FALCOM announces volume production of the FALCOM JP7-T family 09.07.04 10:23

FALCOM announces the volume production status of the FALCOM JP7-T family of embedded GPS modules with an integrated Temperature Compensated Oscillator (TCXO). The GPS core architecture is based on the SiRFstarIIe/LP chipset and supports SiRF's XTrac software package. The device concept is targeting at critical GPS applications that require high sensitivity like positioning in narrow row of houses, densely wooded areas and partially even in buildings. The improved sensitivity characteristic contributes to the substantial improvement of the overall performance of the system solution, provides additional system design flexibility and reduces the total cost of the hardware.

The JP7-T family consists of three members - the JP7-T, JP7-TB and JP7-TC. All of them have identical electrical and RF-performance but offer different pin-out and mounting features. The JP7-T has a form factor of 25.4 x 25.4 x 3 mm is pin-compatible to the well known FALCOM JP7 GPS module and allows easy upgrade of the performance of existing FALCOM JP7 system solutions. The JP7-TB has form factor of 25.4 x 25.4 x 3.3 mm and can be handled like a BGA component during the surface mounting process. This circumstance allows improved technological handling and quality control under high volume production conditions as well as the creation of more compact integrated products due to the reduced size of the JP7-TB carrier board. Compared to the JP7/JP7-T concept the device offers additional I/Os and thus can support the entire portfolio of SiRF firmware versions incl. SiRFDrive software package. The JP7-TC is targeting at applications that prefer to use board-to-board connection to the main system PCB. With its form factor of 25.4 x 25.4 x 5.2 mm it offers perfect combination between small form factor and improved flexibility for smaller and medium sized projects as well as improved after-sales-support handling. The JP7-T family concept builds perfect basis for the design of high-sensitive, low-power, compact and cost efficient state-of-the-art GPS enabled system solutions like hand-held devices, navigation, tracking and security systems and others. In addition to the standard firmware package set provided by SiRF Inc. FALCOM prepares an enhanced firmware version that includes a complete configurable GPS history function. The GPS history tool has the capacity to handle up to 100.000 records. The number of visible satellites, distance, time and speed can be used as parameters for the configuration of the profile of the stored GPS data. FALCOM will provide a Java history tool that allows to configure and read out the stored data of the GPS receiver. The first release of this extended version is scheduled for quarter 3/2004. Please click here for more detailed technical information.