Atmel and u-blox Provide New Indoor-Capable GPS Signal Tracking Technology for Handheld and Automotive Products

High Signal Sensitivity Also Allows Cost-Effective Automotive Applications

HEILBRONN, Germany and THALWIL, Switzerland, June 14 -- Atmel(R) , a global leader in the development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions, and u-blox AG announced today the availability of a new GPS weak signal tracking technology, called SuperSense(TM), supporting Atmel's ANTARIS(TM) GPS chipsets and GPS modules from u-blox.

With this new GPS software, accurate GPS navigation becomes possible in building interiors, deep urban canyons, covered roads and other locations where GPS reception has previously been impossible. Previously such areas prevented effective GPS navigation due to systems' inability to effectively receive faint GPS tracking signals.

SuperSense targets mass-market, automotive and handheld, FCC E-911 Phase II-compliant GPS product applications. Of particular benefit is the high sensitive dynamic navigation performance of existing and future ANTARIS-based chipsets from Atmel and modules from u-blox. Because of ANTARIS SuperSense- based products' sensitivity, antennas can be moved to a vehicle's interior, allowing products with integrated antennas mounted in glove compartments and under seats, thus reducing automotive GPS installation costs when compared with systems requiring a separate, external antenna.

The ANTARIS GPS engine, jointly developed by Atmel and u-blox, is also ideal for indoor GPS reception. The 16-channel ANTARIS features 8,192 simultaneously operating time/frequency search windows. This substantially improves acquisition sensitivity for stand-alone and A-GPS operation, enabling satellite search and position calculation in previously GPS-dead areas. SuperSense combines superior tracking sensitivity beyond -158 dBm, low power consumption and high navigation performance. It is available as beta release when purchasing the SuperSense Evalkit or the TIM-LH GPS module. It will support the complete ANTARIS GPS portfolio from Atmel as well as TIM-LH modules from u-blox.

The Atmel ANTARIS chipset (ATR0600, ATR0610, ATR0620) uses external Flash memory to control u-blox's SuperSense. The complete GPS electronics module provides exceptional tracking of weak signals and can be integrated into a single platform applicable to multiple products thus eliminating redesign of critical RF electronics.

"The arrival of SuperSense adds a new dimension of competitiveness to our ANTARIS GPS solutions," said Uwe Barthelmes, Atmel's marketing director for communications products. "It's another example of the excellent cooperation between Atmel and u-blox."

"Since its introduction last year, SuperSense continues providing superior GPS sensitivity to our customers' products," adds u-blox CEO Thomas Seiler. "We are pleased to deliver leading GPS positioning technology to the market. We are glad that we partner so successfully with Atmel."

For more information about the ANTARIS Chipset, please contact Atmel. For further information on TIM-LH GPS modules and SuperSense, please contact u- blox.

   Footnote
   A-GPS = Assisted GPS
   FCC E-911 Phase II = Mandatory localization of mobile phone emergency
    calls
   GPS = Global Positioning Systems
   TIM-LH = SuperSense GPS Module for Weak Signal Tracking from u-blox

  About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere You Are(R).

About u-blox

u-blox is an international company headquartered in Switzerland, with sales organizations in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Founded in 1997, u-blox develops leading positioning products based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) for the automotive and mobile communications markets. For more information, please visit http://www.u-blox.com/ .

NOTE: Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, Everywhere You Are(R) and others, are registered trademarks or trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and product names may be trademarks of others.

Information

Atmel's GPS product information may be retrieved at: http://www.atmel.com/products/GPS/

   Atmel Press Contacts
   Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
    Products
   Phone: +49 7131 67-2081, Email:  susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com
   Ford Kanzler, Manager of Corporate Press Relations - USA and Asia
   Phone: +1 408 436 4343, Email: fkanzler@atmel.com
   Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager - Europe
   Phone: +33 1 30 60 70 68, Fax: +49 7131 67-2423, Email:
   veronique.sablereau@atmel.com