CSR has introduced a micro-power location-aware GPS receiver which is designed to enable handhelds to be location aware without draining batteries and without requiring network aiding.
The launch of the first SiRFstarIV chip follows Cambridge-based CSR's acquisition of developer SiRF earlier this year.
“I am very pleased that we are able to launch such a major, breakthrough technology so soon after our merger with SiRF,” said Joep van Beurden, CEO of CSR.
See: Q5 Interview - Joep van Beurden, CSR
The main feature of the receiver is its ability to maintain a "fast-start" condition for location fixes without having to be kept fully turned on all the time which would drain power.
Typically, GPS receivers are turned off when not in use to conserve power, but this can lead to annoying start-up delays when a location application needed to get a new location fix quickly.
According to CSR, the SiRFaware technology overcomes this barrier with or without network aiding while consuming only 50-500µA of current.
“With consumers expecting reliable location services everywhere, we had to rewrite the traditional rule book on GPS architectures and create a new, low-energy way to maintain continuous location awareness without draining the device battery or requiring network assistance,” said Kanwar Chadha, Chief Marketing Officer for CSR and Founder of SiRF.
See: CSR bets on mobile GPS upturn
The first chip, the GSD4t host-based platform, is optimised for mobile phones and other space and power-sensitive consumer devices. The receiver provides navigation to -160dBm, tracking to -163dBm and passes margins for E911 and 3GPP, said the supplier.
"It can maintain its full rated -160-dBm acquisition sensitivity without network assistance. A low-power champion, the GSD4t receiver requires only 8 mW in 1-Hz TricklePower mode – two and a half times less than the industry benchmark SiRFstarIII," said CSR.
It also features such as active jamming removal, single-SAW design, an on-chip LNA, fail-safe I/O, integrated switchers, single supply voltage, simple RF matching and small size and packaging also make SiRF’s GPS receivers easier for designers to use and integrate into their products.
“Radio frequency interference within a portable consumer product, such as from embedded Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and mobile radios, as well as LCD screens, can easily inhibit GPS performance, and often does not become apparent until shortly before the product is due to go into production. This can easily add months of delay until the issue is resolved,” said Dave Huntingford, director of product management for CSR’s handset business.
The receiver is sampling in a 42-ball, 0.4-mm pitch wafer level chip scale package, with production quantities planned for October.