Product category:
Communications ICs (Wireless)
News Release from: SiGe Semiconductor | Subject: SE8901
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 08 February 2005
GPS receiver chip is optimised for
cellphones
SiGe Semiconductor reckons it has produced the industry's most cost-effective GPS solution to address the performance, size and battery life requirements of cellular phones.
SiGe Semiconductor reckons it has produced the industry's most cost-effective Global Positioning System (GPS) solution to address the performance, size and battery life requirements of cellular phones The SE8901 GPS receiver system is based on an innovative architecture that allows cellular handset manufacturers to fully support new location based services at a price below $5.00 - a savings of about 50% compared with alternative solutions
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 22 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The device is supplied with software that supports a wide range of safety and navigation services without overloading the host processor.
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Equipped with Silent Tracking and other advanced power management features, the SE8901 receiver IC and software ensure that users have immediate access to accurate positioning information without impacting the cellular phone battery life.
The SE8901 will be on display at the 3GSM World Congress from 14th to 17th February in Cannes, France, on Stand F45c, Hall 2.
"The SE8901 provides the best combination of price, size, power consumption and performance", said Jerry Loraine, Chief Technology Officer, SiGe Semiconductor.
"Alternative solutions can address a few of these factors, but not all at once: software-only architectures are small in size, but place a tremendous load on the host processor, whereas silicon-only solutions or modules eliminate the processor load, while compromising size and cost".
The SE8901 receiver IC and software system provides significant advantages over software-based or hardware-only alternatives.
The on-chip GPS accelerator efficiently preprocesses GPS signals to reduce the load on the host processor while providing continuous real-time measurements at signal levels below -185dBW.
Silent Tracking maintains synchronisation with satellite signals to accelerate acquisition and provide position information on demand in even the most challenging environments.
Unlike software-only solutions, the SE8901 positioning system provides continuous tracking in real time, ideal for navigation.
SiGe's new positioning system was designed specifically to meet the requirements of cellular handsets, where the colocated cellular radio can cause interference to the reception of a satellite signal.
The SE8901 overcomes this challenge with techniques that reduce the level of noise accumulated during a cellular transmission.
This allows the GPS to provide continuous navigation, substantially improving the accuracy and performance compared with alternative GPS radios.
The SE8901 also helps to conserve battery life.
With satellite information always on hand, the SE8901 system monitors and applies processing resources appropriate to local conditions, reducing typical power consumption to below 50mW for continuous in-car navigation and well below 1mW when using Silent Tracking.
The integrated architecture minimises external components from the bill of materials, reducing board area to as little as 90mm2, simplifying design and reducing cost.
The SE8901 receiver IC and software is sampling to lead partners now, with general sample availability scheduled for Q3 2005.
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