GPS World

Category: Mobile

  • Sporting Goods Maker Offers GPS/Bluetooth Goggles

    Smith-Optics-snowgoggles Photo: I/O Recon
    Photo: I/O Recon

    Sporting goods maker Smith Optics is offering I/O Recon goggles for winter sports enthusiasts, which combine Smith’s premium anti-fog lenses with GPS and Bluetooth technology. A heads-up display is integrated into the frame design, allowing users to log and view information without taking their eyes off the powder.

    According to Smith Optics, the frame design maximizes field of view. With the heads up display, skiiers and snowboarders can see the speed they’re going, the height of their jumps, and track and follow their friends on the slopes. The Bluetooth allows connection to a smartphone.

    List price for the goggles is $650.

    Smith-Optics-snowgoggles-1
    Photo: I/O Recon
    Smith-Optics-snowgoggles-2 Photo: I/O Recon
    Photo: I/O Recon

     

     

  • Verizon Vehicle Service Designed for Unconnected Cars

    Verizon will soon be offering Verizon Vehicle to U.S. consumers. The new connected-vehicle service aims to modernize traditional roadside assistance offerings while enhancing driver safety, convenience and savings, according to Verizon. Verizon made the announcement today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

    Verizon Vehicle is expected to make its commercial debut in the second quarter of 2015. With Verizon Vehicle, drivers will have easy access to diagnostic technology, live assistance, and roadside assistance with GPS accuracy. The service can connects drivers to live A.S.E. certified mechanics to diagnose potential problems and offer solutions. If drivers need assistance, the built-in GPS identifies their exact location, and a tow truck driver or other help can be dispatched as needed, with precision.

    Erik Goldman, president of Verizon Telematics, explained that more than 200 million U.S. vehicles lack connected capabilities, vehicles that could benefit from the new service.

    “As one of the largest communications companies in the world, we are dedicated to providing consumers with innovative technology solutions that connect people, solve challenges and inspire change,” Goldman said. “Verizon Vehicle is a unique and truly holistic aftermarket solution available to over 200 million vehicles on the road today. It affords millions of drivers the power of knowing when things aren’t working well, potentially before a breakdown occurs — fostering a safer, smarter and more economical way to drive and maintain a vehicle. And while even the best technology can’t prevent every breakdown, the service modernizes the traditional roadside assistance offerings which, for the most part, haven’t been updated in 50 years.”

    Verizon Vehicle is powered by the Verizon Wireless network and is compatible with nearly every vehicle made and sold in the U.S. since 1996 — more than 9,000 makes and models. Verizon Vehicle will launch as a subscription-based service available to drivers regardless of the wireless service provider they use for their mobile devices. Members also receive discounts on travel including hotels and auto services.

    The service operates through an OBD reader that can be self-installed in the under-dash diagnostic port, a Bluetooth-enabled speaker attached to the visor and a smartphone app. Members can choose to use the app or elect to set up the service to contact them — by phone, text, push notification or email — if a potential issue is detected with their vehicle. The speaker offers one-button push connection to the member care group, the mechanics hotline and roadside assistance, as well as a second button for SOS emergency situations.

    The subscription-based service will include:

    • GPS-directed pinpoint Roadside Assistance for breakdowns, flat tires, overheating, a dead battery — anything that might require towing or immediate repair. Dispatches are made to the exact location of a disabled vehicle.
    • Automatic Urgent Incident Alert System places a call to the Verizon Vehicle Member Care Center in the event of a suspected accident. Help is immediately dispatched to the location if an accident is confirmed or there is no response from the driver. The time saved can potentially save lives by delivering critical emergency assistance when a person may not be able to call for help.
    • One-Button SOS Assistance immediately connects the driver to a live agent for emergency aid.
    • Auto Health System with Predictive Diagnostics translates most “check engine” light occurrences into real terms, including the description and severity of the matter, the probable solutions for the problem — and the appropriate cost for the repairs. The system is also designed to provide early warnings relating to some vehicle functions, even before a warning light comes on, to help keep you off the side of the road.
    • Mechanic’s Hotline is staffed with A.S.E. Certified Mechanics providing members access to immediate and unbiased information related to their vehicles, and a professional analysis of trouble they may be experiencing.
    • Parking & Meter Tools help drivers find where they left their vehicle —using the Verizon Vehicle smartphone app — while also keeping track of how much time is left on the meter.
    • Maintenance Alerts inform vehicle owners when scheduled maintenance is required. No more guesswork as to when to rotate those tires or change the oil.
    • Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance guides drivers when reporting a theft and helps authorities recover the stolen vehicle.
    • Travel & Repair Savings — Verizon Vehicle members will be entitled to discounts on hotels, vehicle rentals, auto maintenance, repairs and related travel expenses.

    The service is expected to launch nationally this spring with availability thru nationwide retailers late in 2015. Advance consumer orders for the service are being accepted at VerizonVehicle.com and at 800-711-5800.

  • SkyTraq Offers Multi-GNSS Receiver Module for Wearables

    SkyTraq Offers Multi-GNSS Receiver Module for Wearables

    The SkyTraq Venus828F GNSS receiver module. Photo: SkyTraq Technology
    The SkyTraq Venus828F GNSS receiver module. Photo: SkyTraq Technology

    SkyTraq Technology has introduced a stand-alone multi-GNSS receiver module in a compact 7 x 7 millimeter form factor, the Venus828F, designed with a sensor hub function for wearable and “Internet of Things” (IoT) applications.

    The Venus828F is capable of communication with multiple satellite systems and tracking up to 28 satellites concurrently, SkyTraq said. The compact LGA module integrates all the necessary components for wearables and IoT, forming a complete working GNSS receiver, including GNSS chipset, 0.5ppm TCXO, Flash memory, LDO regulator, DC/DC switching regulator, and passive components. It only requires external antenna and power supply to output accurate position, velocity, and time information in standard NMEA-0183 format, enabling ease of use and fast time to market, Skytraq said.

    The Venus828F features low power consumption, a 29-second cold start TTFF, -165 dBm tracking sensitivity, 10 nsec 1 PPS timing accuracy, on-board geofencing, 8 Mbit – 512 Mbit external SPI Flash data logging, and an industrial operating temperature range of -40C +85C. It has an UART and I2C interface for flexible connection to the host processor.

    Via SPI and I2C connection, data from MEMS sensor can be calculated by Venus828F using sensor-hub-enabled firmware, offloading computation from the host processor. Engineers can concentrate on their wearable and IoT applications instead of spending hundreds of hours reinventing the wheel developing sensor-fusion algorithms, according to SkyTraq.

    “Fast-acquisition high-sensitivity multi-GNSS chipset hardware are just becoming available in recent years, the internal firmware supporting multi-GNSS typically are not as fully optimized as GPS-only firmware that has matured for more than a decade to allow ROM codification with optimal performance for any existing GNSS chipset vendors; the multi-GNSS firmware is still being continuously improved over time,” said Michael Chung, VP of sales and marketing, SkyTraq. “By offering Venus828F multi-GNSS receiver module with Flash memory, it’s shipped with the latest, best-performance firmware. It is also later upgradeable in the field if the customer’s design allows. Targeting very high volume, cost-sensitive wearable and IoT applications, Venus828F is offered at price comparable to crystal-based ROM GPS modules on the market, setting a new benchmark in terms of performance, size, and cost for multi-GNSS receiver modules.”

    An engineering sample, datasheet, and reference design for the Venus828F are available now.

  • GPS Antenna Market Report Takes Global View

    Big Market Research is offering a “2014 Market Research Report on Global GPS Antenna Industry” that discusses the world’s major regional market conditions for antennas, including North American, Europe and Asia, and the countries Germany, Japan, China, and the United States, among others.

    The report introduces basic GPS antenna information, including antenna definition classifications and applications, and an industry-chain overview; GPS antenna industry policy and plans; GPS antenna product specification; and the manufacturing process and cost structures. Then the analysts look at regional market conditions, including product price, profit, capacity, production, capacity utilization, supply, demand and industry growth rate.

    The report introduces a GPS antenna new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, investment return analysis, and the global GPS antenna industry.

    The report has six parts:

    1. basic product information;
    2. an analysis of the Asian GPS antenna industry;
    3. an analysis of  the North American GPS antenna industry;
    4. an analysis of the European GPS antenna industry;
    5. an analysis of the entry-level market and investment feasibility;
    6. report conclusion.
  • Ford Autonomous Vehicle On the Way, CEO Says

    Ford Autonomous Vehicle On the Way, CEO Says

    Mark Fields, President and CEO, Ford Motor Company, delivers the opening keynote address at the 2015 International CES. (Photo by: Sam VarnHagen/Ford)
    Mark Fields, President and CEO, Ford Motor Company, delivers the opening keynote address at the 2015 International CES. (Photo by: Sam VarnHagen/Ford)

    Ford Motor Company highlighted the semi-autonomous vehicles it has on the road today and fully autonomous vehicles now in development at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.

    “We’re already manufacturing and selling semi-autonomous vehicles that use software and sensors to steer into both parallel and perpendicular parking spaces, adjust speed based on traffic flow or apply the brakes in an emergency,” said Raj Nair, Ford chief technical officer and group vice president, Global Product Development. “There will be a Ford autonomous vehicle in the future, and we take putting one on the road very seriously.”

    Ford’s semi-autonomous vehicle features available today include lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and active park assist — with Traffic Jam Assist coming.

    A fully autonomous Ford Fusion Hybrid research vehicle is undergoing road testing. The vehicle uses the same semi-autonomous technology in Ford vehicles today, while adding four LiDAR sensors to generate a real-time 3D map of the surrounding environment.

    The vehicle can sense objects around it using the LiDAR sensors, and uses advanced algorithms to help it learn to predict where vehicles and pedestrians might move.

    “Our priority is not in making marketing claims or being in a race for the first autonomous car on the road,” Fields said. “Our priority is in making the first Ford autonomous vehicle accessible to the masses and truly enhancing customers’ lives.”

    Ford Smart Mobility

    The automaker also laid out its Ford Smart Mobility plan for connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and big data. Included are 25 experiments set for this year — eight in North America, nine in Europe and Africa, seven in Asia and one in South America.

    Each experiment is designed to anticipate what customers will want and need in tomorrow’s transportation ecosystem. “We see a world where vehicles talk to one another, drivers and vehicles communicate with the city infrastructure to relieve congestion, and people routinely share vehicles or multiple forms of transportation for their daily commute,”said Ford President and CEO Mark Fields.  “The experiments we’re undertaking today will lead to an all-new model of transportation and mobility within the next 10 years and beyond.”

    The 25 experiments address four global megatrends — explosive population growth, an expanding middle class, air quality and public health concerns, and changing customer attitudes and priorities — challenging today’s transportation model and limiting personal mobility, especially in urban areas.

    Fourteen of the 25 experiments are Ford-led research projects, and 11 are part of the company’s Innovate Mobility Challenge Series. The experiments include:

    With the Innovate Mobility Challenge Series, Ford invited innovators and developers around the world to create solutions for specific mobility challenges in North America and South America, Portugal, Africa, India, China, England and Australia. Challenges included finding technology solutions to identify open parking spaces in urban areas, better ways to navigate crowded cities and the use of navigation and other tools to help people gain access to medical care in remote areas.

    SYNC 3

    Also at CES, Ford is demonstrating SYNC 3, the company’s new communications and entertainment system that is faster, more intuitive and easier to use with enhanced response to driver commands. SYNC 3 has more conversational speech recognition technology, a more smartphone-like touch screen and easy-to-read graphics to help drivers connect and control their smartphone while on the road.

    The next-generation system builds on the capability of SYNC technology already in more than 10 million vehicles on the road globally. SYNC 3 begins arriving on new vehicles this year.

    “Ford is delivering an easier way for customers to stay connected,” said Nair. “SYNC 3 is another step forward in delivering connectivity features customers most want, and they tell us this kind of technology is an important part of their decision to buy our vehicles.”

    “Even as we showcase connected cars and share our plans for autonomous vehicles, we are here at CES with a higher purpose,” Fields said. “We are driving innovation in every part of our business to be both a product and mobility company — and, ultimately, to change the way the world moves just as our founder Henry Ford did 111 years ago.”

  • CES: Visteon Demonstrates Connectivity Gateway for Connected Car

    Visteon Corporation is demonstrating its latest vehicle connectivity system at the 2015 International CES being held this week in Las Vegas. Visteon’s system provides a secure and reliable gateway to advance the connected driving experience for drivers and automakers, the company said.

    A robust vehicle communication gateway is essential to ensure reliable connectivity that can keep pace with advances in 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, and vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) developments. Visteon’s latest solutions address personal and vehicle security, increased data complexity and vehicle architecture challenges.

    Visteon’s Wireless Gateway is a 4G-compatible connectivity module that manages a complex network of GPS, cellular, Wi-Fi and Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) inside and outside of the vehicle to provide seamless connectivity when mobile. The gateway incorporates a high level of security to protect multiple owners over a vehicle’s lifetime and is capable of handling future data bandwidth, wireless communication and security needs.

    Visteon’s V2X platform provides short- to medium-range wireless communications between similarly equipped nearby vehicles that permit very low latency data transfer, which is critical in communications-based active safety applications. The platform is designed to maximize communication range and provide the greatest amount of warning or notification time to the driver.

    Addressing the connected vehicle architecture, Visteon’s SmartCore integrated solution integrates traditional driver information, infotainment and connectivity through one seamless human-machine interaction (HMI). Multiple domains can run side-by-side on scalable hardware through different operating systems, greatly reducing complexity, Visteon said. The system actively prioritizes critical information for the driver on a situational basis and enhances driver information management on the road to autonomous driving.

    “With the increased complexity of connected services and applications, today’s challenge is not about providing a platform with extensive features, but creating a future-ready vehicle gateway that has the flexibility to adapt and accommodate evolving network technologies,” said Christian Feltgen, vice president, Visteon technology office.

  • Android Wear App with AccuWeather MinuteCast Now on Google Play

    Android Wear App with AccuWeather MinuteCast Now on Google Play

    AccuWeather App for Android Wear (PRNewsFoto/AccuWeather)
    AccuWeather App for Android Wear (PRNewsFoto/AccuWeather)

    The AccuWeather app for Android is now available for Android Wear, providing users with up-to-the-minute weather information wherever they go. Android Wear is the Android platform for wearables such as smartwatches. The app is available through the Google Play store.

    AccuWeather’s app for Android Wear features AccuWeather MinuteCast, a global minute-by-minute precipitation forecast for a person’s exact street address or GPS location. AccuWeather MinuteCast includes precipitation type and intensity, as well as start and end times for precipitation, and gives users by-the-minute precipitation forecasts for the upcoming two hours. The GPS technology that localizes the weather to the user’s location is protected by patents in the United States and many of the major countries around the world, AccuWeather said.

    In addition to AccuWeather MinuteCast, AccuWeather for Android Wear and for Android smartphones and tablets provides users with severe weather alerts, hourly forecasts, and current conditions.

    “This is an exciting opportunity for AccuWeather to deliver weather information in innovative new ways to users,” said Steven Smith, chief digital officer of AccuWeather, Inc. “As the global weather leader, we provide weather forecasts wherever, whenever, and however our users most want them. Easy access, hyper localization, ease of use, and the superior accuracy that is the hallmark of our organization, help our audiences everywhere make decisions and improve their lives.”

    AccuWeather MinuteCast is available for the contiguous United States, Canada, Japan, Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, and parts of the Czech Republic, with additional locations to come.

    AccuWeather for Android Wear, and for Android smartphones and tablets, is available from Google Play.

  • GPS Watch Aimed at Children’s Safety Unveiled at CES

    GPS Watch Aimed at Children’s Safety Unveiled at CES

    The HereO GPS watch for children. Photo: HereO
    The HereO GPS watch for children. Photo: HereO

    The hereO cellular GPS watch for kids will be officially unveiled at the 2015 International CES, being held in Las Vegas this week. Designed for children ages three and up, the hereO works in sync with a mobile app to provide real-time location sharing, safe-zone alerts, and group messaging, allowing parents to monitor their children’s safety and whereabouts at all times directly on their mobile phones or desktop computers.

    The engineers at hereO miniaturized components to make the watch fit children’s wrists, the company said. The watch comes in a variety of bright and colorful water resistant designs to appeal to children. For parents, the hereO Family App for smartphones/tablets (iOS and Android) and desktops provides real-time location information on all family members and loved ones, plus location history, live-updates, panic alerts, safe-zone definition, and more.

    “CES is a crucible of amazing minds, emerging ideas, and groundbreaking new technology; it’s the Mecca for today’s most inspired innovators,” said hereO Co-Founder and President Daniel Ivesha. “After three years of developing and perfecting our prototype, we couldn’t think of a better place to debut hereO, the world’s smallest cellular-connected GPS tracking watch for kids, which we believe is not only a game-changer in child safety technology but in the way families stay connected.”

    Features include:

    • hereO LOCATION: Parents can locate their child anytime, anywhere. Historical locations are also available so parents can track where their child have been throughout the day.
    • Wi-Fi ENABLED: Wi-Fi allows indoor tracking whenever an indoor map is available. When indoor mapping is unavailable, an indoor confirmation will be sent to the parent’s smartphone.
    • SAFE-ZONE ALERTS: Parents can create Safe Zones for frequently visited areas (kindergarten, office, etc.) and are notified when their child arrives or departs from that location.
    • PANIC ALERT: In case of an emergency, children can use their hereO watch to send a panic alert that immediately notifies family members of their location.
    • TAMPER ALERT: Parents receive an alert when any authorized person tries to remove the watch.
    • EMERGENCY TRACKING: In emergency situations, parents can turn on real-time tracking to facilitate locating the child.
    • TIME DISPLAY: Time is displayed on a beautiful e-ink display.
    • USB charger: Built-in USB connector allows portable charging. Simply plug the hereO watch into any USB port to charge and to get firmware updates.
    • LONG BATTERY LIFE: With our standby mode, the hereO watch can last up to 60 hours.
    • BUILT-IN SIM: Each hereO watch is equipped with a built-in SIM card that works in over 120 countries, making it the perfect travel companion.

    The hereO watch retails for $179, which includes a three-month subscription to the hereO Family App. Thereafter, a monthly fee of $4.95 applies.

    At CES, the hereO watch is at booth #74545 (Tech West: Sands Expo at The Venetian).

  • Wearables, UAVs Make CEA’s List of Profitable Emerging Tech

    Record-Breaking Year Ahead: Industry Revenues to Reach All-Time High of $223.2B in 2015

    Revenues for the consumer electronics (CE) industry are projected to grow three percent in 2015 and to reach an all-time high of $223.2 billion, according to The U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecasts, the semi-annual industry report released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The total revenues forecast was announced by CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro during his opening remarks today at the 2015 International CES, running January 6-9 in Las Vegas.

    CEA’s consensus forecast reflects U.S. factory sales to dealers and covers more than 100 CE products. The twice-annual report serves as a benchmark for the CE industry, charting the size and growth of underlying categories.

    Emerging Technologies

    The 2015 forecast projects that revenue for new, emerging product categories is expected to double, growing 108 percent year-over-year in 2015. These new technology categories include unmanned systems (unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned vehicles and home robots); wearables such as health and fitness devices, smartwatches and smart eyewear; IP cameras; 3D printers; 4K Ultra-High Definition televisions; and connected thermostats.

    While the emerging product categories represent less than five percent of the entire CE industry revenue forecast, they are expected to contribute almost $11 billion to overall CE revenue in 2015.

    “Our forecast underscores that consumers’ love affair with technology shows no signs of slowing any time soon,” said Shapiro. “Consumer technology is all about continued innovation. In the blink of an eye, consumer demand has taken off for emerging categories such as wearables, unmanned aerial vehicles and 4K Ultra HD — categories that were too small to track just three years ago. Expect to see these burgeoning categories, as well as innovations across the full spectrum of consumer technology, on display this week at the 2015 International CES.”

    The Wearable Revolution

    The wearable device revolution is a key category to watch in the coming years, and especially in 2015. CEA projects overall wearable unit sales will reach 30.9 million units (a 61 percent increase from last year) and generate $5.1 billion in revenue in 2015 (a 133 percent increase). CEA’s wearables category encompasses fitness activity bands and other health and fitness devices, as well as smartwatches and smart eyewear.

    Health and fitness devices: Led by the popularity of activity tracking devices, health and fitness devices will lead unit sales among all wearables in 2015 with a projected 20 million units. Revenue is expected to surpass $1.8 billion in 2015.

    Other mobile devices:

    Smartphones: As the sales leader of the industry, smartphone unit shipments are projected to reach 169.3 million this year, up six percent from 2014. Additionally, smartphone revenues are expected to generate $51.3 billion in 2015, a five percent increase from last year. Particular growth will be seen in screen sizes between 5.3 inches – 6.5 inches.

    Tablets: Unit sales of tablets are projected to reach 80.7 million this year, a three percent increase from 2014. Revenues for tablets will reach $24.9 billion this year, down one percent.

    “Mobile connected devices have reached an equilibrium, stabilizing the steep climb these products have experienced in recent years,” said Shawn DuBravac, Ph.D., chief economist, CEA and author of CEA’s soon-to-be released book Digital Destiny: How the New Age of Data Will Transform the Way We Work, Live, and Communicate. “Overall, improving economic conditions, consumer enthusiasm for new features and product categories, competitive manufacturer pricing and several other dynamics now at play should make 2015 an especially significant year for tech.”

    Other CE categories expected to enjoy positive growth in 2015 include audio, electronic gaming and laptops. Automotive electronics will see continued growth due to new vehicle sales in 2015, reaching $14 billion in revenue, a 3.3 percent increase.

    The U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecast 2010-2015 (January 2015) is published twice a year, in January and July, reporting U.S. factory sales-to-dealers. It was designed and formulated by CEA to be a comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry.

  • Trackimo Launches in North America at CES

    Trackimo
    Photo: Trackimo

    Tracking device maker Trackimo will make its official North American debut at a press conference on Jan. 7 during the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. At the press conference Trackimo will showcase its new line of tracking devices that will be introduced throughout 2015.  Trackimo will also announce its partnership with Trackimo North America as an exclusive U.S. and Canadian distribution partner.

    Trackimo was founded and is based in Israel. The company already has distribution deals in Latin America, Europe and Israel. The new distribution partnership in North America will offer its product to the mass market, according to Trackimo.

    “We are very excited to be able to provide Trackimo’s cutting-edge technology at an entirely new price point that virtually sets a new mass market segment for tracking devices,” said Shai Bar-Lavi, CEO and Chairman of Trackimo, Inc. “We offer a whole new approach to tracking that enables consumers to use our products and services in ways that were not possible before.”

    “We’re very excited to be part of the Trackimo Worldwide team and to be launching Trackimo into the North American market,” says Jim Prandine, vice president of sales, Trackimo North America. “Trackimo Universal covers dozens of applications in various channels, and our new upcoming products will broaden consumer demand even further.”

    Bar Lavi added,  “We are very excited about this new partnership with Trackimo North America as it opens up limitless opportunities for the Trackimo brand.”

    Debuting at CES:

    • Trackimo Universal: A compact (45 x 18 x 40 millimeter), lightweight device with long-lasting battery life and worldwide service. Included accessories allow users to secure Trackimo device to different objects, including backpacks, bikes, belts and luggage. Trackimo Universal can also be hardwired in a car, eliminating the need for charging. Designed for outdoor use, the Trackimo device also includes accessories for waterproofing.
    • The Trackimo app offers a single-point login for both computers and mobile platforms to allow effortless management of tracking units. It offers multiple device management under a single account, as well as, a variety of remote settings options.

    Highlights of Trackimo’s products include:

    • Dynamic Tracking Frequency: User-controlled location sampling enables optimized energy consumption.
    • Smart Alerts: User alerts via text, email and app notifications for location change, speed thresholds, sudden movement or impact, or SOS button press.
    • Dynamic History: All tracking history is stored; user can recall any time period and select from a variety of time resolutions.
    • GPS Tracking: Highly accurate locations when GPS reception available, but capable of accurate tracking wherever cell phone reception is available.
    • Virtual Fences: User-defined “geofences” give notifications when specific boundaries are crossed.
    • Multiple Devices: Multiple devices can be simultaneously tracked and managed on a single account.
    • Coming soon: Emergency Voice Channel: Voice channel can be opened automatically when SOS button is pressed, allowing remote user to hear what’s happening on site.

  • Wi2Wi Offers GNSS Module for M2M and Wearable Markets

    Wi2Wi Corporation is releasing the W2SG0021i, a miniature GNSS module based on the CSR SiRFStarV chip.

    The W2SG0021i is a high-sensitivity, low-power stand-alone receiver designed for portable applications. It can concurrently track multiple satellite constellations (GPS, GLONASS, BDS, SBAS, and is Galileo-ready) and has ultra-fast time-to-first-fix, a small form factor, and high receive sensitivity for a broad spectrum of OEM products, including machine-to-machine (M2M) and consumer wearables.

    The module provides precision commercial-grade GNSS location identification over -40C to +85C. Measuring 7 x 7 millimeters, the W2SG0021i addresses the need for a cost-effective and high-performance GNSS module for major markets worldwide, the company said.

    M2M and wearable markets require GNSS modules with high position accuracy, low power, and very small form factor, said Wi2Wi CTO and vice president of engineering Tony Fardanesh. Wi2Wi pushes these limits in its GNSS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth solutions, he said.

    Precision location features and the small form factor of W2SG0021i enable Wi2Wi to penetrate into the GNSS market globally.  Wi2Wi continues to invest in the research and development of high-precision connectivity solutions, timing devices and frequency controllers to the global customer base, said CEO Hans Black.

    The W2SG0021i samples and development kit will be available in Q1 2015.

    Wi2Wi designs, manufactures and markets miniaturized embedded wireless connectivity solutions (incorporating both hardware and software), high-precision timing devices, and frequency controllers for premium industrial/medical, avionics, home automation and government markets.

     

  • Broadcom’s GPS-Enabled Device for Satellite Units Helps Fight Piracy

    Satellite TV pirates beware: Broadcom Corporation is offering a GPS-enabled satellite outdoor unit (ODU) device that gives satellite TV providers a way to track subscriber equipment, pinpoint service issues in the home, and stop piracy with a geo-lock. The solution will also enable delivery of location-based services.

    The ODU solution combines Broadcom’s BCM4551 satellite TV device with its BCM4771 GPS receiver.

    Broadcom’s new satellite solution resides in the low-noise block (LNB) of a subscribers’ satellite dish, enabling operators to better position dish installations and reduce metering equipment costs and truck rolls. Combining GPS-enabled ODU technology with a set-top box, operators can quickly locate and validate a subscriber’s home location, Broadcom said.

    “By combining Broadcom’s field-proven satellite ODU technology with GPS functionality, we are able to provide operators with the capability to more conveniently and cost-effectively track the location of their equipment and prevent redistribution of content to nonsubscribers,” said Nicholas Dunn, Broadcom vice president of Direct Broadcast Satellite Marketing. “This integrated technology can also open the door to operator delivery of location-based social media and business applications, providing subscribers with targeted content such as information on local service providers, retail operations and restaurants, or a specific televised event.”

    GPS technology within the LNB also allows operators to geo-lock content to subscribers. Content geo-locking uses a subscriber’s location to deliver video content specific to the subscriber’s service address. This ensures the delivery of personalized services and prevents costly theft of service for operators. Previously, content geo-locking was only available through a costly external device attached to subscriber’s set-top box; today’s introduction from Broadcom offers best-in-class capabilities at an incremental cost for operators.

    Key Features of the BCM4551

    • Highly-integrated 28 nanometer (nm) process with low  power consumption
    • Allows 24 DVB-S2 channels to be stacked on a single coaxial cable to service any STB to reduce satellite operator installation costs
    • 8 RF inputs and 1RF output covering the 250 to 2350 MHz frequency range
    • 24 user-band output channels
    • 24 output channels selectable from any LNB input
    • Frequency shift keying (FSK) and digital satellite equipment control (DiSEqC)

    Key Features of the BCM4771

    • Highly integrated radio frequency (RF), baseband processor and CPU with smallest complete PCB footprint
    • Faster signal searches, accurate real-time navigation and improved tracking sensitivity
    • Increased satellite availability: supports GPS, and GLONASS satellites at L1 frequency band.

    Broadcom will demonstrate the new solution at the International CES show, January 6-9.