Product category: Antennas and Feeders
News Release from: Sarantel | Subject: GeoHelix
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 23 December 2005
Antenna simplifies GPS integration
Parrot is using Sarantel's GeoHelix global positioning satellite antenna in its new hands-free Bluetooth/GPS car kit.
Parrot, the global innovator in Bluetooth technology for the automotive market, has chosen Sarantel's GeoHelix global positioning satellite (GPS) antenna for its new hands-free Bluetooth/GPS car kit The Parrot 3400 LS-GPS' combination of driver-friendly functions allows drivers to stay in touch while they stay on track
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 23 Apr 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Novel GPS antenna picks up more satellites
The GeoHelix-H is a new-technology high-gain active antenna for portable GPS receivers which enables more satellites to be acquired than conventional patch devices.
GPS antenna slides into CompactFlash designs
In the last four months four companies have designed the Sarantel ultra-small GeoHelix GPS antenna into CompactFlash GPS modules in current production.
It combines Bluetooth voice recognition hands-free kit with a colour LCD screen and a GPS vehicle navigation device that continuously sends the vehicle's position to a driver's smartphone or PDA.
Parrot has established itself as the leader in hands-free mobile kits for the automotive market and is known for its high quality voice recognition, echo cancellation and noise reduction platform that is ideal for the automobile environment.
Sarantel's GeoHelix antenna complements this technology by separating GPS signals from the RF noise.
Further reading
GPS antenna connects cellphone addon
Sarantel has acheived a significant design win for its advanced GeoHelix GPS (global positioning system) antenna which is to feature in the new GPS addon for the Ericsson T60c cellphone.
GPS antenna shrinks to surface mounting
Sarantel has developed a surface-mount version of its active GeoHelix miniature GPS antenna.
It is therefore possible to more tightly integrate the GPS and Bluetooth devices within the product without hurting the GPS performance.
The GeoHelix active antenna's broad beamwidth and omnidirectionality also ensured that the 3400 LS-GPS would provide accurate navigation information to the smartphone wherever the product was mounted in the car.
It was critical to Parrot that the user not be burdened with special mounting or placement requirements for a navigation antenna.
The product also needed to be small, visually appealing, and built around the principle of hands-free communication.
Sarantel's GeoHelix antenna's small size and independence from ground planes allowed Parrot to keep the overall size of the product smaller than would be possible with conventional patch antenna technologies.
Nicolas Besnard, Parrot's Director of Research and Development commented: "Parrot has raised the bar in simplifying cellular use in vehicles and enabling anywhere, anytime access to location-based services".
"We continue our relentless pursuit of innovation and we are happy to work in conjunction with Sarantel to now provide drivers with a full navigation system in their vehicles, combining a Bluetooth hands-free kit with a colour LCD screen and GPS antenna".
David Wither, CEO at Sarantel added: "GPS complements many applications if the right tools are available to accomplish the integration".
"Hands-free mobile telephony is an excellent example".
"The GeoHelix antenna allows the designer to integrate GPS without overburdening the prime function of the product, thereby bringing value to the customer".
"We were pleased to work with Parrot on this unique combination of applications resulting in a very cool product".
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