Alpha Micro expands GPS receiver chip and module portfolio with launch of u-blox 6 – the market’s fastest and most sensitive GPS solution

Alpha Micro Components today announced that it has added to its product portfolio the high sensitivity u-blox 6 range of GPS receiver chips and modules. This new range features the latest SuperSense® technology from u-blox capable of tracking weak GPS signals, as low as 160 dBm, while also offering GPS acquisition sensitivity of -147 dBm from a cold start. u-blox 6 is a versatile, stand-alone GPS receiver that combines an array of features with flexible connectivity allowing for easy integration in a wide variety of applications including smartphones, geotagging cameras, personal locators, advanced vehicle navigation and fleet and asset management systems.

In addition to GPS, the u-blox 6 range has been future-proofed through its design which supports the forthcoming European satellite system GALILEO. While maintaining the fastest GPS acquisition time on the market, u-blox 6 offers extended battery life through its ultra low-power operational design and provides the ideal solution for a broad range of consumer, automotive and industrial applications. It can also be used in a range of M2M applications when delivered alongside u-blox wireless modem

u-blox 6 has been designed to be drop-in compatible with the u-blox 5 range which allows for easy upgrade migration from the popular range and builds on its success through new design features and enhancements including:


* 35% reduction in GPS acquisition time
* Faster acquisition in weak signal condition (3GPP compliant)
* Signal sensitivity improved by 3 dB
* Intelligent power management with Power Save Mode
* 60% power saving at 1 Hz update rate
* Integrated support for u-blox’s revolutionary Capture & Process technology for instant location capture
* Supports u-blox AssistNow Online and AssistNow Offline A-GPS services and is OMA SUPL compliant

Christos Papakyriacou, Managing Director at Alpha Micro, said: “The u-blox 6 range has set new benchmarks for GPS technology with its market leading sensitivity and dramatically extended battery life, ease of integration and improved speed. It enhances our current product offering in this growing market sector and also complements Alpha Micro’s comprehensive portfolio of components which includes antennas and wireless modules. u-blox 6 builds upon the success of u-blox 5 and, with its lower power, higher performance and cost effective pricing, I am confident that customers will welcome this new addition to the family.”

u-blox 6 is a lead free module series that is built to withstand extreme environments and has an industrial temperature range of -40 to 85oC. Its 50-channel architecture allows for an extremely fast acquisition time, and with separate acquisition and tracking devices it is capable of performing massive simultaneous searches.