Crossbow's Wireless Sensor Start-up Kit for Data Acquisition Provides 4-Channel Three-Step Turnkey System for Under $2K.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2001

Package Connects Sensors to Computers without Wires for

Wide Range of Applications

Crossbow(R) Technology, Inc., today introduced a start-up kit that connects four sensors to data acquisition systems or the Internet, allowing computers to gather data quickly and wirelessly from sensors in industrial and medical equipment, on vehicles, in buildings and in factories or on large structures.

The Crossbow wireless sensor start-up kit enables the use of sensor technology in applications that are difficult or impossible to wire or that are subjected to harsh physical conditions. Data can be moved instantly through the CrossNet system to data acquisition systems or the Internet for review by multiple, authorized users in remote locations.

The new kit contains everything necessary to connect four sensors, including the CrossNet node that contains a wireless radio built around the new Bluetooth wireless standard; four self-identifying Smart I/O cables that connect to the node; a Bluetooth interface for a personal computer; and Crossbow's Windows(TM)-compatible software.

Using the Crossbow start-up kit requires three simple steps. First, the sensors are connected to the CrossNet node via Crossbow's Smart I/O cables, which provide self-identifying circuitry using the IEEE 1491 Transducer Electronic Data Sheet, or TEDS. This enables the node to detect the type of sensor in use, its useable range, and the appropriate engineering units for reporting data. Second, the Bluetooth interface is connected to a personal computer via the USB port, up to a distance of 10 meters. Finally, using Crossbow's free software, users can receive data and transmit commands to and from the sensors.

"Wireless technology is here, now, for industrial automation applications," stated Crossbow President and CEO Mike Horton. "Our starter kit lets our customers find out how easy it is to gather data from sensors without the huge expense of wiring."

Crossbow's CrossNet wireless start-up kit is ideal for applications in the food, oil, gas, pharmaceutical, chemical, and factory automation markets, as well as overlay monitoring and ad hoc sensor solutions and control. The CrossNet architecture supports a broad range of sensor vendors and types including temperature, pressure, motion, flow, gas, chemical, humidity, magnetic, light and strain.

Crossbow's CrossNet wireless start-up kit is available now for $1995 and can be ordered from a Crossbow representative or from the company's web site at www.xbow.com.

About Crossbow Technology

Crossbow Technology, Inc. is the leading supplier of low-cost, intelligent digital sensor solutions. Crossbow is located at 41 E. Daggett Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. Telephone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Email: [e-mail]. Visit Crossbow at www.xbow.com.

Note to Editors: Crossbow is a registered trademark and CrossNet is a trademark of Crossbow Technology, Inc. Bluetooth is a trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Sweden. All other product, service and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.