoke enclosure
- Designed to withstand shock, vibration, temperature extremes, and environmental exposure typical of mining operations
Autonomous Operation
- Integrated rechargeable battery for flexible deployment and system resilience
Modular Architecture
- Expandable hardware platform supporting additional features, including:
- Additional Ethernet ports
- Alternative GSM / cellular configurations
- Future system enhancements without full redesign
Sensor Evolution
Over successive generations, the tyre-mounted sensor has evolved from a relatively simple electronic assembly into a highly specialised, ruggedised product.
Key advancements include:
- RF Communications optimised for payload efficiency
- Reduced battery consumption, enabling longer operational life and reduced maintenance intervals
- Enhanced resistance to mechanical shock and vibration
- Protection against aggressive chemicals and contaminants
- Reliable operation across wide temperature ranges
- Improved accuracy and long-term stability
This continuous improvement has been critical in supporting reliable, long-term deployment in remote and demanding mining environments, where maintenance access is limited and system uptime is essential.
UK-Based Manufacturing Excellence
At their secure site in Kent, RVL provides specialist manufacturing of both the sensor and transceiver, meeting the specific requirements of MEMS platforms, including:
- High-reliability PCBA manufacturing
- Precision electromechanical assembly
- Full product traceability
- Comprehensive test logging and data capture
- Continuous process optimisation for consistency, efficiency and repeatability at scale
Over time, RVL has developed a highly efficient, product-specific manufacturing system tailored to the requirements of MEMS, drawing on proven platform specific expertise with the flexibility to support evolving production needs.
Results & Impact
- Deployed across mining operations worldwide
- Improved safety through early detection of tyre issues
- Reduced unplanned downtime and maintenance costs
- Extended tyre life and operational efficiency
- Enabled near real-time, data-driven decision making at fleet scale
Ongoing Partnership
Now in its third major product evolution, MEMS continues to advance, with RVL providing:
- Ongoing design refinement and product development
- Continued manufacturing of critical system components
- Adaptation to new technologies and deployment requirements
This long-term collaboration demonstrates RVL’s ability to support complex electronic systems from initial concept through to decades of production and continuous improvement.
Learn more here: Michelin MEMS
