Background

McCauley has authored research papers in the field of artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...

 and mathematical modeling of AI-based systems. His inventions, patents, and intellectual property span multiple technologies. He is one of the authors and originators of the Universal Serial Bus (USB)

Universal Serial Bus

USB is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors and protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices....

 specification, and is an expert in Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)

Microelectromechanical systems

Microelectromechanical systems is the technology of very small mechanical devices driven by electricity; it merges at the nano-scale into nanoelectromechanical systems and nanotechnology...

.

As architect and research head for RedOctane

RedOctane

RedOctane was an American electronic entertainment company perhaps best known for producing the Guitar Hero series beginning in November 2005. RedOctane became a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision in 2006...

, he was a key contributor to the Guitar Hero

Guitar Hero

Guitar Hero is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems and published by RedOctane for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It is the first entry in the Guitar Hero series. Guitar Hero was released on November 8, 2005 in North America, April 7, 2006 in Europe and June 15, 2006 in...

 game series and the chief engineer and designer. He designed the electronics for the Guitar Hero Guitars and the Guitar Hero drum controller, which formed the basis for all subsequent Guitar Hero versions. Through his development work on Guitar Hero and work for Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...

 and others, he is a key figure in incorporating MEMS technology into video games.

Education

McCauley attend the University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...

 on a full scholarship from the Information Assurance Scholarship Program (ISAP), awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense

United States Department of Defense

The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...

 and the National Security Agency

National Security Agency

The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...

. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 1984.