Product category: Communications ICs (Wireless)
News Release from: Atmel Corporation | Subject: Magellan ARM9 GPS chipset
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 29 September 2006
Chipset cuts GPS system costs
Chipset integrates the world's latest GPS correlation technology with an ARM926EJ-S-based microprocessor.
Atmel Corp and Magellan have developed a new GPS chipset that integrates the world's latest GPS correlation technology with an ARM926EJ-S-based microprocessor This new device includes an extended instruction set with DSP extensions and a rich set of peripherals, designed to simplify the design, and drive down system costs, for the rapidly expanding market for personal navigation devices (PNDs), car navigation, and recreational applications
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 18 Nov 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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The new GPS engine, based on Magellan's GPS technology, boasts capability for the fastest acquisition of satellite signals, with a hot start in less than 2s, and the highest tracking sensitivity (-159dBm) available.
The advanced GPS technology employs the power of tens of thousands of correlators to achieve rapid satellite acquisition and reliable tracking under weak signal conditions.
Rounding out the new chipset introduction, the companion ATR0603 RF receiver IC maximises the performance of the new GPS engine while combining low cost and low power consumption of only 12mA in operation.
Also compatible for use with the new chipset is Atmel's existing ATR0610, a fully integrated, low-noise amplifier manufactured using Atmel's innovative silicon-germanium (SiGe) process to cope with challenging reception environments and enabling cost-sensitive passive-antenna designs.
The ATR0603 and ATR0663 continue Atmel's lead in providing the highest performance GPS solutions in this rapidly expanding market.
The new GPS engine with its massively parallel correlator concept will also be an integral part of Atmel's ongoing extension of its consumer GPS portfolio, developing tailored solutions for key GPS market segments.
"The release of this new RF receiver and ARM926EJ-based device sets a new standard for the combination of high-performance GPS with a complete system processor that has all the peripherals necessary to meet the needs of the growing PND market".
"It is an ideal complement to our automotive-grade Antaris GPS solution", commented Matthias Kaestner, Atmel's Marketing Director for Communications Products.
"Atmel's new hardware is optimised to run Magellan's most powerful software platform to provide PND makers with a complete navigation and mapping solution powered by a single SoC.
PND suppliers can use this hardware and software platform to provide solutions with a customised look and feel for diverse markets", said Mike Mouser, Senior Technical Director for the Magellan OEM Business.
Samples of the ATR0663 (324-pin TFBGA package), the companion ATR0603 (24-pin QFN package), and the ATR0610 LNA (6-pin PLLP package) are available now.
All packages are fully green compliant.
Atmel also offers a complete application development kit that helps to dramatically shorten the design-in cycle time.
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