Crossbow Introduces Industry's Lowest Cost Piezoelectric Vibration Sensors.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 12, 1999--

Crossbow Technology, Inc. today introduced its HF Series of low-noise, wide bandwidth accelerometers for vibration and shock measurements.

The HF series includes the industry's lowest priced one- and three-axis piezoelectric vibration sensors. These new sensor subsystems are ideal for vibration monitoring of all kinds: vehicle and engine testing, shock recording, predictive maintenance, industrial vibration monitoring, and acoustic and high frequency measurements.

With a single-axis unit priced at just $149 for U.S. markets, Crossbow's HF Series accelerometers are the industry's lowest priced piezoelectric vibration sensors. Comparable sensors are typically two to three times more expensive.

NMB Corporation is using the CXL10HF1Z to provide feedback in vibration testing of alternator bearings to detect failure in early life cycle evaluations. "We picked the HF series for this application because it provided a voltage signal out that can be measured easily without additional conditioning, for a cost-effective price," stated Doug Wyatt, Senior Laboratory Technician, of NMB. "We were able to easily mount the unit on a fixture, measure the vibration at the beginning of the test, and then monitor the change in the vibration over a three week period."

Based on Advanced Piezoelectronics

The HF Series accelerometers are precision vibration sensors based on an advanced piezoelectric material integrated with current regulation electronics. The sensors feature low noise, 300 uGrms, and wide bandwidth, 0.2-10,000Hz. These are the industry's only sensors that are compatible with both current source and voltage mode systems.

The HF Series features a current source interface that allows the sensor backward compatibility with many older systems. If powered by a current source, the signal wire is used as both the excitation signal and the sensor signal. A constant current of 0.3 - 20 mA is provided by a current source, such as a battery box, signal conditioner or analyzer instrument with current source I/O capabilities. Alternatively, an unregulated +5-30 Vdc power supply can be used, eliminating cumbersome and costly interface electronics (battery powered and line-powered signal conditioners).

A Variety of Configurations and Packages

Crossbow's HF Series consists of four parts: the CXL10HF1Z single-axis device with a span of +/-10G; the CXL10HF3 three-axis device with a +/-10G span; the CXL100HF1Z single-axis device with a +/-100G span; and the CXL100HF3 three-axis device with a +/-100G span. Two package choices are available: a standard plastic package that is 0.75 inches high, 1 inch deep and 1.875 inches wide and a high temperature aluminum package that is 0.86 inches high, 1.2 inches deep and 2 inches wide.

Single-unit pricing for the HF Series in the standard plastic package ranges from $149 for the single-axis parts to $349 for the three-axis parts for the U.S. market. Pricing for international destinations is slightly higher. Both are available now. These products can be ordered from the company's web site at http://www.xbow.com.

Company Background

Crossbow Technology, Inc. is the leading supplier of low-cost, leading-edge sensor subsystems that typically replace older, less reliable or much larger mechanical sensors. Crossbow's sensors integrate silicon micromachining (MEMS) technology with digital signal processing. The sensors use the company's proprietary SoftSensor(TM) embedded software to compensate for sensor inaccuracies, provide algorithms for stabilization, navigation and other crucial functions in both analog and digital outputs. Founded in 1995, 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.