U-Blox GPS Module for Smartphone

U-blox (Switzerland) has closed a deal that sees its LEA-4S GPS module included in a smartphone produced by Tranzda Technologies Co. Ltd. The PM328 is a NEWPLUS Linux-Core smartphone that integrates phone, PDA, GPS and other multimedia entertainment functions in a product that is 16 mm thin.

The PM328 has an embedded GPS engine, voice navigation software and maps of 400 cities. This enables users to easily locate and navigate to any location using nothing but their mobile phone. The PM328's WAP 1.1 / 2.0 browser means users can search for restaurants, museums, cinemas, or similar on the Internet and then use the phone's GPS functionality to navigate to the chosen location. Other features include a USB interface, Bluetooth support, and Data Synch functions that enable SMS, contacts, email and music synchronization with the user's PC.

Tranzda chose u-blox' LEA-4S GPS module for its performance and power consumption of 38 mA that ensures the smartphone has a long battery times. The LEA-4S measures a mere 17 x 22.4 mm and comes with U-Blox’s SuperSense, 158 dBm technology that enables coverage indoors and other difficult signal environments where other positioning engines lose the GPS signal and interrupt tracking.

The LEA-4S's small size and SMT pads allow for fully automatic assembly processes with standard pick-and-place equipment and reflow soldering, enabling cost efficient, high volume production. Moreover, the module supports A-GPS services such as u-blox' AssistNow Assisted GPS solutions that ensure instant positioning anywhere, anytime.

The competitively priced PM328 smartphone is now for sale in China and can
be bought from www.powermobile.com.cn. Other u-blox and Tranzda joint
developments will follow as the two companies continue to deliver innovative
mass-market mobile solutions.