u-blox news Autumn 2011
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Contents u-blox 6 GPS platform upgraded u-blox’ solution for eCall u-blox GSM module verified eCall and ERA Glonass ready u-blox’ LISA 3G module approved for AT&T’s network LEA-6H compatibility with Russian GLONASS demonstrated LISA and evalkit available online New precision timing chip for 4G LTE femtocells u-blox’ GPS solution for Android u-blox opens second office in China Case study consumer 1: Samsung 3D navigator family Case study consumer 2: Meizu high-definition smartphone for China Case study consumer 3: Enspert e-reader tablet Case study industrial 1: GPS/GSM win at Daviscomms for Personal Tracker
Upcoming events
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u-blox acquires US-based Fusion Wireless New acquisition becomes u-blox’ center of competence for CDMA wireless technology u-blox’ CEO, Thomas Seiler, answers some key questions:
• What was the motivation to invest in Fusion Wireless? “Our global customers who are developing products for the North American market require a choice as to whether their products communicate via GSM, UMTS or CDMA2000 networks. They may also design variants that work with multiple standards. This acquisition completes our portfolio of wireless modems so that we conform to all mobile communications standards used in North America. It also brings us the expertise, intellectual property, and industry relationships in the USA with respect to CDMA2000 technology and mobile service providers.” • What is u-blox’ strategy concerning the acquisition of Fusion Wireless? “This acquistion bolsters our dual-track strategy of providing components for both wireless communications and global positioning, while optimizing the synergies between the two technologies. We are the only semiconductor vendor with this strategy, allowing us to uniquely serve the fast-growing markets for location-based devices in the consumer, automotive and industrial sectors.” • What will happen with the former Fusion Wireless staff? “We will immediatly establish a u-blox CDMA center of competence in San Diego, similar to what we have done with our GSM/UMTS center of competence based in Sgonico, Italy. We will retain all Fusion Wireless staff and integrate them into the u-blox organization, while supporting them with u-blox’ global sales, support, quality and logistics team. • What actual products does the acquisition involve? “We immediately obtain 3 new certified wireless module products that conform to the North American CDMA2000 standard. With CDMA technology in-house, we are now able to develop new variants based on our popular LISA form factor which is already implemented in our GSM and UMTS modules. This will allow our customers to easily design product variants and upgrade their products without changing their hardware designs.” • Which new markets does this acquistion allow u-blox to serve? “All our wireless modules are used in mass market applications requiring mobile connectivity such as mobile Internet, in-car infotainment systems, fleet and asset management, road pricing, vehicle recovery systems, mobile vehicle emergency services, point-of-sales terminals, metering, vending and remote monitoring and control applications. They are also integrated into consumer products such as notebook, tablet computers, eReaders and navigation devices. The new CDMA modules extends our serviceable markets for these applications in North America.” • How does the acquisition make u-blox’ products more attractive to North American customers than your competitors? “Combined with our GPS receiver portfolio, we now provide North American customers with plug-and-play solutions supporting all wireless standards for location-aware products including software, evaluation tools, test environment, support, local presence and expertise located on both the East and West coasts of America. No competitor offers this range and depth of products and support for embedded wireless communications and global positioning” For full details about u-blox’ acquisition of Fusion Wireless, please refer to the press release from September 19, 2011.
u-blox 6 GPS platform upgraded with future-proof features Latest firmware upgrade gives u-blox customers highly valuable benefits The latest upgrade of u-blox 6 gives immediate, cost-free benefits to customers and strengthens u-blox’ competitiveness
u-blox announces the upgrade of its latest receiver platform u-blox 6. The upgrade gives customers access to many new features and benefits such as improved sensitivity, significantly lower power consumption, improved anti-jamming performance, jamming detection and shorter Time To First Fix (TTFF). Together with many other innovative features, u-blox 6 sets the pace as one of the most advanced GPS receiver technologies available. Most importantly the new firmware delivers an improved tracking sensitivity down to -162 dBm with enhanced acquisition and re-acquisition sensitivity making u-blox 6 one of the most sensitive receivers on the market. GPS can now deliver position-
ing information in deep indoor situations as never before. Other new features include AssistNow Autonomous, a cost-free embedded feature similar to Assisted-GPS without the need for a host or external network connection. The concept reduces time-to-first-fix by capitalizing on the periodic nature of GPS satellites, allowing the GPS receiver to autonomously predict satellite positions based on previously captured ephemeris. An innovative and intelligent power management technique has also been implemented allowing the receiver to independently power-down unnecessary circuitry when not needed while maintaining GPS performance levels. The result is an unprecedented power savings of more than 50% in weak signal environment compared to previous firmware. Not only has u-blox’ industry leading anti-jamming technology been improved, another very interesting feature “Jamming
Detection” has been introduced. This feature gives the GPS receiver the ability to detect the possible presence of GPS jammers. This can add a significant level of security and robustness, for example when dealing with vehicle theft. Security systems can use this feature to activate an alarm or alert signal, or initiates a backup positioning system such as one based on GSM cellular positioning. Another new feature is the support of the RTCM protocol (“Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services”), allowing receivers to increase positional accuracy in maritime applications using differential correctional data received by RTCM beacons. For more information, we provide these two reference documents: • u-blox 6 Firmware 7 release notes • Whitepaper: u-blox 6 GPS receivers enhanced with many new features
u-blox’ solution for European eCall u-blox develops end-to-end eCall test environment interface, embedded TCP/IP stack, embedded assisted GPS (“AssistNow”) client, embedded dead-reckoning, in-band modem, firmware update over-the-air, automotive grade components, and an end-to-end eCall test environment.
A European initiative to combine GSM and GPS for vehicle emergency services is eCall, a project by the European Commission to provide rapid assistance to motorists involved in a collision anywhere in the European Union. The system is officially defined as a “Pan-European automatic in-vehicle emergency call system”. The service, which is planned for initial implementation in 2014, is backed by numerous car, truck and bus manufacturers and the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). The system will monitor in-vehicle sensors for such events as airbag deployment to automatically transmit location details and summon assistance via GSM emergency cellular service “112”, the universal emerPage 2 | u-blox news
gency services number adopted throughout the European Union and Switzerland. When activated, the in-vehicle eCall system (IVS) automatically initiates an emergency call carrying both voice and data (including GPS location data) directly to the nearest 112 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to determine whether rescue services should be dispatched to the known position. The u-blox eCall solution With deep knowledge in both GPS and GSM, eCall is a perfect application of u-blox’ converged technologies. As the only provider of embedded GPS and GSM modules, u-blox’ eCall solution provides many features that optimize the interoperation of GPS and GSM subsystems: a common host
With the imminent deployment of European eCall in 2014, development of In-vehicle eCall Systems (IVS) is in full swing. The correct choice of components will have a large affect on time-to-market. Important factors to consider are the possibility to verify IVS designs before eCall is deployed, the ability to support design-in requirements of closely-coupled GPS and GSM subsystems, comprehensive software support, component-level certification of the GSM modem, forward compatibility with future wireless technologies, and the availability of automotive-grade GPS and GSM components in high-volume. For detailed information about u-blox’ solution for eCall, as well as our end-to-end eCall test environment, please download the whitepaper (PDF) “u-blox’ Solution for European eCall”.
u-blox GSM module verified eCall and ERA Glonass ready by Rohde & Schwarz LEON wireless modem passes comprehensive test of in-band modem The European eCall system for automated accident assistance is planned for deployment across the EU by 2014
u-blox and Rohde & Schwarz, a worldwide leading supplier of test and measurement equipment, have successfully concluded tests of u-blox’ LEON GSM modem for eCall / ERA Glonass readiness. eCall and ERA Glonass are a EU and Russian initiatives to capitalize on GSM and GPS technologies for vehicle emergency response service. The projects are indepen-
dently led by the European Commission and the Russian government to provide rapid assistance to motorists involved in a collision anywhere in the European Union and Russia. The positive results of the tests conducted by Rohde & Schwarz validated LEON’s in-band modem capabilities, a crucial requirement to support vehicle-mounted eCall / ERA Glonass equipment. To test LEON, a comprehensive in-band modem test environment based on the Radio Communication Tester R&S CMU200 was implemented, and a PC running a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) simulator (R&S CMU-K94) according to TS 26.268 was used. The results were
100% successful. The core functionality of eCall / ERA Glonass requires an embedded computer that continuously monitors crash sensors and GPS receiver in order to initiate an automated data and voice call via a dedicated GSM modem in case of an emergency condition. A key requirement for eCall is that both data and voice call must utilize the same physical voice channel because SMS and GPRS do not provide the necessary service priority or availability. eCall and ERA Glonass are planned for initial implementation in 2014, and is backed by numerous car, truck and bus manufacturers and the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).
u-blox’ LISA, the smallest 3G surface-mount module, is approved for AT&T’s network LISA UMTS/HSPA modem now supported by nation’s fastest mobile broadband provider
u-blox’ LISA 3G module approved by AT&T
AT&T has approved LISA, the world’s smallest surface-mount 3G module for use on AT&T’s mobile broadband network. LISA is targeted for use in M2M, telematics, and other mobile devices for a wide variety of
applications such as fleet management, emergency call, Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), asset tracking, security systems and remote metering. LISA also includes u-blox’ proprietary CellLocateTM technology which supports geographical positioning in areas where GPS is not possible such as in underground parking garages or tunnels. The AT&T approval is in addition to other industry approvals obtained by LISA including the FCC, IC (Canada), PTCRB, and R&TTE.
The LISA 3G modem family is available in leadless chip carrier (LCC) surface mount technology to significantly reduce manufacturing costs, improve customer yields and increase reliability and operational longevity. For more information about LISA, please visit our website at www.u-blox.com/wireless-modules or contact your nearest u-blox sales representative.
Compatibility with Russian GNSS satellite system based on LEA-6H GPS module
u-blox successfully demonstrated an enhanced LEA-6H GPS module that supports the Russian GLONASS satellite positioning system. GLONASS is an alternative as well Page 3 | u-blox news
as complementary system to the US-based Global Positioning System (GPS). It currently has 22 deployed satellites, with the complete constellation of 24 satellites needed for complete global coverage scheduled for end 2011.
the Russian Ministry of Transport. Additionally, next generation navigation systems that implement both GPS and GLONASS receivers will be able to provide a higher level of performance for positioning systems worldwide.
GLONASS based navigation systems will soon be required to be used by all vehicles transporting passengers, large volumes, or hazardous materials in Russia, according to
First customer samples of the u-blox GPS/ GLONASS receiver module are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2011.
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LISA samples and evaluation kits available on the u-blox online shop 3.75G modem module and evaluation kits purchasable online To make your embedded UMTS/HSPA designs run smoothly, u-blox now provides LISA 3.75G samples and eval kits EVK-U12 and EVK-U13. The kits provide simple, flexible and ready-to-use environments for evaluating u-blox’ LISA 3.75G wireless modules, as well as for designing and testing of wireless/GPS telematics applications. The kits are very user-friendly, and have both USB and RS232 interfaces for development, testing and tracing. The kits are designed to support region-specific frequency standards:
Module
Supported UMTS Frequency bands (MHz) II
1900
Supported Region North America and South America
LISA-U100, V 850 LISA-U120, Eval kit EVK-U12
Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, the USA, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic (Claro), Venezuela, other parts of South America, Israel (Pelephone), parts of Asia (ITU Region 2 and ITU Region 3), Poland
I 2100 LISA-U110, LISA-U130, Eval kit EVK-U13 VIII 900
Europe, India, Africa, Israel, Asia, Australia (all carriers’ metropolitan networks), New Zealand (ITU Region 1) and Brazil Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Venezuela
Ordering information:
The kits come with a built-in u-blox GPS receiver module, giving designers the flexibility to either test GSM/GPRS functionality alone or to integrate it together with u-blox GPS technology. For evaluating Assisted-GPS (A-GPS) a u-blox AssistNow A-GPS client is embedded in the firmware stack, providing users with the option of integrating and testing our license-free A-GPS solutions.
EVK-U12-00S: u-blox 3.75G evaluation kit for LISA-U100 and LISA-U120 EVK-U13-00S: u-blox 3.75G evaluation kit for LISA-U110 and LISA-U130 LISA-U110 UMTS/HSPA 900/2100MHz module: LISA-U110-00S LISA-U100 UMTS/HSPA 850/1900MHz module: LISA-U100-00S Purchase online: http://www.u-blox.com/en/online-shop.html Further information: Product Summary, EVK-U12/U13 evaluation kit: getting started
u-blox introduces precision timing chip for 4G LTE femtocells Ultra-sensitive single-chip delivers precise time and positional accuracy at low cost UBX-G6010-ST-TM is designed for femtocell systems requiring low-cost precision time information down to 15 nanosecond accuracy
u-blox announces the immediate availability of the UBX-G6010-ST-TM, a precision timing single-chip based on GPS technology with extreme acquisition sensitivity. It is designed for high-volume applications requiring lowcost precision timing with accuracy down to 15 nanoseconds such as femtocell basestations delivering 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution), CDMA and WiMAX services. Femtocell technology is attractive to telecom service providers as it allows them to deliver mobile communications services via the InterPage 4 | u-blox news
net, for example ADSL or cable. The service is then distributed wirelessly to users in localized areas such as home or office via small femtocell basestations. This approach lowers the cost of serving consumers by eliminating the requirement for large, expensive cellular basestations. The technology also extends mobile phone coverage to remote or weak signal strength areas while improving battery life and voice quality. It also eliminates the requirement for redundant cordless phones and additional telephone number in the home or office. Available in a miniature 8 x 8 mm MicroLeadFrame (MLF) package, the chip delivers two precision time pulse outputs at up to 10 MHz frequency, plus complete GPS satellite
raw data. The chip is able to operate with only one GPS satellite visible (“single-satellite tracking”). The unbelievable timing accuracy of 15 nanoseconds is achieved using the built-in quantization error compensation. Additionally, an integrated time mark and counter unit can provide precise time measurement of external events. The chip is qualified according to AEC-Q100, and is manufactured at ISO/TS 16949 certified facilities. It is guaranteed to operate from –40°C to 85°C. For more information, visit the u-blox product page or contact u-blox.
u-blox’ GPS solution for Android GPS solutions for Android includes u-center Android evaluation App
u-blox has developed a GPS Android solution which enables customers to easily integrate and evaluate GPS functionality in Android-based end products. The solution includes A-GPS capabilities for high performance GPS as well as Terminal and Network based positioning on mobile operator networks.
u-blox Android GPS Solution is available free of charge. The royalty-free GPS hardware driver library is licensed for reuse in customer products and available upon request.
The u-blox Android evaluation App, which is part of the Android Solution, is a standalone application for evaluating the performance of the embedded GPS receiver in Android devices (u-blox receivers and others). It is free of charge and can be downloaded directly from the Android Market online shop.
u-blox opens second office in China Shenzhen-based office to serve one of China’s largest high-tech centers u-blox opened its second office in China located in Shenzhen, a vibrant manufacturing and high-tech hub serving the global markets. Shenzhen has become a major engine of high-tech design and manufacturing, and is home to some of China’s most prominent technology companies. With the wide-spread integration of GPS and wireless communications in consumer, industrial and automotive products, the new office will allow u-blox to keep our
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largest and most innovative customers in the South China region better informed about our products. This new office is in addition to the first u-blox China office located in Beijing. In total, u-blox has established 6 offices in Asia, with additional offices in Tokyo, Japan, Taipei, Taiwan, Seoul, Korea and Asia Pacific Head office located in Singapore. For a complete list of u-blox worldwide offices and authorized distributor partners, visit our website contact page.
The new u-blox office is located at: u-blox China Shenzhen Representative Office Suite 511, East Tower, Coastal Building, The 3rd Haide Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518054 China Tel: +86 755 8627 1083 Fax: +86 755 8629 0657
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Case study consumer 1: u-blox GPS chip selected for Samsung 3D navigator family Award-winning SEN series combines navigation, communication and entertainment Samsung’s SEN-410 with integrated u-blox GPS technology sets the standard for high-performance, user-friendly navigation and infotainment
u-blox’ latest-generation GPS chip UBXG6010-ST has been chosen for the entire line of the award-winning Samsung SEN car navigation devices. This includes the
SEN-410, Samsung’s most sophisticated multimedia navigator with 3D display and high-definition 7-inch touchscreen.
gesture recognition for menu commands, text-to speech feature, and free automatic software upgrade for life.
The latest line of Samsung navigation devices include Korea’s first 3 dimensional aerial visualization of routes including 3D buildings and geographical features, realtime traffic information, music and video player, Bluetooth mobile phone interface,
The u-blox 6 GPS chip was selected based on size, sensitivity, and performance. For more information about u-blox’ family of GPS chips, visit the product webpage.
Case study consumer 2: Meizu high-definition smartphone for China includes u-blox GPS Slim, feature-rich M9 Android phone delivers powerful multimedia features u-blox’ ultrasensitive GPS chip UBX-G6010-ST is at the heart of Meizu’s latest M9 multimedia smartphone with GPS
u-blox’ ultra-sensitive GPS chip UBXG6010-ST is at the heart of Meizu’s latest M9 multimedia smartphone with GPS. Developed for the Chinese market, the M9 boasts a long list of attractive features including 3.54-inch high-resolution
display with 16 million colors, multi-touch support, web browser, camera, HD media player, and 3D games.
including chip size, sensitivity, quality, bill of materials, technical support, standalone and assisted-GPS operation.
It also includes out-of-the-box GPS features such as navigator, digital compass, and accelerometer. A vast library of location-based Apps can be downloaded via Google’s online Android Market. Meizu has quickly established itself as an innovation leader for smartphone design in China, Meizu’s choice of our u-blox 6 GPS chip was based on vital design criteria
The Meizu M9 is available at dedicated stores throughout China, and has already met with huge success. For more information about the Meizu M9, visit the M9 webpage. For more information about u-blox’ family of GPS chips, visit the product webpage.
Case study consumer 3: Enspert selects u-blox GPS for advanced multimedia e-reader tablet IDENTITY Android tablets depend on AMY-6M GPS module for location awareness Enspert’s IDENTITY e-reader Tablets integrate u-blox GPS for navigation and location-based services
Enspert, a leading media convergence solution and device provider, has selected u-blox as its GPS technology provider for its 2011 IDENTITY product line featuring a series of affordable Android-based multimedia tablets.
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The IDENTITY tab is an innovative media and productivity device for education and entertainment, delivering color LCD e-book reader capabilities along with HD-quality video playback and Web browsing. The IDENTITY tab E201 and E301 are Wi-Fi enabled, and the Wi-Fi and 3G-enabled E303 will be available shortly after. All three tablets provide full GPS navigation capabilities via an embedded AMY-6M GPS module from u-blox, the smallest stand-alone GPS receiver module in the industry.
In addition to the IDENTITY tab collection, the 2011 IDENTITY line features an ecosystem of smart connected devices that leverage the open-source Android operating system including smartphones, multidevice media convergence hubs, VoIP and SoIP systems, mobile hotspots and more.
Case study industrial 1: u-blox scores dual GPS/GSM win at Daviscomms for Personal Tracker EaziTRAC 2000 tracker and emergency alert targeted at professionals and consumers Daviscomms chose u-blox GPS and GSM modules for their EasiTRAC 2000 Personal Tracker
u-blox has been chosen for global positioning and GSM wireless technologies by Singapore-based Daviscomms, an established OEM/ODM provider of advanced personal tracking devices. The EaziTRAC 2000 personal tracker integrates u-blox’ LEON GSM and AMY GPS modules.
The EaziTRAC 2000 is a pocket-size Personal Tracking and Emergency Alert Device targeted for civil defence, fire and police forces as well as for mass markets such as employees, hikers, children and the elderly where personnel safety, security and recovery is critical. The EaziTRAC 2000 allows the device or user to be tracked or located on demand via SMS or Internet. It can also communicate via GPRS data, GSM voice (inbound and fixed outbound voice calls), and the
POCSAG paging network. There is also a digital input and output port to communicate with other peripheral devices, and motion detector. It also supports remote Over-the-Air (OTA) device configuration. For more information about u-blox’ family of wireless modems and GPS receivers visit www.u-blox.com For more information about Daviscomms products, visit www.daviscomms.com.sg
Upcoming events Meet u-blox at the following events:
Metering Europe 2011 Rai Convention Center Date: 4. - 6. October 2011 Place: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Stand: u-blox G82 To set up a meeting in advance, please contact: info@u-blox.com
CEATEC 2011 Japan IT & Electronics Exhibition Date: 4. - 8. October 2011 Place: Tokyo, Japan Stand: u-blox To set up a meeting in advance, please contact: info_jp@u-blox.com
CTIA 2011 San Diego IT Enterprise and application exhibition Date: 11. - 13. October 2011 Place: San Diego, USA Stand: u-blox 447 in the M2M zone To set up a meeting in advance, please contact: info_us@u-blox.com
sMove 360° 2011 Trade fair for Smart Car Communications Date: 18. - 20. October 2011 Place: Munich, Germany Stand: u-blox A5 - 520 To set up a meeting in advance, please contact: info@u-blox.com
ITN Expo 2011 Infrastructur, Telematics & Navigation Date: 16. - 18. November 2011 Place: Torino, Italy Stand: u-blox A057 To set up a meeting in advance, please contact: info@u-blox.com
2011 赞助手册 Telematics@China Conference 2011 Date: 7. - 9. December 2011 Place: Shanghai, China Stand: u-blox To set up a meeting in advance, please contact: info_cn@u-blox.com
Imprint: Publisher / Copyright: September 2011 u-blox AG, Thalwil, Switzerland.
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