Industry's First High-Speed Solid-State True Vertical Gyro Introduced by Crossbow Technology, Inc.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 1998--Crossbow Technology, Inc. today announced the DMU-VGX, the industry's first high-speed solid-state true vertical gyro with the speed and accuracy necessary to accurately measure roll and pitch in dynamic environments such as camera and antenna stabilization, artificial horizon applications, automotive testing, marine motion monitoring, and unmanned vehicle orientation sensing and stabilization.

By utilizing the latest in silicon micromachined (MEMS) technology coupled with high-speed digital signal processing (DSP), the DMU-VGX delivers a much more cost-effective solution than its mechanical predecessors while delivering outgoing performance similar to vertical gyros costing three to four times as much.

"Crossbow's DMU was the only product we encountered that could plug into our airborne monitoring system and provide the angle information we require," said Dave Fetherson, VP of Engineering at Altair Avionics, Inc. "We have what you might call a 'worst case environment' when you consider the heavy vibration of the engine coupled with turns that take away any gravity reference from the sensors."

DMU-VGX is Solid-State Replacement for Older Mechanical Technology

With its DSP technology and proprietary algorithms, the DMU-VGX goes well beyond existing rate sensor and six-axis solutions, making it a superior replacement for older mechanical sensor technology. While mechanical sensors often have an MTBF (mean-time between failure) as low as 500 hours, the DMU-VGX has much higher reliability with an MTBF estimated at over 50,000 hours.

Sophisticated software calculates instantaneous angle from the rate sensors and uses the accelerometers to correct for drift and to provide a gravity reference, resulting in functionality equivalent to the traditional mechanical gyro. The DMU-VGX provides stabilized roll and pitch (artificial horizon) output with an instantaneous initial erection rate compared to the traditional spin-up of several minutes. Existing six-axis accelerometer/rate sensor solutions provide direct acceleration and rotational rate data but do not provide the stabilized angle information required for most gyro applications.

"Our DMU product line is to mechanical vertical gyros what the digital watch was to the mechanical watch," stated John Crawford, Crossbow's Director of Sales. "Our customers with stabilization applications are very excited about the high reliability, the instantaneous power-up, and the high sampling rate of the DMU-VGX." -0-

      Detailed specifications for the DMU-VGX include:
      -- Roll range:  Continuous
      -- Pitch range:  +/- 90 deg.
      -- Roll, pitch angle:  dynamic accuracy:  1 deg. RMS
      -- Roll, pitch angle:  repeatability:  0.1 deg. RMS
      -- Roll, pitch angle:  linearity:  less than 1% of FS
      -- Sampling rate:  150 to 250 Hz
      -- Roll, pitch, yaw angular rate: resolution:  0.05 deg./sec
      -- Operating temperature range:  -40 to 85 deg. C
      -- Shock:  1000 G (1 ms half sine wave)
      -- Vibration:  10 G RMS
      -- RS232 and conditioned analog outputs available
      -- Single 8-30 VDC supply, 250mA max current

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Unique High-Performance Solid-State Gyro Product Line

In 1996, Crossbow Technology introduced the DMU-6, which uses three accelerometers and three angular rate sensors to output inertial acceleration and angular rate measurements with digital output for easy system integration. Crossbow then added on-board angle calculation with the DMU-VG. The DMU-VGX adds sophisticated DSP technology and outputs stabilized pitch and roll in addition to the DMU-6 outputs. Also, the new DMU-VGX functions at more than ten times the speed with four times the resolution of the DMU-VG for time-critical applications.

Pricing and Availability

The DMU-VGX is packaged in an aluminum housing (3" x 3.375" x 3.25") that weighs 475 grams, with custom packages available. The single-unit price is $4000, and it is in production now.

Crossbow Technology, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of cost-effective acceleration, tilt, and related sensors and sensor-based analog and digital subsystems to OEM customers in a variety of industries. Crossbow enhances its commitment to customers by working closely with them to customize its offerings to fit their specific needs. The company, founded in 1995, is located at 41 E. Daggett Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. Telephone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Email: [e-mail]. Visit http://www.xbow.com.

CONTACT: Crossbow Technology, Inc.

John Crawford, 408/324-4833

[e-mail]

or

Paula E. Jones Consulting

Paula E. Jones, 650/967-3711

[e-mail]

or

IPRA

Dick Davies, 415/777-4161

[e-mail]