Crossbow Technology has released its MICAz OEM Edition module which makes it more economic for original equipment manufacturers to develop enterprise-class wireless sensor systems. The MICAz OEM edition is the result of engagements with OEM customers and their deployments of Crossbow wireless sensor systems in applications including environmental and industrial monitoring. The module's size of a postage stamp makes it easy to integrate in high volume OEM designs with wireless mesh networking capabilities.

The MICAz OEM Edition provides optimized radio/processor integration for superior wireless link capabilities to enable reliable, industrial strength, low power wireless networks. Its 2.4 GHz radio is IEEE 802.15.4 compliant with 250 kps data rate and supports the design of ZigBee compliant devices. The integrated sensor board hardware interface allows flexible sensor integration for customized, differentiated sensor nodes.

The MICAz OEM Edition comes pre-loaded with Crossbow's wireless sensor software stack, including support for analog I/O, digital I/O, UART, and SPI signals. The network stack allows configuration for different network topologies, including star, hybrid and Crossbow's unique TrueMesh topology. The TrueMesh network configuration supports a completely battery powered, highly reliable sensor network through elimination of single points of failure throughout the network.

"The wireless sensor and M2M technologies market is still emerging and many different pieces need to be integrated to realize the promise of this exciting technology" said George West of West Technology Research Solutions. "The MICAz OEM Edition delivers the level of integration required to reduce the complexities of developing wireless sensor network solutions with true business value. It accelerates the availability of new and innovative wireless sensor applications."

Crossbow also announced increased customer deployments incorporating its wireless mesh network technologies. British Petroleum is in the process of installing a wireless vibration monitoring system inside an oil tanker to reduce operational cost. Weyerhauser deploys a Crossbow system for wireless soil and moisture monitoring to optimize irrigation and increase seed germination rate.

"The ability to deliver return on investment is key for the broad adoption of wireless sensor network technology," said Mike Horton of Crossbow Technology. "The MICAz OEM Edition allows us to support the development and deployment of wireless sensor network solutions faster and at a lower cost."

Crossbow Technology supplies end-to-end wireless sensor network solutions.