SAN JOSE, Calif.-Mixed-signal integrated circuits developer Maxim Integrated Products signed a licensing and royalty agreement for Parthus Technologies plc’s NavStream single-chip global positioning system radio, designed specifically for implementing GPS in cellular handsets and automobiles.
The NavStream platform includes an SiGe RF, 0.18 complementary metal oxide solution GPS/Bluetooth Multi-Mode RF, a NavStream Baseband and NavStream Protocol Stacks.
“Clearly, location-based technology is a core application to the mobile Internet,” said Eric Munroe, executive director of Maxim’s Wireless Business Unit. “There are tremendous opportunities for those companies that get products to market first, which is a key advantage in licensing NavStream from Parthus.”
Financial terms of the agreement were not released.
In other GPS news, Conexant Systems Inc. recently announced a high-performance GPS satellite receiver solution designed to help manufacturers add low-cost GPS location capabilities to personal digital assistants, laptop computers and other mobile computing devices.
Conexant said the solution is available as a GPS Satellite Receiver Board, a module-level antenna that includes a simple board with GPS components and a CMOS data signal interface; a GPS Satellite Receiver Solution for serial cable products complete with antenna, plastic housing and a “y” connector to the PC PS2 port providing power to the receiver solution; and also a GPS Satellite Receiver Solution for USB products including a cable and connector supplying power from the PC USB port.
A hardware accelerator option is also available, designed to improve GPS performance and maximize battery life.
