Trimble & Voxson to Develop Small, Low Power Wireless Communications Module with GPS

SUNNYVALE, Calif., and BRISBANE, Australia, Sept. 12, 2002 - Trimble and Voxson Limited, a developer and manufacturer of digital wireless communications technology, today announced that they have signed a development agreement to combine Trimble's Global Positioning System (GPS) technology with Voxson's Global Systems for Mobile (GSM)/General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) wireless communications modules.

By merging Trimble's and Voxson's technologies, the companies will be offering small, low powered, location-enabled communications functionality for wireless mobile products. The products will be marketed to manufacturers of wireless handsets, PDAs, and Pocket PCs as well as vehicle security, asset tracking and automobile electronics systems. 

"The joint development with Trimble represents an opportunity for integrating GPS location functionality with GSM technology. We are adding GPS without increasing the size or changing the form factor of our existing GSM/GPRS engine module (37x32.5x5.2mm)," said Andrew Churchill, Voxson's chief executive officer."This is significant step; it provides our customers with a seamless upgrade path. The agreement is a very positive move for Voxson along the technology curve and it reinforces our goal to become a leading innovator in the mobile evolution." 

As part of the joint technology development, Voxson will integrate Trimble's innovative FirstGPSÔ chipset into its V-Power portfolio of GSM/GPRS wireless modules that provide voice and data connectivity. They are tri-band, small in size (form factor), flexible, low power and competitively priced. Voxson's V-Power engine module, as well as being one of the smallest in the world, is one of the first GPRS engine modules that is configurable up to GPRS Class 12. 

Trimble's tiny chipset, which is based on its FirstGPS architecture, provides powerful GPS positioning performance through tighter integration to the host product and lower power usage than previously possible. 

"Trimble is extremely pleased to be working with Voxson. We are setting a new standard for the integration of GPS and GSM technology in regard to size, power consumption and functionality, " said Dennis Workman, vice president and general manager of Trimble's Component Technologies Division. "GSM has the most extensive global coverage of any wireless air interface. Both Voxson and Trimble believe there will be significant interest for the combined technology module in the portable device, fleet management, telematics and asset tracking markets." 

About Voxson Limited
Voxson Limited is a publicly listed company with headquarters in Brisbane, Australia. Voxson, founded in 1969, develops and manufactures GSM, GPRS modular engines, and customized feature sets of wireless devices. 

About Trimble
Trimble is a leading innovator of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. In addition to providing advanced GPS components, Trimble augments GPS with other positioning technologies as well as wireless communications and software to create complete customer solutions. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has more than 2,000 employees in more than 20 countries worldwide. 

For more information: http://www.trimble.com and http://www.voxson.com.au

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory:  You need to integrate GPS into GPRS as well as CDMA handheld devices. May we expect Trimble to strike another one for CDMA 1xRTT CDMA networks?