RF Micro Devices Inc., provider of proprietary radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) for wireless communications applications, has announced production shipments of the RF8900. According to RF, the RF8900 is the industry's first sole-source "converged" Bluetooth/Global Positioning System (GPS) solution. Through its ability to integrate both Bluetooth communication and GPS technology into a complete system solution, RFMD's RF8900 is said to enable a 20 percent reduction in size and a 25 percent reduction in cost. The RF8900 is shipping a provider of GPS accessory products.
According to the company, RFMD's RF8900 is the enabling technology for "puck-style" devices that transmit location information wirelessly, enabling location-based services to be received by any handheld device with Bluetooth technology and associated mapping software. The RF8900 includes a host processor that runs both the GPS navigation and Bluetooth communication functions. The RF8900 includes all system integration functions customized for high-volume applications.
The RF8900 is a integrated system solution incorporating Bluetooth wireless technology and GPS navigation technology with the signal sensitivity of -155dBm. The signal sensitivity of the RF8900 enabling the RF8900 to track GPS signals down to -155dBm, while maintaining a one-second position update rate. High signal sensitivity allows the end user to locate their position virtually anywhere, including areas where GPS signals are weak, fading or obstructed, such as light indoor environments and outdoor areas where there is foliage, tall buildings or mountains.
This solution is offered to customers with a reference design that includes all software, filtering, memory, reference frequencies and antennas required for a complete Bluetooth/GPS system solution. Accessories enabled by the RF8900 provide GPS data (position, velocity and time) to handheld devices over a Bluetooth link. The solution is designed to interface with Bluetooth-enabled PDAs, cell phones and personal computers.
RF Micro Devices, Inc. :
http://www.rfmd.com.
