Newsletter 2010

u-blox news | Page 1

Contents

u-blox launches world’s smallest 3.75G module: LISA

u-blox introduces automotive GSM module: LEON-G100

LEON adapters available

u-blox 6 GPS chips and modules in volume production

u-blox introduces LEA-6R GPS module with advanced Dead Reckoning

Connected world selectsu-blox as one of the mostinnovative providers of M2Mand connected devices

Case study consumer: Con-tour launches world’s first hands-free GPS video camera using u-blox technology

Case study automotive: Seoul Commtech relies on u-blox GPS for advanced, feature-packed multimedia navigation

Case study industrial: Trakm8 selects u-blox GPS & GSM for advanced telematics solution

Thomas Seiler - CEO, u-blox

October 2010

u-blox newsu-blox 6 in volume production, and launch of the world’s smallest 3.75G wireless module Previous Issue

Dear Readers:

The 3rd quarter of 2010 has seen major positive developments at u-blox, including being voted one of the most innovative technology providers of M2M and connected devices by Connected World magazine. It is an honor to receive this recognition and we are especially pleased that our customers can immediately benefit from our innovation.

This award follows our launch of the world’s smallest 3.75G wireless module family, LISA. The family of UMTS/HSPA modems supports the fastest globally available mobile commu-nications standard. LISA provides wireless Internet connectivity even faster than ADSL to enable on-the-go applications such as mobile computing, car infotainment and telehealth systems. Its compact form factor is perfect for sleek, portable connected devices such as netbooks, tablet computers and e-readers.

In our GPS activities, the smooth ramp-up to volume production and increased capacity for our u-blox 6 generation GPS receiver chips and of our NEO and LEA GPS module families means we are ready to meet the huge demand for the industry’s leading GPS technology. u-blox 6 is the fastest, most sensitive and lowest power GPS receiver platform on the mar-ket. The family combines the best of u-blox technology, with increased sensitivity, higher update rate, embedded Assisted GPS client, and direct interface to our 2G and 3G wireless modules while maintaining backwards compatibility with previous generation u-blox 5.

Another important development at u-blox is the further adoption of automotive qual-ity grade for both GPS chips and wireless module families. Combined with our industry-leading Automotive Dead Reckoning (ADR) solution and automotive grade 2G and 3G modules, u-blox provides key positioning and communications technology to automotive suppliers of navigation, emergency call, car infotainment and vehicle telematics systems.

The future of electronic devices is clear: smaller, faster, lower-power, location-aware and wirelessly connected. At u-blox, we are at the forefront of these technologies, providing the key components to allow you to differentiate your products and out-perform your competition.

Ultimately, your success is our success!

Sincerely

Thomas SeilerCEO, u-blox

Page 2 | u-blox newsPage 2 | u-blox news

u-blox launches world’s smallest 3.75G moduleSurface-mount UMTS/HSPA wireless modem family supports broadband 3G standards worldwide

u-blox is pleased to announce LISA, a new family of small, ultra-fast wireless mo-dems. LISA enables a wide range of high-bandwidth applications such as mobile computing, car infotainment, telematics systems and hand-held terminals where wireless high-speed Internet connection is essential.

The module family also provides secure data exchange to support sensitive appli-cations such as automatic meter reading,

fixed wireless terminals, telehealth, remote displays and point of sales terminals.LISA is an ideal solution for ultra-portable devices requiring high speed wireless con-nectivity.

Key specs:• Uplink data speeds of up to 5.76 Mb/s

(HSUPA)

• Downlink data speeds of up to 7.2 Mb/s (HSDPA) using UMTS/WCDMA technology

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE

• Compact 33.2 x 22.4 x 2.7 mm surface mount package

• Available with automotive features such as eCall compatibility and auto-motive quality grade.

The family includes variants supporting dual-band UMTS frequencies in EMEA/Asia and the Americas (900/2100MHz and 850/1900MHz) plus versions dedicated to data-only applications. All LISA modules are optimized to work with u-blox’ GPS receivers via direct interface. LISA follows u-blox’ highly successful LEON 2G module, and is layout compatible to enable mount-ing of either module on the same PCB footprint.

LISA samples and evaluation kit will be available in early Q1, 2011. For more information, visit the LISA webpage or contact the u-blox sales office nearest you.

u-blox introduces automotive GSM moduleLEON-G100 Automotive perfect for Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), Emergency Call

services. In addition, it is ideal for after-market applications including road pricing,wireless toll collection, pay-per-use insur-ance and AVL / fleet management systems.

The LEON-G100 Automotive supports in-creasing automotive industry requirements worldwide for built-in AVL and emergency call systems in new cars. Combined with our automotive-grade GPS receiver chips, u-blox now provides the key components for both mobile communications and global positioning to support vehicle safety and security systems worldwide.

The module fulfils specific quality require-ments of the automotive industry such as extended temperature range, level 3 PPAP, and ISO/TS 16949 certified manufacturing sites.

LEON-G100 Au-tomotive samples are available mid-October 2010, with mass production planned for Q1 2011. For more in-formation, visit the LEON Automotive product webpage.

An evaluation kit, the EVK-G26H, is available to evaluate LEON and its simple integration with a u-blox GPS receiver.

For datasheet and engineering samples, please contact the u-blox office nearest you.

The LEON-G100 Automotive is a surface-mount automotive quality grade GSM/GPRS modem designed for use in first-mount car telematics applications such as emergency call (e.g. eCall), Stolen Vehicle Recovery and wireless driver assistance

The LEON-G100 Automotive GSM modulesupports a wide range of in-car applications such as AVL, emergency call, wireless toll collection

and driver assistance systems

LEON-G100Automotive GSM/GPRS

module from u-blox

LEON adapters availableAdapters provide mechanical and electrical footprint compatibility with popular wireless modules

To simplify the evaluation of u-blox’ LEON family of GSM/GPRS modems, u-blox pro-vides physical adaptors that allow mount-ing of LEON onto PCB footprints of many popular 2G modems: Telit GE864, Cinte-rion MC55, MC55i, AG3S, EE3S, EG3S,

EG5S and BG3S, SIMCOM SIM300D, SIM340D and Motorola G24. u-blox can also assist with adaption of AT commands to help you evaluate the features of LEON.

To order an adaptor, please contact theu-blox office nearest you.

LEON AdaptorC19-G100 for

Cinterion MC55/55i

u-blox news | Page 3u-blox news | Page 3

u-blox introduces LEA-6R GPS module with advanced DRStand-alone module interfaces directly to sensors to deliver accurate positioning in cities and tunnels

u-blox announces the immediate availability of LEA-6R, a next-generation GPS module based on the latest u-blox 6 platform. The surface-mount module comes with u blox’ pro-prietary “Automotive

Dead-Reckoning” (ADR) technology integrated.

The module is designed for after-market devices requiring uninterrupted naviga-tion even during poor GPS signal recep-tion such as in tunnels, park garages and deep urban canyons. When GPS satellites are out of sight, location is extrapolated using distance and angle information taken directly from gyroscope and speed

pulse sensors. This makes LEA-6R an ideal solution for applications such as fleet and asset management, road-pricing and insurance systems as well as Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL).

The LEA-6R is a stand-alone, self-calibrat-ing solution requiring no host integration. It easily adapts to all vehicle types, allow-ing pulse input via direct analog signal or via USB or UART. It is both hardware and firmware compatible with the previous generation LEA-4R.

The module, which comes in a 22.4 x 17 x 2.4 mm surface mount package, is based on the u-blox 6 GPS chipset and is manufactured at ISO/TS 16949 certified sites. Qualification tests are performed as stipulated in the ISO16750 standard:

“Road vehicles – Environmental conditions and testing for electrical and electronic equipment”.

For complete technical details please visit the LEA-6R webpage or download our Dead Reckoning whitepaper “u-blox’ Dead Reckoning for Automotive Applications”.

An evaluation kit, the EVK-6R, as well as samples may be ordered via u-blox’ Online Shop.

u-blox’ LEA-6R:Stand-alone GPS

module with embed-ded Dead Reckoning

The LEA-6Rinterfaces directly

to the vehicleodometer and

gyroscope

u-blox 6 GPS chips and modules in volume productionFastest, most sensitive and lowest power GPS receiver platform on the market

u-blox is pleased to an-nounce volume productionof all u-blox 6 GPS chips and modules and availability of samples and evaluation kits via our Online Shop. u-blox 6 delivers industry-leading GPS performance

in terms of sensitivity, power-consumption, and time to first fix. Highlights: 35% acquisition current reduction, faster ac-quisition in weak signal conditions, signal sensitivity improved by 3 dB, intelligent power management, Power Save Mode, backwards compatibility with u-blox 5 and ANTARIS 4 modules, plus automotive grade chips and module with advanced embedded Dead Reckoning.

GPS Module samples and kits now available on u-blox’ Online Shop:www.u-blox.com/en/online-shop.html

GPS chips:• UBX-G6010 single-chip or UBX-G6000/ G0010 chipset: contact u-blox for samples

GPS modules:• NEO-6 Family: NEO-6G, NEO-6Q, NEO-6M• LEA-6 Family: LEA-6H, LEA-6S, LEA-6A• AMY-6M: contact u-blox for samples

Timing and Raw Data module:• LEA-6T: GPS module with precision timing

GPS module with integrated Dead Reckoning:• LEA-6R: GPS receiver for automotive add-on devices

GPS evaluation kits:KickStart/TCXO:• EVK-6H: supports LEA-6H,

LEA-6S, NEO-6G, NEO-6Q

Standard crystal:• EVK-6P: supports LEA-6A and NEO-6M

Dead Reckoning:• EVK-6R: supports LEA-6R

Precision Timing:• EVK-6T: supports LEA-6T

u-blox 6GPS receivers:

industry leading performance,available now

For a summary of u-blox support tools and documents, visit our resources webpage.

u-blox is pleased to have been included in this elite list of vendors by Connected World magazine. Chosen by the editors, the list provides a guide to companies truly making a difference in connected devices and M2M. Companies appearing on the list are chosen from hundreds of

firms, both private and publicly traded. The criteria for the listing include: sales and earnings growth, contribution to the connected-devices space, and innovation in multiple markets served during the past 12 months.

Annual award honors firms demonstrating market traction and pursuing game-changing technologies in connectivity

Connected World selects u-blox as one of the most innovativeproviders of M2M and connected devices

Page 4 | u-blox news

Imprint: Publisher / Copyright: October 2010 u-blox AG, Thalwil, Switzerland.

Case study consumer:Contour launches world’s first hands-free GPS video camera using u-blox technology

World’s small-est, wearable video camera adds location, speed and elevation to ad-venture videos

Contour, a Seattle-based market leader in hands-free video cameras, has selected u-blox’ GPS technology to usher in a new era of location-based video. The addition of u-blox GPS to the ContourGPS video camera adds a new layer of storytelling enabling consumers to show their friends

where they went, track their journey, and discover new places to go.

ContourGPS integrates a u-blox 6 GPS module and takes advantage of u-blox’ AssistNow Offline accelerated GPS tech-nology to achieve the fastest possible fix. It works with Contour’s Storyteller soft-ware to enable surfers, skiers, and bikers to shoot and edit up to 8 hours of crisp, location-enhanced 1080p HD video with synchronized location, speed and elevation graphically displayed. Users can upload their videos to Contour’s Community web-site to share their videos online.

Additional features include 4 video modes, high-definition camera mode for still photos, omni-directional microphone, and patented “slide and lock” feature for quick and easy mounting.

For more information, visit the ContourGPS website.

Case study industrial:Trakm8 selects u-blox GPS & GSM for advanced telematics solution

Comprehensive fleet management platform increases efficiency while reducing risk and costs

Trakm8, a UK-based provider of end-to-end telematics solutions deployed around the world has launched an advanced remote vehicle monitoring system which relies on u-blox’ leading GPS and wireless module technology.

The web-based system, Trakm8 Swift, provides fleet operators with comprehen-sive realtime and historical vehicle location and vehicle data information. One of Trakm8 Swift’s key features is its ability to connect to the vehicle CAN bus. This enables a wide range of information to be monitored to optimize utilization and cost effectiveness of fleets by measuring everything from fuel usage, CO2 emissions to driver behaviour.

Swift also offers a wide range of security and safety features all of which can be communicated and managed remotely by the fleet manager.

The Trakm8 telematics platform relies on u-blox’ LEON GSM and NEO GPS mod-ules which are at the heart of the Trakm8’s on board vehicle tracking units. u-blox’ combined GSM and GPS technologies allowed Trakm8 to benefit from u-blox’ GPS and wireless know-how to simplify design-in, accelerate time to market, and streamline production logistics.

For more information about Trakm8, please visit www.trakm8.com

Seoul Commtech’s MPEON Live 3D multifunction PND based on the

latest u-blox 6 GPS technology

Case study automotive:Seoul Commtech relies on u-blox GPS for advanced, feature-packed multimedia navigation

Sleek MPEON Live 3D enhances navi-gation with accelerated GPS, wireless toll collection and digital entertain-ment centre

Seoul Commtech, a member of the Korea-based Samsung Group, has chosen u-blox as its partner for embedded GPS technology.

Seoul Commtech’s award-winning “MPE-ON Live 3D”, is a compact, multifunction Personal Navigation Device (PND) which combines u-blox’ UBX-G6010 single-chip GPS receiver with u-blox’ AssistNow online aiding data to guarantee ultra-fast 3D positioning, even in areas of poor GPS satellite reception. The AssistNow data is available throughout the country over

Korea’s Digital Multimedia Broadcast (DMB) network.

Additional features include integrated electronic toll collection to facilitate “drive-through” payment for road usage, high quality digital TV (DMB) and advanced multimedia player.

The MPEON Live 3D delivers unprecedent-ed positioning performance as well as automatic toll collection and rich digital entertainment features.

u-blox’ LEON GSM/GPRS and NEO GPS modules are at the heart of the Swift fleet management

system from Trakm8