New GPS reference design supports advanced functionality

Mistral Software Inc. introduced its next-generation Navigation Reference Design (NRD) that promises to provide product developers with a quick start for their next-gen GPS devices with enhanced wireless capabilities.

Incorporating SiRF Technology Holdings Inc.'s latest SiRFstarIII GPS chipset, the NRD supports SmartST navigation software from Navman NZ Ltd and incorporates four RF modules: GPS, GSM/GPRS, WLAN and Bluetooth on a single board running Microsoft Windows CE on Texas Instrument's OMAP5912 processor. Mistral has designed the NRD to provide product developers with an easy-to-use platform to simulate or test their GPS and wireless applications. The company estimates the reference design can save developers four to six months in their design cycle.

The GPS functionality on the board is provided using SiRFstarIII along with SmartST navigation software from Navman. The SiRFstarIII GPS chipset is designed to provide superior location performance, both indoors and out, for 2G, 2.5G and 3G asynchronous networks. In addition, the SmartST software is capable of running sophisticated routing options, map detail and extended points-of-interest database. The NRD supports 802.11g, Bluetooth and mobile telephony.

Potential markets for this product include automotive, consumer, medical, industrial, sporting goods and gaming terminals.

- Janine Love
eeProductCenter