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50-channel GPS module series can acquire signal in 1 sec

Parallel search engines pair with assisted-GPS technology for consumer products

Swiss GPS chip and module maker u-blox has introduced the LEA-5 GPS module series, which it based on its fifth-generation positioning engine, u-blox 5. Fast acquisition time is possible, the company says, due to the module’s 50-channel GPS architecture, with over 1 million correlators and separate acquisition and tracking engines, capable of massively parallel searches. When used with u-blox' AssistNow A-GPS service, the u-blox 5 chip and module generation achieves the headline performance of satellite acquisition in under 1 sec. Acquisition and tracking sensitivity is -160 dBm, and the modules feature an industrial temperature range of -40 to 85°C; they can be automatically assembled with standard pick-and-place equipment and reflow soldering.
The LEA-5H comes with a Flash EPROM that enables firmware upgrades and set-up configuration changes; a ROM-based version reduces costs. Both modules feature u-blox’ OMA SUPL compliant A-GPS interface and support AssistNow Online and AssistNow Offline A-GPS services.