Falcom picks u-blox to upgrade GPS portfolio

06 November 2008, 6:35pm

Thalwil, Switzerland – November 6, 2008 – u-blox today announced that Falcom, a developer of wireless communications systems, has chosen u-blox 5 as the GPS engine for forthcoming GPS-based products in their continuous efforts to improve product performance and deliver state of the art technology. First designs incorporating this technology include a high-sensitivity compact GPS mouse, an AVL (automotive vehicle location) device and a GPS smart antenna. The products will be launched at the Electronica trade fair, 11-14 November, Munich.

Falcom has selected the UBX-G5010 single-chip version of the u-blox 5 product portfolio. Thus these products boast all the advantages of u-blox 5 including 1-second time-to-first-fix (TTFF), –160 dBm sensitivity and jamming mitigation techniques that outperform anything else on the market.

The first of the initial products is the NAVI-S-U5 high-sensitivity GPS mouse. This comes in a compact package, measuring just 52 mm in diameter and 20 mm in height, and has an RS232 serial interface to connect to any portable-computing application that needs GPS functionality. The second product, the FOX-LT, is a configurable smart tracking device that acts as a mobile client for systems such as AVL, fleet management, vehicle surveillance, and car security.

Finally, the FSA03 smart antenna combines a u-blox 5 GPS receiver with a Sarantel helix antenna in a single-board solution measuring just 51 x 15 x 13 mm. The smart antenna’s small size and attractive pricing make it an excellent choice for easy integration of GPS into consumer devices of all types.

“u-blox was the perfect choice for us when we decided to upgrade our GPS capabilities,” says Mr. Leipoldt, CEO at Falcom. “First, they had the right technology to meet our price/performance requirements. Second u-blox provided superb design-in support that enabled us to dramatically reduce our time to market, a factor that is crucial in our business.

Finally, our customers will also benefit from u-blox’ AssistNow A-GPS service since many of our products are used in connection with mobile phone services. This valuable service enables our systems to minimize the TTFF to a level that is far better than our competitors’ products.”

“As both the entire hardware and software of u-blox 5 is based on our own design and know-how, we are able to offer a sophisticated and broad GPS receiver portfolio. Our customers benefit from various product and sign options to find the best GPS solution for their requirements,” comments Armin Böshenz, u-blox area sales manager. “As GPS is one of the key functions of their products, it is essential for Falcom to get top functionality and service. Their skills in innovation combined with our technology will certainly result in cutting-edge products that will
excite customers.”

To get a first-hand look at u-blox 5 technology, as well as Falcom products, please visit u-blox at the Electronica trade fair, 11 – 14 November, Munich, Hall A6, Booth 365.

At Electronica, Karsten Tietz, VP Sales EMEA, will be speaking on ”A-GPS (Assisted GPS) in Mobile and M2M Applications”: Wednesday, 12.11.2008, 10:00 – 10:30.

www.u-blox.com

Geo: International