Texas Instruments Joins
SnapTrack Forum
(08/12/98; 11:17 a.m. ET)
By Darrell Dunn, Electronic Buyers' News
Texas Instruments has become the 10th
company to join a cross-functional forum
of companies testing a wireless telephone
location-determination solution.
The companies are testing the software
developed by SnapTrack that provides
cellular-aided global positioning system
technology for Code Division Multiple
Access (CDMA), Global System for
Mobile Communications (GSM), and
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
wireless telephone handsets. The software
works in conjunction with digital signal
processor (DSP) chips in the handsets.
"One reason TI became the world leader
in the DSP market is by capitalizing on
every opportunity to enhance our
capabilities incorporating the wireless
location feature into our chips,
particularly in the face of the FCC's
[Federal Communications Commission]
E-911 mandate," said Bob Carl, manager
of Americas marketing for TI's Wireless
Communications Business Unit.
"SnapTrack's solution is attractive to us
because we can leverage it not only for
CDMA phones, but also for GSM and
TDMA markets, allowing us to address
the needs of the wireless communications
industry's three most prevalent digital
transmission systems," Carl said.
In addition to Dallas-based TI (company
profile), other members of the forum
include AirTouch Communications,
Ameritech Cellular, Bell Mobility, GTE
Wireless, PrimeCo Personal
Communications, Sprint PCS, US West
Wireless, LG Information and
Communications, and VLSI Technology.
The group's purpose is to evaluate cost
factors and integration issues and conduct
field trials of SnapTrack's patented
technology.
The SnapTrack solution is expected to add
about $5 to $10 to the cost of the handset,
and have minimal impact on device
weight and size.
The solution is expected to help carriers
meet the FCC mandate requiring them to
provide the location of wireless 911 calls
to public safety answering points by Oct.
1, 2001. |
