Press and News - 07.11.2000

Software Enhancements for u-blox GPS receivers introduced at Electronica show in Munich

u-blox, a Swiss manufacturer of miniaturized subsystems, completes its portfolio of GPS receivers with new Software Enhancements that offer additional functionality with no additional external hardware required. In addition to the already popular GPS receiver with integrated datalogger u-blox announces a GPS receiver with an AT Command interface and integrated GSM modem controller.

A typical application for Fleetmanagement, AVL or Tracking requires position information and communication with a central office. The traditional setup requires a GPS receiver, a GSM modem and an external controller. This controller reads positions from the GPS receiver and controls the modem. Incorporating the control of the GSM modem into a GPS receiver spares the extra processor, which simplifies the system design and saves cost. With the AT Command Option for GPS receivers u-blox offers an integrated control system for GSM modems. This control system is designed for autonomous operation. External requirements are only a power supply and antenna for GPS and GSM.

The AT Command Option is a Software enhancement to a standard u-blox GPS receiver. The AT Command Option is available for all u-blox GPS receivers (GPS-MS1E and GPS-PS1E).

A GSM modem is directly connected to the serial port of the receiver, which controls the GSM modem. So minimal external wiring is necessary to get a fully functional system to send position information via GSM (SMS, data connection).

The GSM control software is event driven. For each event an action and the data transmitted can be defined. Events (triggers) may be the output of the GPS engine (positi-on, time) or an external signal. Various configurable trigger are available such as Timer, Distance, Area, Digital IO and external events. If the conditions for a trigger are met, the assigned action will be performed. This assignment is set during the configuration of the GSM control software. The possibility to configure an action, enables the customer to suit the GPS receiver with the integrated AT Command Option into his own application easily.

All Software Enhancements for the u-blox GPS-MS1E and GPS-PS1E are fully compatible to standard u-blox GPS receivers and to be configured through the serial interface. They are designed for autonomous operation whereas only a minimal external circuitry and no external controller are required. In addition it supports a sub-set of the AT command set for the control of GSM modems. SMS messages, data connections and voice calls are autonomously triggered by GPS or external events.

About u-blox

Founded in 1997 as an ETH Zurich spin-off, the electronics company u-blox develops integrated circuits for GPS modules embedded in electronics systems for the automobile industry and consumer articles. The GPS global positioning system enables precise location within a few metres anywhere in the world by using satellite signals as a reference. u-blox is already well established on the market as a manufacturer of high-performance GPS receivers with low power consumption. These are installed for example in car navigation systems. u-blox was founded by the current management team Daniel Amman, Claus Habiger, Andreas Thiel, Prof. Dr. Gerhard Tröster and Jean-Pierre Wyss. The company now has 25 employees, most of whom are development engineers, and sales for this year are expected to reach 20 million DM. u-blox plans to double its sales and human resources next year.

Further information