RF&WirelessBlog

Successful tests of eCall and ERA Glonass in Russia for SIMCom

M2M specialist SIMCom Wireless Solutions has successfully concluded tests of SIMCom’s GSM module for eCall / ERA Glonass readiness in Russia’s real network. 
eCall and ERA Glonass are EU and Russian initiatives to capitalise on GSM and GPS technologies for vehicle emergency response service. The projects are independently led by the European Commission and the Russian government to provide rapid assistance to motorists when a collision happens anywhere in the European Union and Russia.  eCall and ERA Glonass are planned for initial implementation after 2013, and are backed by numerous car, truck and bus manufacturers and the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

GPS LNAs dynamically suppress strong transmit signals

NXP has announced a family of SiGe:C low noise amplifiers, dubbed BGU700x, designed to improve the linearity, noise figure and reception of GPS signals while offering the smallest possible footprint. These GPS LNAs dynamically suppress strong cellular, Bluetooth and WLAN transmit signals, offering excellent reception for weak GPS signals, delivering an improvement of 10 dB or better IP3 under -40 to -20 dBm jamming conditions, while the noise figure remains below 1 dB. Requiring only two external components, NXP says the BGU700x LNAs save up to 50% in PCB size and 10% in component cost.

Iridium’s new offerings extend satellite communications applications

Satellite communications company Iridium has announced various new products and services, including Iridium Extreme, which it says is the most advanced, rugged satellite handset on the market. Iridium Extreme is the smallest and lightest handset model in its range, with the ability to precisely locate users anywhere on the surface of the planet.  It meets U.S. Military Standard 810F for durability and features the first dedicated, two-way emergency SOS button on a satellite phone. The company’s Iridium Core 9523 voice and data module powers the Iridium Extreme satellite phone and it is available for licensing.

Solid State Supplies wins franchise for Quectel low-cost GSM and GPS embedded wireless modules

Solid State Supplies has won a UK and Ireland franchise with Quectel Wireless Solutions, a Chinese manufacturer of 2G, 2.5G and 3G modules for M2M applications. Founded by Patric Qian, formerly of Simcom, Alcatel and Motorola, Quectel’s GSM and GPS modules are form-and-function compatible with products from more established brands.

Affordable GLONASS/GPS receiver offers best in class performance

SkyTraq has introduced a high-performance, affordable GG12A GLONASS/GPS receiver. It features industry-leading 29 second cold start TTFF as well as -146dBm cold starting and -162dBm tracking sensitivity. According to the company, the receiver also offers best-in-class performance among GPS and GLONASS/GPS receivers available on the market.

Fastrax unveils the world’s smallest GPS antenna module

Fastrax has unveiled the Fastrax UC430, a combination of a complete high-performance GPS receiver and an integrated chip antenna packed in a miniature form factor. Just 9.6 x 14.0 x 1.95mm including antenna, Fastrax says these antenna modules are the smallest in the world of their type.

u-blox GPS chip selected for Samsung 3D navigator family

u-blox’ latest-generation GPS chip UBX-G6010-ST has been chosen for Samsung’s entire line of SEN car navigation devices, inlcuding the SEN-410, Samsung’s most sophisticated multimedia navigator with 3D display and high-definition 7-inch touchscreen.

Garmin acquires wireless dog training equipment company

One of Garmin’s subsidiaries is set to acquire Tri-Tronics, the designer and manufacturer of electronic dog training equipment. The acquisition will allow the combined company to expand its leadership position in both the tracking and training of sporting dogs and household pets alike.

Antenova announces nine-band LTE mobile broadband antenna

UK integrated antenna and RF modules vendor Antenova has announced the new DATANOVA 4G nine-band antenna with LTE and GPS for the new generation of lightweight notebooks and netbooks.

DATANOVA 4G is a custom mobile broadband antenna that covers LTE (bands 4, 7, 13 and 17), 3G, CDMA/GSM, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UWB and GPS. Like the other antennas in the DATANOVA range, it can cover all or as many of the bands as required, and provides a choice of wireless broadband connectivity options. The antennas eliminate the need for exposed or unsightly external antennas, and are provided in small volume, low profile form factors – down to the width of PCB, 0.8mm, making them particularly suitable for use in ultra thin, lightweight notebooks and netbooks, including the Dell Adamo XPS, which is the world's thinnest notebook at only 9.99mm in height/thickness.