Receiver modules increase GPS options

Receivers expand multiplatform concept, offering a common form factor between multiple OEM GPS receivers based on different chipsets
Fastrax has added to its iTrax and uPatch product families. Based on the ultrasensitive SiRFstarIII (GSC3f/LP) chipsets and with 8Mbit internal Flash memory, the new iTrax310 GPS receiver module enables high-performance navigation in the most stringent applications and a solid fix even in extremely demanding GPS environments
The iTrax310 OEM GPS receiver provides the high performance levels of the iTrax300, including low acquisition sensitivity (-143dBm), navigation sensitivity (-158dBm) and power consumption (110mW at 3.0V), but with a 30% smaller form factor.

iTrax310 receivers are ideally suited for both industrial navigation systems and battery operated consumer products such as handheld computers, vehicle navigation devices, sports accessories and mobile phones.

The new uPatch300 is an ultrasmall GPS receiver module with an integrated and already optimised patch antenna element.

Based on the SiRFstarIII (GSC3e/LP) chipset, the uPatch300 includes an 8-pin system connector and a UFL antenna connector for an optional external antenna.

The new uPatch130 GPS receiver has also an already integrated and optimised patch antenna and the same form factor and connectors as uPatch300, but is based on the Sony CXD2985 single chip.

As it is programmable with iSuite 3 SDK, the uPatch130 facilitates customer cost savings by enabling the programming of applications on the existing ARM 7 core.

As all uPatch GPS receivers, the uPatch300 and the uPatch130 offer very high navigation performance in a compact cost-effective design.

The receivers are ideally suited for navigation and recreational devices as well as GPS mouse type applications in which high performance and low cost are key issues.

The new uPatch receivers are form factor and pin compatible, which further extends the multiplatform concept introduced within the iTrax family.

'The three products now introduced significantly strengthen the Fastrax iTrax and uPatch GPS receiver offerings'.

'The iTrax310 reduces the size of surface mount GPS receivers even further and is definitely one of the smallest GPS receivers available on the market'.

'The uPatch300 and uPatch130 expand Fastrax's multiplatform concept, which is the first in the industry to provide a common form factor between multiple OEM GPS receivers based on different chipsets'.

'Customers have varying requirements and by strengthening our GPS offering we are able to serve more customers even better than before'.

'Many customers have expressed interest in a product like the uPatch300', said Taneli Tuurnala, President and CEO, Fastrax.