New Global Positioning by Satellite (GPS) Chipset from Atmel and Magellan

Atmel and Magellan announced the availability of a ATR0663, new Global Positioning by Satellite (GPS) chipset based on ARM926EJ-S™ microprocessor, designed to simplify the design, and drive down system costs, for the rapidly expanding market for navigation devices and recreational applications.

Key features of ATR0663:

• The GPS engine based on  Magellan’s GPS technology, give fast acquisition of satellite signals, with a hot start in less than 2 seconds, and the high tracking sensitivity (-159 dBm). 
• LCD controller and 2D graphics accelerator, support up to 2048 x 2048 pixels,
• AC97 audio controller,
• Image sensor interface.
• I/O options including Ethernet, USB 2.0 Full Speed Host and Device, SD/MMC, TWI, and USARTs provide a highly-targeted System-on-Chip (SoC).
• Dual external bus interface and 9-layer bus matrix  for fast memory access and high throughput.

The companion ATR0603 RF receiver IC maximizes the performance of the new GPS engine while combining low cost and low power consumption of only 12 mA in operation.

Also compatible for use with the new chipset is Atmel’s existing ATR0610, a fully-integrated, low-noise amplifier manufactured using Atmel’s innovative Silicon-Germanium (SiGe) process to cope with challenging reception environments and enabling cost-sensitive passive-antenna designs.

Matthias Kaestner, Atmel’s Marketing Director for Communications Products:

The release of this new RF receiver and ARM926EJ-based device sets a new standard for the combination of high-performance GPS with a complete system processor that has all the peripherals necessary to meet the needs of the growing PND market. It is an ideal complement to our automotive-grade ANTARIS™ GPS solution…

Mike Mouser, Senior Technical Director for the Magellan OEM Business:

Atmel’s new hardware is optimized to run Magellan’s most powerful software platform to provide PND makers with a complete navigation and mapping solution powered by a single SoC. PND suppliers can use this hardware and software platform to provide solutions with a customized look and feel for diverse markets,"

Samples of the ATR0663 (324-pin TFBGA package), ATR0603 (24-pin QFN package), and  ATR0610 LNA (6-pin PLLP package) are available.

Magellan:

Magellan (formerly Thales Navigation) is a leader in the consumer, survey, GIS and OEM GPS navigation and positioning markets. Recognized as an industry innovator, the Company is the creator of the award-winning Magellan RoadMate™ series portable car navigation systems, the Magellan eXplorist® outdoor handheld navigation devices, the Hertz NeverLost® car navigation system and ProMark™, the best-selling single frequency GPS survey product line on the market. The company is recognized worldwide through its Magellan brand and has experienced dramatic revenue growth as GPS technology has proliferated across a range of consumer and commercial applications. The Company is privately held and headquartered in San Dimas, California with European headquarters in Carquefou, France.

More Atmel’s GPS ATR0663 information: http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=3990.

Source: Atmel, September 27, 2006