SAN FRANCISCO, March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB)
introduced today its new ultra-low power mini Global Positioning System (GPS)
receiver -- the Lassen(TM) SQ module for mobile devices. With major
advancements in performance, power consumption and size, the Lassen SQ module
enables system integrators to add GPS capability to a mobile device with
minimal impact on its size or battery life.
The announcement was made today at the Embedded Systems Conference.
In today's wireless world, adding new functionality and finding ways to
reduce power and size for mobile, battery-powered applications are key. Many
GPS receivers offered on the market today consume 500 milliwatts or more of
power. Trimble's Lassen SQ is a power saving module that even in continuous
operation requires only 100 milliwatts. For example, two penlight batteries
can power the module for more than 40 hours of continuous operation -- that's
10 times longer than the average cell phone's continuous talk time. The Lassen
SQ's ultra-low power gives developers flexibility to achieve significant
reductions in power consumption when adding GPS capability.
In addition to power consumption, adding GPS capability to a mobile device
also meant sacrificing the device's size. Now, with the Lassen SQ module's
postage-stamp size (~26mm x 26mm) form factor, integrators can easily fit GPS
functionality into a variety of mobile products including cell phones, PDAs,
digital cameras, notebook and tablet computers, data recorders, in-car
navigation and vehicle tracking systems as well as portable instrumentation
devices.
"Until today, integrators had to choose between having either lower power
or smaller size when adding GPS to cell phones, PDAs or other mobile
information devices," said Joel Avey, director of marketing for Trimble's
Component Technologies Division. "Trimble's latest innovation is sized to meet
both the power and dimensional requirements of portable appliances. It's the
most advanced, efficient and flexible GPS solution for mobile devices on the
market today."
The Lassen SQ is a high-performance GPS module. It incorporates Trimble's
FirstGPS(TM) technology along with a powerful microprocessor in a miniature
form factor for a complete position velocity and time (PVT) solution. The
highly integrated module is a miniature board containing a GPS hardware core
based on Trimble's Colossus RF ASIC and IO-S digital signal processor (DSP)
design and a 32-bit RISC CPU. The module offers onboard data storage in flash
memory for complete processing capability.
The Lassen SQ module is compatible with active 3.3 VDC antennas; Trimble
provides three models depending on the application -- an ultra-compact
embedded antenna, a compact unpackaged antenna or a compact packaged antenna
with a magnetic mount for moveable installation.
Development kits include: the Lassen SQ GPS module mounted on an
interface board in a durable metal enclosure, a magnetic mount antenna, an
AC/DC power adapter, a serial interface cable, a reference manual, and GPS
toolkit software for communication with the GPS module. The Lassen SQ GPS
module and developers kit is anticipated to be available in the second quarter
of 2002 through Trimble's worldwide sales organization.
About Trimble
Trimble is a leading innovator of Global Positioning System (GPS)
technology. In addition to providing advanced GPS components, Trimble augments
GPS with other positioning technologies as well as wireless communications and
software to create complete customer solutions. Trimble's worldwide presence
and unique capabilities position the Company for growth in emerging
applications including surveying, automobile navigation, machine guidance,
asset tracking, wireless platforms, and telecommunications infrastructure.
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has more than
2,000 employees in more than 20 countries worldwide.
For an interactive look at company news and products, visit Trimble's Web
site at http://www.trimble.com
SOURCE Trimble Navigation Limited
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Related links:
http://www.trimble.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/891875.html
CONTACT:
press, Lea Ann McNabb of Trimble,
+1-408-481-7808, or leaann_mcnabb@trimble.com
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