Crossbow Technology

Crossbow Technology, Inc. (also referred to as XBow) is a California-based company with two distinct product lines. One is based on MEMS inertial sensor systems. The other is based on wireless sensor network platforms. Crossbow Technology is a privately-owned company and has taken investment from Cisco, Intel and the Paladin Capital Group.^[1]

Inertial Systems

Crossbow was started in 1995 to exploit MEMS inertial sensors. Notable products include the AHRS500GA, used in the FAA-sponsored Capstone program. The AHRS500GA was the first stand-alone, completely solid-state FAA certified AHRS system.^[2] A follow-on product, the AHRS510GA is designed into the Eclipse Aviation Very Light Jet, the Eclipse 500.^[3]

Wireless Sensor Networks

Crossbow was one of the first suppliers of the Berkeley-style MICA motes.^[4] These implement the TinyOS operating system. Follow on products include the MICA2 (868/916 MHz) and MICAz (2.4 GHz) motes, and the Intel-designed IMOTE2. Crossbow also makes a software design platform for its hardware called MoteWorks.

Crossbow has received a number of awards for these products, including a "Best of Sensors Expo Gold 2006"^[5] and the BP Helios Award.^[6]

In 2008, Crossbow released eKo Pro Series System^[7], a cost-effective wireless sensor system that monitors the health and vigor of crops, vineyard, agriculture and the environment. Built upon Crossbow's wireless sensor technology, eKo Pro collects your vital data which can be viewed from anywhere in the world via a simple internet browser. eKo's sensors can monitor soil moisture, ambient temperature, leaf wetness of your vineyard and crop. In the same year, Crossbow Japan released NeoMote System that monitors energy usage in a building and the enhanced visual display allows for easeness in smart energy saving.

References

1. ^ Crossbow Technology : Inertial Systems : Company Overview - Crossbow, Investors
2. ^ Avionics Magazine :: New Products
3. ^ Eclipse Aviation - Partners
4. ^ Howstuffworks "How Motes Work"
5. ^ Report From Sensors Expo Part 1: Best of Sensors Expo Gold Winners - Sensors
6. ^ BP Global - Press - Winners announced in 2005 helios awards
7. ^ Reuters

External links

• The official Crossbow Technology Inc. website
• The official Crossbow Japan website
• The official FAA Capstone program website.

Further reading

• "Bringing MEMS and Motes to Life," BusinessWeek Online, Oct. 19, 2004.

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