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Motorola Automotive Announces Revolutionary
Single Chip GPS Device
New Device Expands Market
for In-Vehicle GPS Systems
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- September 24, 2002 --
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT), working with IBM Microelectronics, today introduced
Motorola Instant GPS, a breakthrough technology for adding accurate location
sensing to virtually any vehicle at half the cost of current
systems.
Motorola Instant GPS is a
self-contained, single-chip, assisted global positioning system (A–GPS)
receiver. The device measures 7mm x 7mm, small enough to fit into almost any
automotive application and easily added to existing platforms. Because of its
compact size and affordability, the Instant GPS makes the technology available
to all classes of cars and trucks. Until now, GPS technology as original
equipment has traditionally been limited to high-end vehicles.
“With the combined technology of
Motorola and IBM, GPS systems will no longer be confined to luxury vehicles. In
fact, the Instant GPS chip costs less than adding power mirrors as an
option,” said Jacqui Dedo, vice president and general manager of worldwide
market operations, Motorola Automotive. “The device is smaller, less
expensive and consumes less power than alternative two- or three-chip systems,
making location-enabled devices such as E-911 compliant cellular phones possible
and opens up a whole world of other automotive
applications.”
Motorola Instant GPS is
the first truly single-chip GPS solution in the world, combining Motorola's GPS
design with IBM's leading-edge silicon germanium (SiGe) chip-making technology.
The companies worked together to integrate IBM's technology to optimise the
design. IBM plans to manufacture new GPS devices for Motorola, with sample
quantities planned for first quarter 2003 and full production parts planned for
second quarter 2003.
"IBM’s technology
enabled Motorola to reach its performance goal of detecting GPS signals so faint
they'd be comparable to those received in Detroit from a light bulb burning in
Tokyo," said Walt Lange, associate director for foundry services, IBM
Microelectronics. "Our silicon germanium technology can be used to combine the
function of many chips into one, helping reduce size and power consumption,
while improving performance. Our work with Motorola is another example of our
commitment to making advanced technologies available to our foundry
customers."
“Functioning at 20dB greater
than today’s systems, the Instant GPS is extremely sensitive, allowing
vehicles to be located virtually anywhere, including under dense trees, in a
parking garage, or even a chop shop,” said Tim McCarthy, director of
positioning systems for Motorola Telematics. “The Instant GPS also can
service consumers in just four seconds compared to current GPS systems which can
take up to two minutes to warm up,” he added. “It’s like
having instant heat on a cold winter morning.”
About the
Technology Continuing Motorola's tradition of
high quality reliable Oncore™ GPS solutions, Instant GPS sets the standard
for innovation and ease of use. Other features include:
Simple Integration
The interface between the Instant GPS chip and the host
processor is kept simple, allowing customers to separate the microprocessor and
GPS designs. This eliminates demanding interrupt structures found in embedded
GPS receivers, allowing a faster time to market.
Highly Compatible
Instant GPS can be used with industry standard
mobile-centric assist messages for compatibility with almost any cellular
network. By not completing its position calculation in the network, the device
eliminates network overhead and potential issues associated with network centric
GPS systems.
Low Power
Consumption
Instant GPS consumes a small amount of power, which can
be further reduced with an extensive array of power management modes such as
position-on-demand. Utilizing the customer configurable software power
management tools, Instant GPS can be placed in standby, further reducing power
consumption.
Single Mixed Mode Device
Fabricated in IBM's leading 0.25-micron SiGe process,
the Instant GPS breaks new ground by integrating both the 1.5GHz RF front end
and the digital baseband processing into a single die. Measuring 7mm x 7mm with
minimal external components required, Instant GPS leads the market for smaller,
low cost, high performance A–GPS.
Low IF Architecture with
Fractional Synthesizer
Designed with a Low Intermediate Frequency (IF) RF
architecture to improve jamming immunity, Instant GPS enables easier co-location
with transmitters such as GSM and Bluetooth™ wireless technology. An
onboard fractional synthesizer allows existing 12 to 26MHz reference oscillators
within the target product to be reused. In addition, a separate reference
oscillator is not required for functionality, allowing for substantial cost and
space saving benefits.
Future Compatible
Instant GPS is able to withstand the demands of
increasing miniaturization and reductions in operating voltage. Able to support
1.8v to 3.3v interfaces, Instant GPS allows flexibility in processor selection
and requires no redesign demands in the event of a die shrink in the host
processor.
Instant GPS also can be easily added
to many consumer electronics products enabling a wide range of consumer mobile
information products to have positioning capability. This technology makes a
new generation of products possible, such as cameras that time- and
location-stamp photos, PDAs with maps and real-time navigation, E-911 compliant
cellular phones with emergency assistance that can find friends, family members,
restaurants and nearby stores with goods on sale.
Motorola
Automotive
Located in Farmington Hills, Mich., Motorola Automotive
is a leading, global supplier of automotive electronics, telematics,
communications, and software systems. Motorola Automotive is a division of
Motorola Integrated Electronic Systems Sector (IESS), a leading provider of
advanced electronic products and systems for customers integrating electronics
into their products. With annual sales of
approximately $30 billion, Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in
providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions.
More information can be found at
www.motorola.com/automotive.
For more information on Motorola’s GPS products, please visit
www.motorola.com/gps.
About IBM
IBM Microelectronics is a key contributor to
IBM's role as the world's premier information technology supplier. IBM
Microelectronics develops, manufactures and markets state-of-the-art
semiconductor and interconnect technologies, products and services. IBM makes
chips for a wide range of devices from the world's most powerful computers to
the smallest cell phones. Its superior integrated solutions can be found in
many of the world's best-known electronic brands. More information about IBM
Microelectronics can be found at:
www.ibm.com/chips.
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# Media
Contacts:Kim
Hurley-Young Motorola
Automotive 248-324-9513 Kim.Hurley-Young@motorola.comKeena
Toth Eisbrenner Public
Relations 248-641-1446 ktoth@eisbrenner.comMOTOROLA
and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office.
All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.
The Bluetooth trademarks are owned by their proprietor and used by Motorola,
Inc. under license. © Motorola, Inc. 2002. |