GPS Module Consumes Less Power

Oct 1, 2008 5:25 PM, MD&D News Staff

The Jupiter 30 xLP GPS module from Navman Wireless OEM Solutions is now available in production quantities. Incorporating the 65-nm SiRFstarIII GSC3e/LPx chipset, the module consumes up to 30% less power than previous designs. It is well-suited for location-specific applications that demand very high GPS sensitivity.

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Available with active or passive GPS antennas, the Jupiter 30 xLP includes an ultra-high-sensitivity 20-channel mode GPS receiver that offers indoor position fixes and tracking capabilities of –159 dBm. Other key features include SiRFLoc multimode GPS support for improved fix availability and more than 200,000 effective correlators for improved indoor fixes and tracking capability. It also has a 0.5-ppm temperature-compensated crystal oscillator for optimal performance, an integral low-noise amplifier with low-power control, and on-board flash memory. The module employs an ARM7 32-bit CPU.

The Jupiter 30 xLP also offers a user-selectable satellite-based augmentation system, an 82-mW average power draw at 3-V operation, and brownout detection. It also complies with the European Union’s Restrictions on Hazardous Substances. The module measures 25.4 by 25.4 by 3.0 mm and weighs less than 4.0 g. Operating temperature ranges from –40°C to 85°C, and it is rated for 95% non-condensing humidity. The device can operate at altitudes from –305 to 18,000 m. The Jupiter 30 xLP module’s acquisition performance is 0.5 s (hot start), 31 s (warm start), and 33 s (cold start).