New Software Makes Adding GPS to Handhelds Easier

Technology Holdings, Inc.has announced its SiRFSoft GPS software, a new approach to GPS signal processing for wireless handheld devices. SiRFSoft is designed to deliver superior positioning performance without the need for a dedicated GPS baseband integrated circuit. This greatly reduces the bulk and cost of adding GPS to mobile wireless devices.

Using SiRFSoft software on a supported platform, mobile wireless device manufacturers need only the RF section -- based on SiRF's RF chip -- and an antenna to implement a complete GPS receiver solution.

Targeted at handhelds and smart phones running Intel XScale and TI OMAP processors, SiRFSoft uses GPS signal acquisition algorithms to find the user's location even with weak GPS signals (up to -159 dBm). It also offers fast acquisition (3-5 sec) of strong and medium-strength signals.

SiRFSoft can use cellular wireless networks to assist in determining its location, including GSM, UMTS, CDMA, and PDC. However, it is able to obtain a position fix all on its own, when no aid is available.

It is not known at this time when the first devices using SiRFSoft will be available.

What Is GPS?

The Global Positioning System (GPS) was put into place by the U.S. military. It consists of a series of 24 satellites in Earth orbit. A GPS receiver picks up radio signals from multiple satellites and calculates its position by triangulating this data. A full description is available from Wikipedia.

A few handhelds have been introduced that offer built-in GPS receivers. Probably the best known of these is Garmin's iQue 3600. In addition, MiTAC has the Mio 168, the first Pocket PC with integrated GPS.

Thanks to BargainPDA for the tip.

Related Links

• Brighthand Reviews the Garmin iQue 3600
• Announces First Pocket PC with Built-in GPS