Atmel And u-Blox Provide New Indoor-Capable GPS Signal Tracking Technology

HEILBRONN, Germany, June 15 (SPX) -- Atmel and u-blox announced Tuesday the availability of a new GPS weak signal tracking technology, called SuperSense, supporting Atmel's Antaris GPS chipsets and GPS modules from u-blox.

With this new GPS software, accurate GPS navigation becomes possible in building interiors, deep urban canyons, covered roads and other locations where GPS reception has previously been impossible.

Previously such areas prevented effective GPS navigation due to systems' inability to effectively receive faint GPS tracking signals.

SuperSense targets mass-market, automotive and handheld, FCC E-911 Phase II-compliant GPS product applications. Of particular benefit is the high sensitive dynamic navigation performance of existing and future Antaris-based chipsets from Atmel and modules from u-blox.

Because of Antaris SuperSense-based products' sensitivity, antennas can be moved to a vehicle's interior, allowing products with integrated antennas mounted in glove compartments and under seats, thus reducing automotive GPS installation costs when compared with systems requiring a separate, external antenna.

The Antaris GPS engine, jointly developed by Atmel and u-blox, is also ideal for indoor GPS reception. The 16-channel Antaris features 8,192 simultaneously operating time/frequency search windows.

This substantially improves acquisition sensitivity for stand-alone and A-GPS operation, enabling satellite search and position calculation in previously GPS-dead areas.

SuperSense combines superior tracking sensitivity beyond -158 dBm, low power consumption and high navigation performance. It is available as beta release when purchasing the SuperSense Evalkit or the TIM-LH GPS module.

It will support the complete Antaris GPS portfolio from Atmel as well as TIM-LH modules from u-blox.

The Atmel Antaris chipset (ATR0600, ATR0610, ATR0620) uses external Flash memory to control u-blox's SuperSense.

The complete GPS electronics module provides exceptional tracking of weak signals and can be integrated into a single platform applicable to multiple products thus eliminating redesign of critical RF electronics.

"The arrival of SuperSense adds a new dimension of competitiveness to our Antaris GPS solutions," said Uwe Barthelmes, Atmel's marketing director for communications products. "It's another example of the excellent cooperation between Atmel and u-blox."

"Since its introduction last year, SuperSense continues providing superior GPS sensitivity to our customers products," adds u-blox CEO Thomas Seiler."

"We are pleased to deliver leading GPS positioning technology to the market. We are glad that we partner so successfully with Atmel."

For more information about the Antaris Chipset, please contact Atmel. For further information on TIM-LH GPS modules and SuperSense, please contact u-blox.

Related stories:

New tracking system boosts pilot safety
Pilots will no longer be out of sight as they fly cross-country thanks to a new tracking system developed by Massey University mechatronics graduate and a former staff member.
Ski Faster with Camera-less Fusion Motion Capture
Professional skiers can now learn how to ski faster with the aid of a new system used to capture 3D motion of athletic movements – Fusion Motion Capture (FMC). Featured in Wiley-Blackwell’s journal, Sports Technology, this is the first time the study of FMC has been published in a journal.
EU opens bidding for Galileo satnav network
The European Commission invited bids on Tuesday for contractors to participate in the construction of the European Union's much delayed Galileo satellite navigation network.
China Mobile says main hurdle in Apple iPhone talks cleared
China Mobile said Friday the main obstacle keeping iPhone out of the world's largest mobile phone market had been cleared now that Apple has dropped its revenue-sharing demands.
Cluster listens to the sounds of Earth
The first thing an alien race is likely to hear from Earth is chirps and whistles, a bit like R2-D2, the robot from Star Wars. In reality, they are the sounds that accompany the aurora. Now ESA's Cluster mission is showing scientists how to understand this emission and, in the future, search for alien worlds by listening for their sounds.
New cardiovascular score developed to improve heart attack and stroke detection
A new and more accurate method of assessing people at risk from cardiovascular disease (CVD) is set to improve national diagnosis rates and identify those at risk among black and minority ethnic groups.
Computer Science Professor’s Breakthrough Maps the Cool Quest
Like a Doppler weather map with red blotches tracking the paths of major storms, a new tracking software service co-developed by Columbia University computer science professor Tony Jebara instantly shows people where the hottest clubs or hangouts are, in real time.
Experimental phone network uses virtual sticky notes
The rapid convergence of social networks, mobile phones and global positioning technology has given Duke University engineers the ability to create something they call "virtual sticky notes," site-specific messages that people can leave for others to pick up on their mobile phones.

News discussion:

Technology news