The Business section from the July 2015 issue. Download the PDF.
Includes:
OriginGPS has launched the Multi Micro Hornet, a tiny fully integrated multiple constellation antenna module. The innovative architecture packs functionality and high-quality components in a small space to improve wearables’ fashion and function, the company said.
“A recent study by the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency (GSA) showed that multi-constellation is becoming a standard feature in today’s user equipment,” said Gal Jacobi, CEO of OriginGPS. “Developers of wearables need modules with these features in the smallest size possible to be competitive in a market the GSA predicts will reach 14 million by 2023.”
GPS World reported on the GSA market report in its April issue, and held a webinar on the report on April 16, which can be viewed for free.
The Multi Micro Hornet is designed for devices that require a small form factor, low power consumption, and high sensitivity. In keeping with the company’s “Mini + Mighty” corporate mantra, OriginGPS has reduced the total volume in size by over 68 percent of other GNSS antenna modules without sacrificing performance, the company claims.
The Multi Micro Hornet has features that will improve the navigation experience of wearables and other Internet of Things devices, including:
Additionally, the Multi Micro Hornet module combines OriginGPS’ proprietary low-profile GPS+GLONASS antenna with a dual-stage LNA, RF LDO, SAW filter, TCXO, RTC crystal and RF shield with SiRFstarV GNSS system on chip.
The OriginGPS Multi Spider module provides high sensitivity and noise immunity by incorporating its proprietary Noise Free Zone technology for faster position fix and navigation stability even under challenging satellite signal conditions.
SiRFstarV — CSR’s GNSS receiver that tracks both GPS and GLONASS satellites — has the CSR mbed Shield, which comes fitted with the OriginGPS Multi Spider module (ORG4572) requiring 1V8 supply, ground, UART interface and connection to GNSS capable antenna. Additional IOs are available for interrupts, turning the receiver on and off, reset, fix status and power mode information.
The OriginGPS Multi Spider is a tiny GPS + GLONASS module designed to support ultra-compact applications in which size is at a premium, such as smartwatches, wearable devices, trackers and digital cameras. It is a fully integrated, highly sensitive GPS + GLONASS receiver module measuring 7 x 7 x 2.1 millimeters.
The Multi Spider continuously tracks all GPS and GLONASS satellites in view and provides real-time positioning data in the standard industry format, defined by the U.S. National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA).
For more information about GPS/GNSS modules, visit OriginGPS.
Zano is a portable aerial photography and video platform designed for consumers that measures 65 x 65 millimeters and weighs 55 grams. Torquing Group, who is developing Zano with the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign, said that Zano’s ability to fly autonomously will provide new possibilities for users seeking to capture images and videos. The drones can even be programmed to swarm.
What flies, takes selfies and fits in the palm of your hand? The tiny Zano drone.
Zano is a portable aerial photography and video platform designed for consumers that measures 65 x 65 millimeters and weighs 55 grams. Torquing Group, who is developing Zano with the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign, said that Zano’s ability to fly autonomously will provide new possibilities for users seeking to capture images and videos. The drones can even be programmed to swarm.
Zano’s location capabilities are powered by OriginGPS’ Nano Hornet, a tiny GPS module with an integrated antenna. Measuring just 10 x 10 x 3.44 millimeters, the Nano Hornet delivers performance and sensitivity with low power consumption. It achieves a rapid time to first fix of less than one second, with approximately one meter accuracy and -163 dBm tracking sensitivity. Because it detects changes in context, temperature, and satellite signals, it achieves a state of near continuous availability, while consuming mere microwatts of battery power.
The Zano connects directly with smart devices (iOS or Android) via onboard Wi-Fi to upload and share images or videos instantly. With the help of OriginGPS, Zano is able to know exactly where it is in relation to a smart device, even when powered off. Through a virtual tether, Zano will echo any movement made by the smart device it is synced to, with simple gesture control. A user will be able to control multiple Zanos from one device, enabling photographs and video of the same event from multiple vantage points.
Zano is also able to function in a “free flight” mode, which uses on-screen joysticks for an experience similar to a regular RC-operated UAV. OriginGPS’ location capabilities allow Zano to know if it is getting too far from its corresponding smart device and automatically return. Likewise, it is able to recognize its distance from the smart device and maintain that distance in “follow me” mode.
Since 2008, Torquing Group has developed small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the military and defense industry.
To further push the boundaries of GPS modules designed to be small, agile and light weight, OriginGPS introduced the Nano Spider integrated GPS receiver in November. The Nano Spider module is designed to support ultra-compact applications where size is at a premium, such as smart watches, wearable devices, trackers and digital cameras. Like the Nano Hornet, it packs a wide range of functionality into its small form factor, including dual-stage LNA, RF LDO, SAW filter, TCXO, RTC crystal and RF shield with market-leading SiRFstarIV GPS SoC.
OriginGPS has launched the Nano Spider, a tiny yet fully integrated GPS receiver. The Nano Spider module is designed to support ultra-compact applications where size is at a premium, such as smart watches, wearable devices, trackers and digital cameras.
OriginGPS, which previously introduced the Micro Spider (5.6 x 5.6 mm) module, said the Nano Spider is 47 percent smaller than its previous solutions, measuring 4 x 4 x 2.1 mm. The Nano Spider’s proprietary structure is a multi-level circuit for surface mounting, built to reduce footprint size.
“The wearable technology trend requires components that balance a small size with high-performance and best-in-class power consumption,” said Gal Jacobi, CEO of OriginGPS. “OriginGPS aims to continue to shrink the size of components, while increasing features to make adding location functionality possible for every device.”
OriginGPS’ Nano Spider continuously tracks all GPS satellites in view and provides real-time positioning data in the standard industry format defined by the U.S. National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA). The Nano Spider offers a complete System in Package (SiP) that includes:
To see a demo of the Nano Spider and Nano Hornet modules, visit OriginGPS’ booth (Hall A4 Booth 271) at Electronica 2014 in Munich, Germany.
FICOSA demonstrated a telematic unit integrating a multi-service antenna module for positioning and satellite navigation supporting all the geographic positioning standards at the 2013 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February.
The major advantage of this technological innovation is that the proposed multi-channel GPS/Galileo/GLONASS/BeiDou/QZSS receiver allows tracking across all the different navigation and positioning satellite standards worldwide, so that automakers can the having to manage different variants of in-vehicle telematic units (iVTUs) depending on the geographical market. iVTUs are needed for emergency call function, fleet management, and other functions. It incorporates an OriginGPS antenna.
The new module is a complete system-in-package featuring miniature surface mount device technology footprint designed to commit unique integration features for high volume, low power and cost-sensitive applications.
In addition, the reduced size of the receiver module makes the most of a stacked-up in board integration through miniaturized integrated circuits and surface mount devices, allows an aggressive reduction of the iVTU packaging, which is advantageous for the OEM for car assembly, iVTU localization inside the vehicle, and weight reduction.
The innovation represents the result of the international collaboration between FICOSA and OriginGPS. “We view the telematics market as a growing market and it is our privilege to cooperate and partner with Ficosa and its excellent engineering team,” said Haim Goldberger, CEO and founder of OriginGPS.
“In FICOSA, innovation and technology are two main tools for our future and working with OriginGPS is a great issue,” said Jose María Forcadell, Advanced Communications Business Unit Director at FICOSA.
OriginGPS is making available the first samples of its OriginGPS 1410 GPS receiver. The OriginGPS 1410 is 10 x 10 millimeters in size and has an active integrated antenna. The ORG1410 is a complete GPS System–in–Package (SiP), which allows high-volume, cost-sensitive applications to achieve high levels of integration and sensitivity, combined with low power consumption and an ultra-compact footprint, OriginGPS said.
OriginGPS is able to offer the first samples and development kits for this benchmark product through its representatives across the world. These representatives support customers with design support and manufacturing services that will allow customers to push their products’ GPS capabilities to new levels of performance and functionality, OriginGPS said.
The integration of a SiRFstarIV GPS processor enables the ORG1410 to operate in challenging GPS environments, such as tracking indoors or when the end-user is on the move. This high level of GPS performance is achieved by using GPS firmware that can detect changes in context, temperature, and satellite signals, and opportunistically update its internal parameters that enable the ORG1410 to deliver near-continuous navigation, the company said.
Within its 10 x 10 millimeter package, the ORG1410 integrates an active antenna; RF shield; TCXO and RTC crystal; LNA and SAW filters; and UART, SPI or I2C host interfaces, while achieving ultra-low power consumption of less than 15mW and a fast position fix of under 1 second and sensitivity of –163dBm.
A limited number of ORG1410 samples, in addition to development kits for leadcustomers, are available immediately.