FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Sept.
20, 2002 –
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), working with IBM Microelectronics, today
introduced Motorola Instant GPS, a breakthrough technology for
adding accurate location sensing to virtually any vehicle at half
the cost of current systems.
Motorola Instant GPS is a self-contained,
single-chip, assisted global positioning system (A–GPS) receiver.
The device measures 7mm x 7mm, small enough to fit into almost any
automotive application and easily added to existing platforms.
Because of its compact size and affordability, the Instant GPS makes
the technology available to all classes of cars and trucks. Until
now, GPS technology as original equipment has traditionally been
limited to high-end vehicles.
"With the combined technology of Motorola and
IBM, GPS systems will no longer be confined to luxury vehicles. In
fact, the Instant GPS chip costs less than adding power mirrors as
an option," said Jacqui Dedo, vice president and general
manager of worldwide market operations, Motorola Automotive.
"The device is smaller, less expensive and consumes less power
than alternative two- or three-chip systems, making location-enabled
devices such as E-911 compliant cellular phones possible and opens
up a whole world of other automotive applications."
Motorola Instant GPS is the first truly single-chip
GPS solution in the world, combining Motorola's GPS design with
IBM's leading-edge silicon germanium (SiGe) chip-making technology.
The companies worked together to integrate IBM's technology to
optimise the design. IBM plans to manufacture new GPS devices for
Motorola, with sample quantities planned for first quarter 2003 and
full production parts planned for second quarter 2003.
"IBM’s technology enabled Motorola to reach
its performance goal of detecting GPS signals so faint they'd be
comparable to those received in Detroit from a light bulb burning in
Tokyo," said Walt Lange, associate director for foundry
services, IBM Microelectronics. "Our silicon germanium
technology can be used to combine the function of many chips into
one, helping reduce size and power consumption, while improving
performance. Our work with Motorola is another example of our
commitment to making advanced technologies available to our foundry
customers."
"Functioning at 20dB greater than today’s
systems, the Instant GPS is extremely sensitive, allowing vehicles
to be located virtually anywhere, including under dense trees, in a
parking garage, or even a chop shop," said Tim McCarthy,
director of positioning systems for Motorola Telematics. "The
Instant GPS also can service consumers in just four seconds compared
to current GPS systems which can take up to two minutes to warm
up," he added. "It’s like having instant heat on a cold
winter morning."