Copernicus ultra-thin GPS module from Trimble
Trimble introduced its new Copernicus(TM) GPS receiver — a thumbnail-sized, s
urface-mount, low power module ideal for adding Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities to Bluetooth appliances, sport accessories, personal navigators or cameras, computer and communication peripherals as well as vehicle tracking, navigation, and security products. With major advancements in performance, sensitivity and startup times, the Copernicus GPS module enables system integrators to easily add GPS capability to a mobile device with minimal impact on its size or battery life at a very economical price.
Ricoh and GlobalSat embed GPS data into digital images
Ricoh Corporation, a leader in specialized digital imaging solutions, and GlobalSat Inc., an industry leader in GPS technology, today announced a strategic relationship to provide unprecedented GPS accuracy of geo-coded digital images. GlobalSat’s BC-337 is a highly portable CompactFlash GPS Receiver, which utilizes SiRF’s Star III low-power chipset. When combined with Ricoh’s GPS-Ready Pro G3 Digital Camera, high-resolution images are embedded with precise GPS coordinates.
Prior to this agreement, the Ricoh Pro G3 camera supported a variety of GPS cards that were based on older and more cumbersome GPS technology. As position accuracy is critical to most enterprise customers, many opted to utilize the camera with expensive and bulky survey-grade GPS equipment to achieve their accuracy requirements. The integration of the Star III technology into the GlobalSat BC-337 CompactFlash GPS Receiver card provides these accuracy requirements in a more compact, portable, and cost-effective manner.
FineDrive 400 will use WindSpring Micro Data Format
WindSpring, a data miniaturization innovator, today announced that Fine Digital USA, has licensed the patented WindSpring technology for integration into its FineDrive 400 personal navigation devices (PNDs). WindSpring technology will improve mapping application performance and enable Fine Digital to reduce the overall cost of devices for consumers.
WindSpring’s patented Data Miniaturization Technology (DMT(TM)) shrinks and transforms large mapping and data files into a Micro Data Format (MDF(TM)). The MDF format allows the data files to retain all original data performance attributes while enabling high-speed access and full manipulation of data, including high-speed seek, search, edit and display in the miniaturized state. In addition, MDF is uniquely suited for space-constrained applications such as GPS Navigation, where large amounts of data can slow system performance and data access.
Photo-quality 3D navigation system from Siemens VDO
Siemens VDO is taking automotive navigation to a new dimension. To make orientation even easier for drivers, the company has developed a three-dimensional, state-of-the-art photo-quality map display. With detailed, true-to-life imaging, hundreds of digitally integrated orientation points and realistic simulations of whole city neighborhoods, drivers should be able find their way to their destinations through even complicated intersections and unfamiliar urban areas more easily, more relaxedly, and above all more safely in the future. Development of this three-dimensional navigation system is already at an advanced stage so mass production will be possible starting in 2007. It is based on the open, freely scalable system platform TLA (Top Level Architecture).
Announced world’s first E-GPS GSM Handset
CPS, SiGe Semiconductor and Shanghai Simcom (“Simcom”), a wholly owned subsidiary of SIM Technology Group Limited, today announced the world’s first Enhanced GPS (E-GPS) multimedia handset solution for GSM. The S788 handset solution, designed by Simcom, is a lightweight, palm-sized device delivering advanced multimedia features including high accuracy location based services (LBS), while optimizing performance, cost and battery life.
The S788 multimedia handset solution offers an MP3/MPEG4 player, touchscreen, and two megapixel camera in a slim, lightweight case.
NordNav E5000 embedded software receivers for Mobile GPS positioning
NordNav today announced the full commercial release of its NordNav E5000 embedded software receivers for Mobile GPS Positioning at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
NordNav’s E5000 Mobile Solution can be easily embedded into most portable processors and reference design platforms including ARM9, Texas Instruments OMAP and Intel XSCALE. By taking advantage of existing processing power, NordNav’s solution saves space and requires substantially smaller footprint in the host device. The highly effective acquisition engine also provides faster time to first fix than the typical hardware GPS receiver, resulting in a greatly enhanced user experience.
