In 1994, Motorola changed the course of its Australian operations through a corporate recognition of the nation’s research and development potential. After global evaluation studies, Motorola selected Australia for the establishment of a software centre in Adelaide which, since its opening in 1994, has expanded rapidly to become a major Australian-developed software exporter.

A vital factor in the choice of Australia for software development was the availability of highly qualified graduates and post-graduates and the readiness of universities to partner with Motorola. Other advantages include a stable economy, wide technology base and lifestyle factors.

Since the initial centre opened in Adelaide’s Technology Park with 12 software developers, it has expanded at a phenomenal rate, establishing close links with the three major universities in the state and becoming Motorola's Centre of Excellence for Public Safety and Security Software.

A second centre was established in Perth in 2001 with researchers working on "next generation" cellular software.  Motorola continues to build close links with universities in Western Australia. The two sites now have a combined population of over 180 employees, many of whom started their careers with Motorola as graduates.

Global Software Group (GSG) Australia has gained global recognition from industry, governments and private research organisations for its high quality software.

Projects

GSG Australia participates in developing leading edge software for Motorola products. Many projects are executed collaboratively across multiple Australian sites and global sites. Key projects include software for the Hong Kong Police and emergency services communications software for two key Victorian Government Bureau of Emergency Services projects, a Mobile Data Network and a Metropolitan Mobile Radio Network.

Global Positioning Service (GPS) chip development

The Adelaide team has played a key role in the development of one of the smallest Global Positioning Chip (GPS), designed for use in cell phones and public safety communications equipment.   The chip will still be available for Motorola products although Motorola’s GPS chip set business was sold earlier this year to SiRF Technology.

Under the agreement, SiRF becomes a preferred GPS technology supplier to Motorola. SiRF will integrate into its product portfolio Motorola's existing GPS chip set products, including the MG2000 used in telematics applications and the MG4x00 (Instant GPS) used in cellular handsets and for public safety two-way radio designers across a range of mobile platforms. SiRF is focused on providing GPS enabled location technology for high-volume mobile consumer devices and commercial applications, including automobile navigation and Telematics systems, mobile phones, mobile consumer devices and PDAs.

The Adelaide team, which worked on the software for the MG4200 single chip solution, has provided software which enables the chip to self boot from serial flash, making integration of Instant GPS a much easier process.

GPS is the de facto standard for accurate positioning. The latest chip includes 'buddy lists' and location-targeted marketing features, expected to be vital selling points for hand held phones in the consumer market.

The Instant GPS chip can detect GPS signals as low as –153dBm, equivalent to the signal level received in Los Angeles from a 100 watt light bulb burning in Japan. And the Instant GPS chip is fast. Time to first fix is possible in as little as 4 seconds with, and 36 seconds without, network assistance.

Other examples of GSG Australia software development are:

• 1998 – the first generation dual card Motorola StarTAC cell phone, which was awarded ‘Most Innovative Product of the Year’ status in the Business Times Product of the year Global Innovation Awards.
• 2001 – General Motors OnStar Road Service across the United States. OnStar Road Service provides an internet-based telematics system, which lets drivers download anything from maps to stock reports by voice command.
• 2001 - Voice and WAP technology applied to customer trials in the areas of Mobile Commerce
• 2001 – SMS feature for CDMA and GSM phones that are shipping worldwide for Motorola.
• 2000/2001 - 2 year re-architecture and development of all Motorola user interfaces for phones; developed across 34 locations with 200 engineers involved.

• 2001 – General Motors OnStar Road Service across the United States. OnStar Road Service provides an internet-based telematics system, which lets drivers download anything from maps to stock reports by voice command.
• 2001 - Voice and WAP technology applied to customer trials in the areas of Mobile Commerce
• 2001 – SMS feature for CDMA and GSM phones that are shipping worldwide for Motorola.
• 2000/2001 - 2 year re-architecture and development of all Motorola user interfaces for phones; developed across 34 locations with 200 engineers involved.