Conexant Brings Low-Cost GPS Capability to Mobile Computing Devices
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2000 6:18:00 AM EST
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Sep 21, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Conexant Systems Inc. CNXT, Thursday
announced a new high-performance global positioning system (GPS) satellite receiver solution, designed to help
manufacturers add low-cost GPS capability to personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops and other mobile
computing devices.
Conexant's highly integrated solution -- complete with a GPS receiver, antenna and optional plastic casing --
provides customers with a flexible GPS offering for devices with either serial port (RS232) or universal serial bus
(USB) interfaces.
"Customers who do not have the resources to develop and build custom GPS sensors for this growing market can
use Conexant's new TU70 family to help quickly bring serial cable or USB products to market," said Lars Boeryd,
GPS product line manager for Conexant's Wireless Communications Division.
Recognized as the world's premier navigation satellite system, GPS is a 24-satellite constellation that allows users to
pinpoint their exact location anywhere on the planet in real time. Originally developed for military applications, GPS
applications are becoming more mainstream, moving into consumer applications.
"Consumer GPS applications are hot -- being used for automobile navigation purposes and outdoor recreational
activities, including hiking, running and golfing, to help consumers track where they are and how to get where they
are going," said Ray Jodoin, group manager of wireless technology for Cahners In-Stat Group. "We expect to see
more than a 10-fold increase in wireless location products by 2004."
Building on its 30-year history in the GPS market, Conexant's robust, high-performance TU70 family is available in
three versions that make it easier to design GPS capability into OEM solutions, or to add complete plug-and-play
GPS capability to PCs and other serial-based applications.
The serial and USB solutions, noted below, make it possible to add GPS to a PC or laptop via a single cable that
provides power as well as a data interface.
-- GPS Satellite Receiver Board (TU70-D100-041): Module-level
"smart" antenna (electronics plus antenna) product includes a
simple board with GPS components and a CMOS data signal
interface.
-- GPS Satellite Receiver Solution for Serial Cable Products
(TU70-D200-001): Full-assembly product for serial cable
interface devices comes complete with GPS components, "smart"
antenna and plastic housing. The RS232 serial cable and
connector includes a "y" connection to the PC PS2 port that
provides power to the receiver solution.
-- GPS Satellite Receiver Solution for USB Products
(TU70-D20-011): Full-assembly product for USB interface
devices comes complete with GPS components, "smart" antenna
and plastic housing. The included cable and connector also
supplies power for the GPS solution from the PC USB port.
A hardware accelerator option is also available for the TU700-D200 products. This option, which improves GPS
performance and maximizes battery life, enables search times of less than 10 seconds -- providing the fastest
satellite acquisition in the industry.
Samples of Conexant's TU70 GPS family will be available in November with volume production slated for January
2001. In quantities of 5,000, the TU70-D100-041 is priced at $62.90, the TU70-D200-001 at $85.90 and the
TU70-D20-011 at $96.90.
Visit the company at the GPS ION'00 Show -- Booth No. 112 in Salt Lake City, Sept. 19-22, 2000.
About Conexant Systems Inc.
With revenues of approximately $2 billion per year, Conexant is the world's largest independent company focused
exclusively on providing semiconductor solutions for communications electronics.
With more than 30 years of experience in developing communications technology, the company draws upon its
expertise in mixed-signal processing to deliver integrated systems and semiconductor products for a broad range of
communications applications.
These products facilitate communications worldwide through wireline voice and data communications networks,
cordless and cellular wireless telephony systems, personal imaging devices and equipment, and emerging cable and
wireless broadband communications networks.
The company aligns its business into five product platforms: Network Access, Wireless Communications, Digital
Infotainment, Personal Imaging, and Personal Computing. Conexant is a member of the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100
Indices. For more information, visit Conexant at www.conexant.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains statements relating to future results of the company (including certain projections and
business trends) that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: global and market conditions, including, but not limited to, the
cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the markets addressed by the company's and its customers'
products; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products; successful development of new
products; the timing of new product introductions; the availability and extent of utilization of manufacturing capacity;
pricing pressures and other competitive factors; changes in product mix; fluctuations in manufacturing yields; product
obsolescence; the ability to develop and implement new technologies and to obtain protection for the related
intellectual property; the successful implementation of the company's diversification strategy; labor relations of the
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including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission
filings. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no
obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise. Other brands and names contained in this release are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Conexant Systems Inc., Newport Beach
Carol Thornton, 949/483-7413
carol.thornton@conexant.com
or
Benjamin Group/BSMG Worldwide
Heather McLaughlin, 949/260-1300
heather_mclaughlin@benjamingroup.com |
