Fastrax Introduces Ultra-Compact OEM GPS Receiver with Integrated Patch Antenna
Fastrax Ltd., a provider of OEM GPS receivers and positioning software with industry-leading features, today introduced the uPatch100, an OEM GPS receiver module with integrated patch antenna, at the ION GPSS conference in Long Beach, California.
Helsinki, Finland; Long Beach, CA (PRWEB) September 24, 2004 -- (ION GNSS Show) -- Fastrax Ltd., a provider of OEM GPS receivers and positioning software with industry-leading features, today introduced the uPatch100, an OEM GPS receiver module with integrated patch antenna, at the ION GPSS conference in Long Beach, California.
The ultra-compact uPatch100 module is the first Fastrax GPS product based on a Sony chipset. The module measures only 28 x 28 x 7 mm and integrates a high-performance passive patch antenna. With its small footprint and advanced features, the uPatch100 is ideally suited for mass-market consumer products that require a cost-effective, high-performance OEM GPS receiver with standard GPS data output.
The uPatch100 module will be available from Fastrax distributors during the fourth quarter of 2004. Typical end-user applications of the uPatch100 include GPS mouse" type smart antennas, PDA accessories and other portable tracking and navigation devices that can benefit from the design possibilities offered by the integration of a patch antenna element into the GPS receiver module.
The new uPatch100 is ideal for customers looking for the simplicity and out-of-the-box functionality of an integrated receiver-antenna module," said Mr. Matti Räty, President and CEO, Fastrax. The uPatch100s small size and superior price-performance ratio offer unmatched value for applications that do not require the extended functionality of a programmable OEM GPS receiver."
The uPatch100 is very easy to use. The user needs only to connect the main power supply and battery backup supply to make the unit functional. Low power mode is achieved simply by interrupting the main power supply at any time, and the receiver will resume normal operation once the main power supply is reconnected.
The uPatch100 offers a typical Cold Start TTFF (Time to First Fix) of 38 seconds. State-of-the art signal acquisition and tracking circuitry enables weak signals to be tracked reliably even in difficult environments. Output of standard NMEA0183 GPS data can be customized using a proprietary ASCII protocol. The uPatch100 can be factory configured for either RS232 or CMOS level serial interface.
The uPatch100 OEM GPS receiver board complements Fastraxs existing uPatch02-L and uPatch02 Antenna Pack products, which offer even higher performance in a slightly larger 45 mm x 45 mm PCB form factor. The uPatch02 product family is based on Fastraxs iTrax02 GPS receiver module, which is among the lowest power consuming 12-channel GPS receivers on the market.
More information on Fastrax products and distributors is available at http://www.fastrax.fi
NOTE TO EDITORS: Fastrax is an exhibitor at the ION GNSS conference, held September 21-24, 2004 at Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA (Booth #515/517).
Fastrax contact:
Mr. Matti Räty
President / CEO
Tel. +358 400 431 124
matti.raty@fastrax.fi
Fastrax agency contact:
Netprofile Tech PR
Mr. Juha Rantanen
Tel. +358 9 6812 080
juha@netprofiletechpr.com
About Fastrax Ltd.
Fastrax provides industry-leading receivers and software solutions for optimal utilization of GPS (Global Positioning System) and other GNSS location services (Global Navigation Satellite Systems). Fastrax transforms GPS technologies into highly scalable iTrax and iSuite solutions with open interfaces, combined to ultra low power consumption and miniature hardware design.
With industry-leading performance, Fastrax GPS receivers navigate continuously even in extreme conditions. Receivers are ideally suited to both industrial location applications and high-volume consumer products such as cell phones and sports accessories. Fastrax Engineering Services provide expert services in application design.
Headquartered in Finland and founded in 1999, the company is privately owned and backed by leading venture capital investors CapMan, Eqvitec, Startupfactory and Innocap, with a strategic investment by Suunto Corporation, a subsidiary of Amer Group, a leading global supplier of sporting goods equipment.
More information: www.fastrax.fi.
Global Positioning System (GPS) is a worldwide satellite navigation infrastructure funded and controlled by the U.S. Department of Defense, originally developed for U.S. military purposes. GPS provides satellite signals that enable GPS receivers to calculate their exact position and velocity. The GPS infrastructure has three segments. The space segment consists of 24 satellites that orbit the earth every 12 hours. The control segment consists of tracking stations located around the world, with the master control station located at Falcon Air Force Base in Colorado. The user segment consists of GPS receivers and users utilizing the information provided by the system. GPS is widely used in applications such as marine navigation.
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