Motorola Automotive Announces Revolutionary Single Chip GPS Device

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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 optimize 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."

About the Technology

Continuing Motorola's tradition of high quality reliable Oncore(TM) GPS solutions, Instant GPS sets the standard for innovation and ease of use. Other features include:

Simple Integration

The interface between the Instant GPS chip and the host processor is kept simple, allowing customers to separate the microprocessor and GPS designs. This eliminates demanding interrupt structures found in embedded GPS receivers, allowing a faster time to market.

Highly Compatible

Instant GPS can be used with industry standard mobile-centric assist messages for compatibility with almost any cellular network. By not completing its position calculation in the network, the device eliminates network overhead and potential issues associated with network centric GPS systems.

Low Power Consumption

Instant GPS consumes a small amount of power, which can be further reduced with an extensive array of power management modes such as position-on-demand. Utilizing the customer configurable software power management tools, Instant GPS can be placed in standby, further reducing power consumption.

Single Mixed Mode Device

Fabricated in IBM's leading 0.25-micron SiGe process, the Instant GPS breaks new ground by integrating both the 1.5GHz RF front end and the digital baseband processing into a single die. Measuring 7mm x 7mm with minimal external components required, Instant GPS leads the market for smaller, low cost, high performance A-GPS.

Low IF Architecture with Fractional Synthesizer

Designed with a Low Intermediate Frequency (IF) RF architecture to improve jamming immunity, Instant GPS enables easier co-location with transmitters such as GSM and Bluetooth(TM) wireless technology. An onboard fractional synthesizer allows existing 12 to 26MHz reference oscillators within the target product to be reused. In addition, a separate reference oscillator is not required for functionality, allowing for substantial cost and space saving benefits.

Future Compatible

Instant GPS is able to withstand the demands of increasing miniaturization and reductions in operating voltage. Able to support 1.8v to 3.3v interfaces, Instant GPS allows flexibility in processor selection and requires no redesign demands in the event of a die shrink in the host processor.

Instant GPS also can be easily added to many consumer electronics products enabling a wide range of consumer mobile information products to have positioning capability. This technology makes a new generation of products possible, such as cameras that time- and location-stamp photos, PDAs with maps and real-time navigation, E-911 compliant cellular phones with emergency assistance that can find friends, family members, restaurants and nearby stores with goods on sale.

Motorola Automotive

Located in Farmington Hills, Mich., Motorola Automotive is a leading, global supplier of automotive electronics, telematics, communications, and software systems. Motorola Automotive is a division of Motorola Integrated Electronic Systems Sector (IESS), a leading provider of advanced electronic products and systems for customers integrating electronics into their products.

With annual sales of approximately $30 billion, Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions. More information can be found at www.motorola.com/automotive . For more information on Motorola's GPS products, please visit www.motorola.com/gps .

About IBM

IBM Microelectronics is a key contributor to IBM's role as the world's premier information technology supplier. IBM Microelectronics develops, manufactures and markets state-of-the-art semiconductor and interconnect technologies, products and services. IBM makes chips for a wide range of devices from the world's most powerful computers to the smallest cell phones. Its superior integrated solutions can be found in many of the world's best- known electronic brands. More information about IBM Microelectronics can be found at: www.ibm.com/chips .

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