» MASS MARKET OEM

Two “Smallest Ever” Modules Released

Two companies released in October what they claimed was the smallest GPS front-end module made to date.

TriQuint Semiconductor of Hillsboro, Oregon, unveiled its integrated RF front-end module for GPS-based navigation systems on October 13. It combines filter and low noise amplifier (LNA) functions in what it claimed then was the smallest package on the market at 3 2 3 millimeters.

Triquint's module

Two days later, Infineon Technologies AG of Neubiberg, Germany, introduced its GPS front-end module. The BGM681L11 measures 2.5 2 2.5 2 0.6 millimeters and takes up 3.75 cubic
millimeters.

TriQuint said that it engineered the TQM640002 module in consultation with several GPS and PND manufacturers, including GPS chipmaker SiRF Technology. The module is designed for new wireless handset applications as well as mobile and automotive designs. The TQM640002 is sampling now.

The TQM640002 includes TriQuint’s smallest two-in-one surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter and can operate with either 1.8 or 2.8 supply voltages. The module’s filters provide rejection superior to other devices on the market, according to the company.

The TQM640002 also offers zero matching, a plug-and-play approach that simplifies both design and manufacturing of GPS-enabled devices. The fact that there are no matching components results in additional space on the board, the company said.

Infineon’s GPS Receive Front-End Module BGM681L11 incorporates Infineon’s GPS LNA chip and two integrated filters, an input and output filter, each with high elctrostatic discharge ruggedness, Infineon said. The GPS LNA chip is also available as a stand-alone device, BGA615L7, based on silicon germanium (SiGe) process technology.

According to Infineon, the main challenges for the growing mobile GPS market are to achieve higher sensitivity and higher immunity against interference of cellular signals. This means that LNAs and filters are becoming indispensable components for the GPS receive front-end line-up. As more and more features are added to new generations of high-end mobile phones, PCB space
becomes the main limiting factor, so front-end modules of small size are highly desirable.

TriQuint says it has shipped more than 130 million filters to global GPS manufacturers, while Infineon says it has shipped more than 70 million units of its BGA615L7 chip to the GPS market.

» MASS MARKET OEM

Trade Commission to Review SiRF/Broadcom Ruling

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) said October 10 that it will review the determination of one of its administrative law judges that previously found that SiRF Technology Holdings, Inc., infringed on patents held by Broadcom subsidiary Global Locate.

The ITC judge ruled in August that certain SiRF products, including SiRFstarIII and SiRFInstant GPS architectures, infringed upon six Global Locate/Broadcom patents; the judge later recommended to
the ITC that it issue a ban on the import of related SiRF chips into the United States.

Both SiRF and ITC staff filed appeals independently of one another seeking a review of the ruling. Now, the ITC has said it will review claims on three out of the six patents, according to SiRF.

The final ITC ruling, scheduled for December 2008, is further subject to a 60-day presidential review period and can then be appealed to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.

SiRF, Qualcomm. SiRF and Qualcomm seem to want to avoid the legal snafu in which SiRF and Broadcom are currently embroiled. SiRF announced that it and Qualcomm have signed a mutual Patent Non-Assertion Agreement covering each party’s patent portfolio.

“We believe that this agreement between leading innovators of A-GPS enabled location technology will help expand the market for location-enabled products, services and content, while enabling each of us to compete in the marketplace based on product merits,” said Kanwar Chadha, SiRF founder and vice president of marketing.

SiRFlinkIII. In the meantime, SiRF took the wraps off its SiRFlinkIII, a single chip that combines a GPS RF front end with a Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR controller. The SiRFlinkIII chip combines a GPS RF front end with a Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR controller, representing the third part of a three-prong approach to addressing the current market for consumer GPS technology, said Chadha.

» TRANSPORTATION

Motorola Rolls Out In-Vehicle Computer

Motorola Inc. has rolled out an in-vehicle, fixed-mount mobile computer that provides both GPS-based asset tracking and vehicle monitoring, as well as navigation and other location-based services. The VC6096 provides asset visibility needed to support real-time location-based applications from directions for drivers to fleet location for dispatchers. The device can also provide simultaneous voice and data connections via 3.5G wide-area network connectivity on a GSM network as well as a Wi-Fi connection.

The VC6096 is designed to improve the safety and lifecycle of vehicle fleets with integrated SAE J1708 and SAE J1939 telematics support, which enables automatic monitoring and collection of engine operation data.

The VC6096 is built around a SiRFstarIII GSC3ef/LP GPS chipset.

» AVIONICS & TRANSPORTATION

Northrop Grumman Gets U.S., Euro Aviation Approval

The LCR-100 Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) developed by Northrop Grumman Corp.’s German navigation systems subsidiary, Northrop Grumman LITEF GmbH, has achieved certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Several business aircraft, regional jets, and helicopters certified for instrument flight rules are included in this certification.

The LCR-100 provides precise navigation information on aircraft position, heading, and attitude, according to Northrop Grumman. The new AHRS consists of an attitude heading reference unit, which accepts GPS position and velocity data, a calibration programmable read-only memory device, and a mounting tray.

The LCR-100 features gyro-compassing. Typically found in standard inertial reference systems, this capability enables the unit to establish precise heading within moments, without the use of a magnetic flux valve or magnetometer. The LCR-100’s hybrid navigation mode permits the aircraft to navigate when GPS data is not available. The unit can support search and rescue operations as well, according to the company.

» IN MEMORIAM

NATALE PETER RAIMONDO died in Salt Lake City on October 3 at the age of 71.

“Nat was very active in Transit and GPS in the old days at Magnavox,” said Len Jacobsen, president of Global Systems and Marketing, Inc. “I brought him into L-3 Communications Interstate Electronics Corporation to replace me as director of GPS Business Development when I was promoted to vice president. He was well known in the range applications community and in marine survey.”

Born in Philadelphia, Raimondo and earned his bachelor and master’s degrees in engineering at Drexel University.