Air Semiconductor touts low-power GPS solution
While digital camera makers are eying GPS as a feature that can help differentiate their next-generation products, power consumption will be an issue makers must address, according to Stephen Graham, VP of marketing at England-based GPS chip startup Air Semiconductor.
GPS solutions have traditionally targeted automotive applications, where power consumption is not an issue, and standard GPS chips consume between 50-100mA, Graham pointed out. Air Semiconductor, on the other hand, is developing a GPS chip that consumes 1mA on average. Therefore, although GPS chips are making their way into battery-operated solutions (mostly handsets), the technology is not always active, as the power drain would be too great. The GPS is only activated when using specific applications, such as when calling emergency services (when used in handsets), Graham explained.
Using a model where the GPS remains inactive in the digital camera market would pose some problems, as it would take time for the GPS receiver to calculate a position fix (handsets use assisted GPS through the cell network) and many photos are taken indoors, where it may be difficult to get a satellite fix, Graham argued. However, because of its low power consumption, the Air Semiconductor solution can always remain active, which would allow users get an approximate location when they are indoors, or get an instant reading when outdoors.
The Air Semiconductor solution conserves power by trading off power consumption for accuracy when accuracy is not needed. For example, a general location within a few hundred meters is always maintained when the camera is off, but when an application is activated, such as when a picture is taken, the GPS will provide accurate location up to a few meters.
Graham indicated Air Semiconductor is receiving good feedback from digital camera makers, but the product will not be available for mass production until the third quarter of 2009.The solution will be an SoC, whose functionality will including RF, DSP and power management. The chip will be manufactured by TSMC on a 0.13-micron process.
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GPS solutions have traditionally targeted automotive applications, where power consumption is not an issue, and standard GPS chips consume between 50-100mA, Graham pointed out. Air Semiconductor, on the other hand, is developing a GPS chip that consumes 1mA on average. Therefore, although GPS chips are making their way into battery-operated solutions (mostly handsets), the technology is not always active, as the power drain would be too great. The GPS is only activated when using specific applications, such as when calling emergency services (when used in handsets), Graham explained.
Using a model where the GPS remains inactive in the digital camera market would pose some problems, as it would take time for the GPS receiver to calculate a position fix (handsets use assisted GPS through the cell network) and many photos are taken indoors, where it may be difficult to get a satellite fix, Graham argued. However, because of its low power consumption, the Air Semiconductor solution can always remain active, which would allow users get an approximate location when they are indoors, or get an instant reading when outdoors.
The Air Semiconductor solution conserves power by trading off power consumption for accuracy when accuracy is not needed. For example, a general location within a few hundred meters is always maintained when the camera is off, but when an application is activated, such as when a picture is taken, the GPS will provide accurate location up to a few meters.
Graham indicated Air Semiconductor is receiving good feedback from digital camera makers, but the product will not be available for mass production until the third quarter of 2009.The solution will be an SoC, whose functionality will including RF, DSP and power management. The chip will be manufactured by TSMC on a 0.13-micron process.
source
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