FSA01

FSA01 - FALCOM Smart antenna

The FALCOM FSA01

The new product is a combination between a GPS receiver from FALCOM based on the newest GPS-chip from SiRF and the Quadrifilar Helix antenna from Sarantel with in the dimension of the Sarantel Geohelix-S-antenna. The antenna is tightly integrated with other antennas, e. g. Bluetooth/GPS-receivers or GPS/GSM mobile phones. The orientation of the device is random. As a dielectrically loaded antenna, the complete device acts its own filter, attenuating signals from common GSM and ISM frequencies by as much as 30 dB without external filtering.

The integrated GPS receiver is based on the newest GPS Navigation engine from SiRF, the GSC3LTf. This chip contains the industry loading SiRFstarIII GPS DSP core in 90 nm process technology operating at 1.2 V. 4 on-board voltage regulators and the integrated Power On Reset reduces solution footprint. The device contains also a LNA with a noise figure of 0,7 dB and a gain of 18 dB.

A SAW filter increase the attenuating against signals from GSM and ISM frequencies. Beside the integrated 4 Mb program flash for customized software, the GSC3LTf has a 4 Mb ROM available for masking stable firmware. The TCXO will a frequency stability of 0,5 ppm allows a sensitivity of -159 dbm. The small size, the high sensitivity and the power consumption from only 27 mA at 3.4 V (under 10 mA in Trickle Power Mode) providing manufactures of cellphones, PDAs and other portable and wireless devices a smaller design with extended battery life.

FSA01 downloads

Facts

GPS receiver tracking: L1, CA code, 20 channel
max. update rate 1 Hz
max. altitude / velocity <60.000 ft / < 1.000 knots
protocol support NMEA, SiRF binary
   
Time to first position (TTFF) hot start: <4 sec average (23 dbHz sensitivity)
warm start: <35 sec average (28 dBHz sensitivity)
cold start: <45 sec average (16 dbHz sensitivity)
   
GPS datum WGS-84    
Processing core ARM7/TDMI, 90 nm, 1.2 V
memory: 4 Mb Flash, 4 Mb ROM
   
Electrical characteristics power supply: 3.3 V - 5.5 V
power consumption: 90 mW (3.3 V) full power
30 mW (3.4 V) trickle power (1 sec)
   
Antenna quadrifiliar helix
frequency 1575.42 MHz
gain -3.5 dBic
efficiency 23% total spherical
efficiency 45% upper spherical
beamwidth 120 degrees
VSWR < 2.0 : 1
   
Dimensions
(Antenna & GPS receiver)
length 50.8 mm
width 14.8 mm
helix diameter 13.2 mm
   
Required space on customers
application board
length 23 mm
width 16 mm