New approach runs GPS on cellular baseband

Philips has released its first indoor-capable assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS) technology for implementation into cellular phones, PDAs and other mobile applications.

Philips has released its first indoor-capable assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS) technology for implementation into cellular phones, PDAs and other mobile applications.

Philips' A-GPS solution reduces the total bill of material (BOM) costs for handset manufacturers by a factor of two to three compared with currently available competitive solutions.

On the network side, implementation of the technology requires only minimal investments.

As a result, mobile handset users will ultimately benefit from the convenience and safety of accurate and widespread location-based services.

Philips' A-GPS semiconductor technology will allow operators to launch location-based services on a broad scale for increased average revenue per user (ARPU).

A-GPS mobile positioning technology offers not only lower cost, but also higher accuracy compared with other positioning technologies, such as Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD) and Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) that are currently being used in North America for enhanced 911 (E911) services.

Worldwide, A-GPS technology will be applied to support the growth of commercial location-based services such as locating restaurants, banks and public buildings, tracking disabled persons and missing children, as well as other commercial emergency services.

"Because it is largely implemented in software, Philips is providing a very flexible A-GPS solution that fulfils the specific needs and demands of our customers", said Ton van Kampen, Business Development Manager for business unit mobile communications at Philips Semiconductors.

"As an established leader in RF and an innovator in the mobile communications industry, Philips is providing a very cost-effective, low power and high performance mobile positioning semiconductor solution that reinforces Philips' commitment to offer enabling technologies for a world where everyone can always connect to information, entertainment and services".

Philips' A-GPS solution is based on the company's established GPS research and patented technologies proven over the past decade, which has yielded algorithms that can operate indoors and can be applied economically within software.

This expertise, combined with Philips' Nexperia cellular multimedia baseband processor, makes it possible to implement A-GPS processing on the cellular baseband, eliminating the need for a separate GPS baseband processor.

Philips' solution also includes a fully compatible GPS front-end UAF1572H, the industry's first GPS front-end IC that does not need any external SAW filter.

This high integration leads to further cost reduction as well as size optimisation.

Philips' A-GPS solution also meets the low power requirements of mobile handsets and other mobile applications, as it is fabricated in the latest advanced silicon on insulator process technology.

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