CPS And SiGe Semiconductor To Develop E-GPS Mobile Location Technology
Under the agreement, the companies will deliver an E-GPS module that combines SiGe Semiconductor's SE8901L global positioning system (GPS) receiver IC with CPS's software-only Matrix technology. The complete system will enable manufacturers of GSM and 3G handsets and network operators to deliver high-accuracy location fixes in all environments - including indoor and dense urban areas where GPS by itself struggles to perform.
Initial testing in central London demonstrates the major benefit of combining Matrix with GPS to provide a robust, fast and accurate all-area positioning system. As well as consistent sub-100m accuracy, the results highlighted the ability of E-GPS to deliver location requests 97% of the time and first fixes across the test of area within just 10 seconds. SiGe Semiconductor and CPS will provide joint implementation and product development support to qualified customers.
CPS CEO Chris Wade said: "Our joint starting point has been the user experience. What users want from a location technology is high accuracy, all environment coverage - and a fast location fix. It is these three parameters that will determine the success of operator and enterprise location-based services. Mobile device manufacturers also demand a low cost solution and the SiGe/CPS combination delivers just that."
"This development agreement is a further strengthening of our relationship with a leading player in the GPS market and we have already been hugely encouraged by the results of our joint endeavour."
"The combination of our technologies raises the bar for performance, allowing network operators and cellular handset manufacturers to support location based services with greater accuracy than ever before," said Jim Derbyshire, CEO, SiGe Semiconductor. "We have also worked very closely to deliver a module that takes the guesswork out of new product design. This, combined with joint development support from both SiGe and CPS will ensure customers get to market quickly with next-generation systems."
SOURCE: SiGe Semiconductor, Inc. and Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd.