THALWIL, Switzerland, Feb. 25, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the release of a new surface-mount GSM transceiver module "LEON", u-blox is pleased to announce its entry into the rapidly expanding embedded GSM/GPRS market. When combined with u-blox's standard GPS modules, OEMs now have a one-stop solution that merges GPS positioning and tracking with the power to communicate over the world's largest mobile network. The module is ideal for cost-sensitive industrial applications such as fleet management, asset and personnel tracking, vehicle recovery, point-of-sales terminals and metering.
"Establishing core competencies in both GPS and GSM is a key part of u-blox's strategy to provide the smallest, highest-performance, most cost-effective module solution to the fast-growing mobile tracking market. Customers are increasingly demanding GPS with mobile connectivity to locate, track and manage valuable assets. The combined GSM/GPS technologies from a single supplier will meet our customers' needs for faster time-to-market, and lower production costs," said Thomas Seiler, CEO of u-blox.
LEON operates as a stand-alone GSM transceiver module or together with u-blox's GPS modules via a simple I2C interface allowing for a simple interface of both modules via one single UART. It is the first of a series of cellular surface-mount modules from u-blox. The modules' small footprint of only 18.9 x 29.5 x 2.84 mm and SMT pads on only two sides of the package results in simple mounting, cheaper PCB layout and easier quality control as compared to Ball-Grid or Land-Grid Array solutions. LEON features a low current consumption (1.6 mA in standby mode), and wide operating temperature (-30 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius). The module supports GPRS class 10 as well as voice communications (e.g. for emergency services) and comes equipped with embedded TCP/IP stack and AssistNow client.
For samples of the LEON module and further information, please contact our sales representatives. Production ramp up is targeted for Q3 2009.
Visit u-blox at CeBIT, Hall 15, Booth G36 to learn more.
(A high-resolution picture is available from http://www.u-blox.com/news/leon.jpg)
About u-blox
u-blox is a fabless semiconductor positioning solutions provider for the automotive, mobile communications and infrastructure markets. u-blox develops chips and complete modules based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) including GPS and GALILEO. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Switzerland, the u-blox group is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has offices in the USA, in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. For more information, please visit www.u-blox.com.