Alpha Micro, an independent design-based distributor of
M2M electronic components, has introduced the u-blox 7 next
generation core positioning technology platform designed to support
all Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) - US, Russian,
Chinese, Japanese - and EU satellite positioning systems, as
well as all Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS). Based on
the UBX-G7020 multi-GNSS receiver IC, u-blox 7 has the lowest power
consumption of any such device on the market today by a factor of
three compared to other stand-alone solutions.
With only 7 mW power consumption during continuous navigation,
the u-blox UBX-G7020 is perfect for small portable and
power-sensitive devices requiring long battery life, high
sensitivity, small size and fast positioning.
"As satellite systems expand beyond GPS, u-blox 7 is an
important development for our customers keen to design systems that
work with all available global navigation standards, particularly
GLONASS which is now fully operational. The u-blox multi-GNSS
UBX-G7020 integrated circuit does exactly that while fulfilling two
of the most important features that our customers demand: minimum
power consumption and small size", said Maxine Hewitt, Director of
Marketing, Alpha Micro Components.
The chip has been designed to support the lowest cost
stand-alone solution, with minimal requirements for supporting
components - only 8 external components are required
resulting in a receiver occupying only 30mm2 on a
2-layer PCB. Standard crystal and TCXO are supported. The chip also
provides low-power, autonomous log data output of position,
velocity, and time. Support for A-GPS and u-blox' unique CellLocateTM hybrid GNSS/cellular
positioning technology is embedded to facilitate advanced
telematics applications including indoor positioning. Standard and
automotive grades are supported.
First samples of the multi-GNSS receiver chip UBX-G7020 are
available for customer evaluation. Sample versions of modules are
expected to be available in Q4 2012 / Q1 2013.
u-blox 7 maintains software compatibility with u-blox 5 and u-blox
6. The u-blox 7 modules will be drop-in compatible and
both previous generation platforms remain fully supported. u-blox'
capability of delivering GNSS technology in both integrated circuit
and module form provides maximum design flexibility for a wide
variety of applications. To evaluate the performance of the u-blox
7 multi-GNSS platform, evaluation kits supporting all u-blox 7
based chips and modules can be ordered.
