Receiver module serves needs of automotive sector

The single module incorporates GPS, Russian-based Glonass, Japanese QZSS and SBAS.

In addition to currently supported global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs), the IT600 is designed to support positioning systems such as European-based Galileo and Chinese Compass/Beidou2 in the future.

Enabling both GPS and Glonass generally doubles the number of visible satellites compared with using GPS only, reducing the time to first fix and increasing positioning accuracy, especially while driving in urban canyons.

The Fastrax IT600 is claimed to provide a high level of reliability and accurate positioning, even in challenging environments.

Advanced dead reckoning estimates the position of the vehicle when satellite signals are unavailable - which inevitably happens in tunnels and parking garages.

The IT600 can utilise an analogue gyro and odometer pulse and can later be complemented with a digital three-axis gyro and differential wheel pulse from a vehicle's CAN interface in order to compensate for the possible unavailability of GNSS signals.

The Fastrax IT600 features 32 dedicated tracking channels that are dynamically assigned to acquire and track a mix of GPS, Glonass, QZSS, Galileo and Compass/Beidou2 signals.

The module is able to operate normally with only one GNSS or utilise several systems simultaneously.

The Fastrax IT600 is based on the ST Teseo II GNSS chipset (STA8088EX), marking the first time a Fastrax module is based on a chipset from STMicroelectronics.

The support for multiple GNSS systems and advanced dead reckoning enables module customers to benefit from additional satellite systems and improved tracking capability and accuracy, without having to make different designs for different markets.

The Fastrax IT600 features the same small form factor as other Fastrax IT multiplatform modules: 16.2 x 18.8 x 2.3mm.

However, the pin-out is different.

The low power consumption of 80mW is further decreased with the ability to turn off unused tracking channels.

Samples of the Fastrax IT600 will be available in September 2011, and volume production is estimated to start in October 2011.