October 2, 2006 13:48 - Software GPS
GPS receiver elements
A classic GPS receiver is built with the following blocks:
Antenna
GPS Front-end IC (the analog part)
GPS Baseband IC (the digital part)
Application Processor with Memory
Input/Output
In the front-end... Read more...
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October 8, 2006 13:38 - How to prevent the huge costs of Laptop Computer Loss or Theft?
For companies, big and small, the loss or theft of a laptop computer can be a real catastrophe. Probably not the cost of the hardware, but the value of confidential information, stored in the computer can cause lots of troubles, when falling in the wrong hands.
For a nominal monthly fee that pales in comparison to the financial cost of lost laptops, MyLaptopGPS uses GPS to track these machines when they are lost or stolen. The product also installs software that encrypts and silently removes the important files from them—returning these electronic documents to the rightful user while placing them out of a criminal’s reach.
MyLaptopGPS uses a proprietary Internet homing technology and data transfer protocol to facilitate covert hardware tracking and data recovery.
How does it work?
1) Install MyLaptopGPS on your computer. The software runs covertly.
2) When the computer is stolen, alert the SafeRecovery Team immediately via telephone or log into your account and report the stolen machine immediately, right on the web.
3) As soon as the thief connects to the Internet, MyLaptopGPS locates your machine and removes all of your important files, right under the thief's nose, and returns those files to you via fully-encrypted transfer to a secure data center.
4) The system emails you to alert you of initial thief tracking as well as initial file recovery.
5) You may login to your account to download recovered files.
6) MyLaptopGPS continues to track your machine whenever it is connected to the Internet. Information about the global physical location of your stolen machine is relayed to law enforcement of jurisdiction in order to facilitate a surprise strike/raid on the thief's position if possible, in which case your actual computer itself is returned to you.
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October 15, 2006 13:00 - Other GPS tracking approaches
Different from blackbox GPS tracking
Not exactly Do-it-yourself GPS tracking, but still different from the classical approaches.
TrackFinder
TrackFinder is an application for the last generation of the smartphone Treo by PalmOne ( Treo 600 and Treo... Read more...
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October 24, 2006 19:19 - TV signals boost GPS
Rosum Corporation, known from their TV-GPS development has teamed up with Global Locate, a leading producer of Assisted-GPS chips, and announced the general availability of the Rosum TV+GPS Hybrid Positioning Module (HPM). The HPM combines the indoor and urban reliability of Rosum’s TV-positioning technology with the sensitivity and accuracy of Global Locate’s Hammerhead A-GPS chip to deliver highly reliable and accurate location in all environments: indoor, outdoor, dense urban, and rural.
The HPM integrates TV and A-GPS ranging information so that any combination of three or more TV towers and GPS satellites can be used for positioning. Rosum’s hybrid TV+GPS solution also enhances the performance of the A-GPS engine itself by providing it with accurate time and frequency assist information which substantially improves GPS acquisition time and sensitivity. The result is unparalleled availability and accuracy for tracking and navigation applications. Further, the HPM provides altitude information to enable reliable indoor and outdoor 3D positioning.
Rosum is the first and only company to use unmodified broadcast TV signals for position location of mobile assets. The Rosum solution is uniquely suited to safety-of-life applications that require always-available position location in urban and indoor settings. Rosum is also the first to combine TV and GPS signals for robust situational awareness in all environments.
Earlier this month Rosum announced that it had completed the rollout of its reference network across the Northeast Corridor of the United States. The rollout was completed with Intrado Inc., a global provider of integrated data and telecommunications solutions and leading provider of VoIP E9-1-1 services. The expanded geographical footprint will provide Rosum customers contiguous coverage from the National Capitol Region to New Hampshire, enabling extended support of automotive and nomadic applications.
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October 24, 2006 20:48 - Unlock your hotel room with a NFC-enabled cell phone
Thanks to VingCard's Signature RFID guests will be able to use their Near Field Communications (NFC) compliant cell phones to open their guest room doors. But what is more is that hotels and hotel chains will be able to send a booking confirmation number, room number and an encrypted room key via SMS (Short Message System) to a guest's NFC-cell phone.
This is really remote check-in. Prior to the arrival at the hotel the guest receives this SMS, avoiding long lines at check-in. You can walk straight to your room.
NFC is being implemented in the new generation cell phones this year.
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