Archived news extracts about GPS and Wireless Technologies 2005

Here is our GPS/Wireless News archive for 2005.

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December 31, 2005. WiQuest Communications has announced the availability of its WQST110 and WQST101 chipset. The company claims that it is the industry's first commercially-available, high-performance silicon delivering wireless communication that speeds up to one gigabit-per-second. Based on the WiMedia UWB physical layer (PHY) and media access controller (MAC) specifications, the WQST110 builds upon and extends the performance capabilities of UWB communications systems to a new level, providing a solid foundation for high-speed wireless cable-replacement applications.

The companion WQST101 radio frequency (RF) transceiver chip combines with the WQST110 to provide the first complete UWB solution for manufacturers of PC and peripheral systems, consumer electronics, home entertainment, portable gaming, multimedia platforms, mobile devices and more. In addition to the new chipset, WiQuest is also announcing the immediate availability of the WQST100EVK, a complete UWB system evaluation kit that contains silicon and software for customer assessment, testing and product development. The WQST110/101 chipset provides full compatibility with existing USB peripherals and systems, thereby protecting consumers' existing equipment investments.

The WQST110 is a wireless CMOS integrated circuit (IC) combining baseband PHY, MAC engine, high-speed security processor, quality of service (QoS) manager and a rich variety of host interfaces, all in one highly-integrated design. Designed to optimise the UWB system bill of materials, the WQST110 contains a complete high-speed USB subsystem including controller and transceiver, removing any additional USB component cost. Unlike other UWB implementations, the WQST110 eliminates the need for expensive external memory, and the chip's innovative architecture provides excellent power control and management for longer battery life in mobile devices.

December 29, 2005. Mistral Software has announced design wins based on its Customisable Product Design - Sunada. Released in February 2005, the Sunada is a completely integrated and customisable product design built around TI's OMAP5912 processor. The Sunada can be customised for multiple applications like GSM Phone, navigation, digital audio, gaming, organiser, e-learning, video, internet access, VoIP, VGA camera, jukebox amongst others, enabling end users to harness the true potential of mobile computing.

The ultra-sleek device designed for a slim mechanical enclosure runs WinCE OS on a TI OMAP5912 processor and supports five Radio modules for GPS, GSM/GPRS, WLAN, bluetooth and FM and comes with a Quarter VGA resolution 3" LCD display with a touchpanel and keypad. It also includes a digital camera, SDIO/SD-MMC slot, and a 1" Hard Disk. It is among the first designs to converge five RF modules in one small form factor board based on OMAP5912.

December 28, 2005. Advanced ID Corporation, a Leading Provider of RFID technology solutions as well as the developer of DataTag a new ultra high frequency livestock identification system that provides superior reading distances and greater ease of use to the cattle and livestock industry, reports positive practical applications study results with Colorado Department of Agriculture with multiple herds and roughly 130 tags and readers in use.

Advanced ID Corporation is a complete solutions provider in the radio frequency identification (RFID) market. RFID provides a means for positive identification and trace-back of animals or objects that have been identified with a microchip or RFID tag. The company has realized growth of 62% in the first two quarters of 2005, primarily through the companion animal identification segment; Advanced ID Pet Microchip, the largest provider of companion animal identification in Canada. Since 1994, Advanced ID Corporation has offered a product line of over 100 items comprised of low frequency (LF) RFID microchips, identification scanners, and a proprietary pet recovery network database to the companion animal and biological sciences markets. Advanced ID Corporation supplies over 3,000 organizations such as animal shelters, veterinarians, breeders, government agencies, universities, zoos, research labs and fisheries with LF RFID devices for companion animals, equines, bovines, llamas, alpacas, ostriches, aquatic species, reptiles, migratory and endangered species. Advanced ID Corporation has implanted LF microchips in over 450,000 animals, currently tracks nearly one million animals in a proprietary pet recovery database, and reunites numerous lost pets with their families each month.

Since 2001 Advanced ID Corporation has been developing and commercializing its UHF line of food-animal and wildlife identification products and systems. Advanced ID Corporation continues to be actively involved with government and industry livestock identification and trace-back projects and pilots in Australia, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Thailand, Taiwan and the United States.

December 27, 2005. NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, is offering a map with navigable coverage throughout South Korea through its wholly owned subsidiary, PMI. This offering is another notable achievement in NAVTEQ's initiative to grow its map portfolio and to support its customers' efforts to service the rapidly growing Asian market.

The South Korea map covers 100% of the population (approximately 48 million people) of South Korea, and is a fully navigable roadway map enabling door-to-door route calculations and turn-by-turn route guidance throughout the country. Detailed road network information, such as one-way streets and turn restrictions, is linked to the map, which provides NAVTEQ customers with additional information to create the most efficient routes for their solutions. The map also includes more than 400,000 Points of Interest in more than 290 categories and subcategories, cartographic features (such as parks, waterways and woodlands) and more than 7 million listings from the Korea Telecom business directory.

In July 2005, NAVTEQ acquired Picture Map International (PMI) to establish its presence in and to offer a digital map of South Korea. NAVTEQ continues to focus on expanding its global map coverage, and offering coverage in South Korea is an important part of this initiative. South Korea boasts a rapidly growing automotive sector and one of the most advanced wireless markets in the world. Consumer adoption of location-based services exceeds that for Europe and North America, creating high demand for quality digital map data to serve as a foundation for these services.

December 22, 2005. AirLink Communications, Inc., a pioneer and leading provider of fixed and mobile wireless data solutions, announced another industry first, the introduction and commercial availability of its newest modems designed for CDMA 1x EV-DO wireless networks. The Raven-E and PinPoint-E modems are the first and only rugged intelligent modems available today for EV-DO networks, delivering maximum data speeds up to 2.4 Mbps. The commercial-grade products, which began shipping to customers in early November, have already been certified on Sprint and Alltel networks, and additional carrier certifications are scheduled for completion in early 2006.

The Raven-E and the PinPoint-E are designed with an Ethernet interface to enable easy configuration and installation, as well as take advantage of the higher data rates offered by EV-DO technology. The Raven-E platform is ideal for a wide range of business and industrial applications, such as remote monitoring and automation, primary and back-up data backhaul, disaster recovery, mobile enterprise and sales force automation.

The PinPoint-E combines the robust functionality of the Raven-E with a built-in high-precision GPS receiver and an embedded location service application, which makes it perfect for markets like public safety, AVL, automated dispatch and asset tracking. The PinPoint-E also has a serial connector with available input lines for event monitoring and reporting.

The Raven-E and PinPoint-E EV-DO modems are powered by the AirLink Embedded Operating System (ALEOS) -- the longstanding industry benchmark for reliable and feature-rich embedded intelligence. With extensive capabilities like remote monitoring and configuration, packet-diagnostics and over-the-air firmware updates, ALEOS technology simplifies installation and maintenance of any solution. EV-DO technology enables truly mobile broadband performance with typical data speeds similar to DSL. Combined with the robust intelligence of ALEOS, the AirLink solutions are optimal for countless industrial and enterprise applications that require reliable always-on, pervasive connectivity.

EV-DO stands for Evolution Data Optimized, the 3rd generation or 3G wireless technology from QUALCOMM. Offering high-speed data access to mobile users, EV-DO is also interoperable and backwards compatible to existing CDMA 1x networks, which have a broad nationwide footprint. With typical speeds of 400-700 Kbps and max speeds up to 2.4 Mbps, EV-DO offers a significant performance improvement compared to CDMA 1x.

December 21, 2005. AeroAstro, a microsatellite technology pioneer, announced the successful installation of a new AeroAstro SENS Applique at the ground station in Meekatharra, Australia operated by Globalstar Australia Pty Limited. The unit, one of several new SENS Appliques purchased by Globalstar LLC, will provide coverage to the western region of the continent.

The SENS Applique, an add-on to existing Globalstar ground stations, receives and decodes remote sensing data from field transmitters via the Globalstar LEO satellite network. It digitizes RF signals and extracts SENS message packets despite interference or overlapping transmissions, and transmits these messages through the Internet. The AeroAstro/Globalstar Simplex Data technology provides a total solution that is uniquely affordable and reliable with ubiquitous (outdoor) coverage. AeroAstro and partner AXONN, LLC combine hardware and services to deliver prices, power savings, compact size and ease of use previously unimaginable from satellite communications. To order remote tracking hardware, transmitters, or data management services, please visit AeroAstro's web based storefront at http://www.sensservice.com/.

December 21, 2005. Continuing to drive GPS further into the mainstream market, SiRF Technology Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of GPS-enabled location technology, revealed that its flagship SiRFstarIII GPS technology is at the heart of TomTom's RIDER, a high performance portable navigation system specifically designed for use on motorcycles and scooters. TomTom is a leading provider of personal navigation products and services to the US and European consumer markets.

The TomTom RIDER includes an integrated GPS receiver based on SiRFstarIII technology with 20-channel all-in-view tracking and an integrated GPS antenna. The tough, weather-resistant case fixes easily to any motorbike, motorcycle or scooter, and can be transferred from one bike to another and even to a car. Its simple, easy-to-use touch screen has been designed to work even with gloves, and features an anti-glare face and integrated sun visor that ensures the best view of the screen possible.

With its 200,000 correlators combined with sophisticated navigation algorithms, the SiRFstarIII architecture sets a new benchmark for fast and deep GPS signal search, track and navigate capabilities, making it possible to achieve very fast and robust positioning even through dense foliage and urban canyons.

December 20, 2005. In the event of an earthquake or train derailment that results in mass casualties, hospitals are confronted with simultaneously treating hundreds of patients with varying degrees of injuries. To meet the challenge of managing patients, checking the availability of doctors and locating open beds and medical equipment in wide-scale emergency, Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital in Japan has tested and successfully deployed the Real Time Location System (RTLS) from Ekahau Inc.

The Ekahau RTLS is a mission-critical location tracking solution that easily integrates with Wi-Fi networks that are already in use in many large public and private facilities, such as Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital. Ekahau and IBS Japan Co. Ltd., an Ekahau-certified value added reseller and systems integrator in Japan, installed the Ekahau RTLS with T201 Wi-Fi tags at Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital to support its emergency management operations.

During a recent disaster simulation drill, Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital put Wi-Fi tags on each hospital staff member, so they could be dispatched quickly by finding their location on a central computer monitor. Each casualty in the triage area also was given a tag, so doctors could find the correct patient and maintain real-time treatment information in hospital databases that had been integrated with the Ekahau RTLS. Once the exercise was complete, Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital reported that with the T201 Wi-Fi tags and the Ekahau Positioning Engine, it was able to locate patients and staff with an accuracy of three to five meters.

December 20, 2005. TeleType Company is launching an innovative product that blends cutting-edge vehicle GPS navigation with MP3 player technology. The all-in-one device, called WorldNav 3000 XL, is a portable, in-car navigation system that offers door-to-door GPS guidance with simple spoken instructions. The official launch for the product will take place at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) January 2006.

WorldNav 3000 XL's exciting convergence of portable in-car navigation with the immense popularity of the MP3 player makes it possible for travelers to not only reach their destination with greater efficiency, but to easily carry along their favorite music. There is no other product on the market that offers the exceptional utility, simplicity and affordability of this new piece of gadgetry.

Based on TeleType's award-winning GPS product line, WorldNav 3000 XL is a compact system that weighs less than 8 ounces. The device is user-friendly and simple to operate, making it easy for drivers to get from Point A to Point B. To operate the system, drivers simply touch the screen where a simple menu is presented similar to in-dash navigation systems. The driver is then guided along the desired route effortlessly. Drivers can navigate directly to a point of interest (POI) using the extensive POI database included, or an exact business or home address, or even a desired intersection.

The WorldNav 3000 XL is the latest in a long line of products created by TeleType to provide unique and versatile solutions for land, air and water navigation. Notable innovations by the company include: the first aviation navigation product for use on PDAs in flight, the first program to offer combination vector-based marine and car navigation for Pocket PCs, the first 16-channel Bluetooth receiver with 20 hours of battery life. Pushing the envelope of technology for Pocket PC computing, TeleType created the first program to offer the combination of street, air, water, land navigation with live weather, live traffic, topographic and aerial map support on Pocket PCs and Windows CE devices.

December 20, 2005. I.D. Systems, Inc. announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has published its final report on the company's wireless vehicle tracking/fleet management project at Newark Liberty International Airport. The report concludes that the three-phase project, under which approximately 80 vehicles were monitored, successfully demonstrated that I.D. Systems' RFID-based Wireless Asset Net system is an effective tool for securing and managing vehicles in the radio frequency (RF)-rich environment of a major U.S. airport.

Under the project, more than 100 distinct system elements were tested without a single requirement failure. The system hardware "proved highly reliable" and vehicle access control was extremely effective, with "not one instance during any phase of the trial" of unauthorized personnel being able to operate a monitored vehicle. The system was also found to provide "extensive planning/management tools that permit managers to maximize their resources, leading to a more efficient operation."

December 19, 2005. Bracketron, LLC has launched its new line of Custom Motorcycle Mounts (CMM's) solution, allowing motorcycle operators to enjoy the use of Satellite Radio, GPS, MP3 and other mobile electronics use. This solution allows motorcyclists to mount many mobile devices without drilling, engineering, custom manufacturing there own, one off mount. It also offers a complete solution that mounts on existing motorcycle hardware in just minutes.

Bracketron's consumer research shows that mounting the new electronic device is the major barrier to buying and using of mobile electronic products, with over 60 percent of consumers asked find it difficult to mount their new purchase in a manor that suits them.

Bracetron's website (http:www.bracketron.com) identifies which motorcycle model a user has and accesses the information in a database, automatically offering the correct configuration to the user.

December 19, 2005. Fastrax Ltd., a leading provider of open and portable OEM GPS Software Development Kit environments and programmable OEM GPS receivers, announced a distribution agreement with RUTRONIK Elektronische Bauelemente GmbH, one of Europe's leading broadband distributors for active, passive and electromechanical components in addition to displays and embedded boards.

RUTRONIK represents leading electronics manufacturers in a wide range of product categories. The company will distribute Fastrax GPS products in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Fastrax OEM GPS receivers offer industry-leading benefits in performance, size, power consumption and versatility. Fastrax products enable the implementation of position-aware features into practically any device. The GPS modules are ideally suited for both industrial tracking systems and small battery-operated products such as mobile phones, asset tracking devices, handheld computers and sports accessories.

The Fastrax iSuite 3 SDK can be used to rapidly modify the features and functionality of a GPS receiver, allowing receiver performance and power management to be tailored for any usage scenario. By utilizing the spare CPU and memory resources of the GPS receiver, the Fastrax iSuite 3 SDK can significantly reduce the bill of materials and non-recurring expenses of GPS products.

December 19, 2005. A low cost, high accuracy positioning system, which locates vehicles and other valuable assets, is launched this week by HD Positions. The highly innovative and unique solution, which works across the UK, with coverage inside buildings and containers, uses CPS's Matrix technology and is based on the Orange UK network.

Matrix technology is available from HD Positions. In response to increasing demand from the growing number of location based service providers, for a low cost, robust and easy to implement positioning solution, HD Positions supplies the interface to Matrix, and facilitates related Machine to Machine (M2M) services, including network connectivity, billing and support.

One of the first complete solutions to use the Matrix system is that based around the "Boomerang Box", a robustly constructed device, combining low installation cost and a two year battery life. This is one of the first developed devices beginning to appear which address a wide range of potential applications. The use for such systems is considered enormous, extending to moveable assets which include amongst others, trailers, cars, motorcycles, caravans, and many other valuable assets.

The first end user of the service is the Altrincham based Cartwright group, a leading provider in the UK of vehicle transport solutions. The company plans to install Matrix enabled Boomerang Boxes in their vehicles to meet customer demand for tracking and vehicle recovery. Last year, over 4,000 trailers were stolen across the UK, with associated goods taken totaling more than £1bn.

December 15, 2005. Globalstar, the world's most widely used handheld satellite phone and a provider of satellite voice and data services to business, announced that its independent gateway operator Globalstar Australia Pty Limited plans to offer simplex, or one-way, data services to its customers throughout Australia and New Zealand. This asset tracking and enhanced data processing capability is the result of hardware upgrades to the ground station or satellite gateway operated by Globalstar Australia. The satellite gateway is used to provide Globalstar customers with access to the ground based telephone network via the Globalstar satellite constellation.

The Globalstar simplex data service has been available in the U.S. and Canada since 2003, and throughout Europe, the Middle East and across the north Atlantic region since earlier this year. It is one of the fastest growing Globalstar segments with the number of simplex data subscribers expected to increase in 2005 by approximately 300% to over 20,000 users, with a similar rate of growth forecasted for 2006.

The Globalstar simplex data offering is a low cost, one-way satellite data service that allows customers to use Globalstar simplex modems and integrated back office management solutions to track mobile assets -- such as vehicles, trailers, cargo containers and marine vessels, using GPS or other location-based software. Because of this, it is an ideal solution for marine and fishing vessel monitoring applications. The Globalstar simplex data service can also be used for a wide variety of industrial and security applications to monitor and send information from fixed assets, such as environmental measuring instruments and utility meters, or report the state of various mobile devices and their locations.

Using the Globalstar Satellite network and an approved integrated simplex modem solution, companies will be able to economically monitor their assets from virtually anywhere within the Globalstar simplex coverage area. The data is sent back to a customer's control and monitoring facility via Globalstar's constellation of low-earth-orbiting satellites. This information can be received at any time from remote installations far beyond the reach of ground-based communications systems.

December 15, 2005. Thales has introduced GPSDifferential for ArcPad, a software extension that seamlessly adds the power of post processing to ESRI ArcPad software when used on the Thales MobileMapper CE. With the GPSDifferential for ArcPad software extension, sub-meter post-processed mapping is possible, even where real-time corrections are not available, such as in Central and South America and when used in difficult signal environments required by applications such as forestry.

Behind the scenes and without interrupting normal workflow, GPSDifferential for ArcPad automatically logs the raw data that is required for reliable sub-meter post-processed differential corrections. GPSDifferential for ArcPad is a fully-integrated and easy-to-use extension for ESRI ArcPad 6.0.3 and 7.0.

GPSDifferential for ArcPad software comes on a secure digital (SD) memory card for easy installation on the MobileMapper CE. It is packaged complete with a CD of MobileMapper Office, powerful office software that provides an easy way to view, edit and export GIS data collected on the MobileMapper CE and a quick start guide.

December 15, 2005. Intelligent Spatial Technologies, Inc. (iST), a technology leader in location-based services for mobile users, announced the release of the iPointer Tour Guide software module for its iPointer system. iST's iPointer system empowers users to explore a defined area, pointing and learning at will. As a user selects an item of interest, the iPointer delivers multimedia information based on the user's geographic location and orientation. With iST's Tour Guide module, iPointer system operators create and upload customized tours around specific themes or areas of interest utilizing the software's easy to use tools. Users may then select a tour that most closely matches their interests and iPointer's hand-held unit guides them along the predefined tour via simple graphics and maps, delivering information to the user in full multimedia format.

The iPointer system is comprised of global positioning system (GPS) and digital compass technology integrated into a pocket PC, a wireless network, and iST's geospatial database. This allows users to move at their own pace as they interact with the tour information. When users wish to identify a landmark, they point iPointer's hand-held device at it and press a button. The iPointer device receives coordinate signals from GPS satellites and orientation information from the digital magnetic compass to identify the user's location and device's pointing angle. These coordinates are then sent over the wireless network to the database. iST's geospatial database's selection algorithms identify the selected landmark and send information back over the wireless network to be displayed in text, visuals and audio on the user's device.

December 14, 2005. A group of industry-leading companies announced an advanced Near Field Communication (NFC) trial for mobile phone applications including contactless payments, mobile content and premium arena services at Philips Arena in Atlanta. The trial is the first large-scale test of next-generation mobile phone applications in North America, and is the result of a collaboration between Chase, Cingular Wireless, Nokia, Philips, Visa USA, and ViVOtech, along with Atlanta Spirit, LLC, parent company of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, NHL's Atlanta Thrashers and Philips Arena. The trial has been designed to enable a secure, wireless system that simplifies payment and services for arena visitors.

"By 2010, we expect that over 50 percent of all mobile handsets will incorporate Near Field Communication chips to enable short-range, easy and secure transactions," said Erik Michielsen, director at market analyst firm ABI Research. "As a result, consumers will be able to download content by simply holding their phone close to a poster or advertising billboard. Users can purchase merchandise, food, tickets, and have these transactions charged to a credit card using account information stored in the mobile phone. The NFC implementation at Philips Arena demonstrates NFC stakeholders, including chipmakers, card issuers, device makers, mobile carriers, and content providers, are progressively more willing to collaborate on NFC solution development. This type of co-development is essential to NFC market growth and maturation."

The contactless transactions will create faster and simpler payments at concession stands getting fans out of the lines and back to the game. At checkout, the phone is simply held near a secure reader and the contactless payment transaction is automatically charged to the user via the same secure Visa payment network that processes traditional credit card transactions today.

December 13, 2005. AirTight Networks, the leading provider of wireless perimeter security solutions, announced Release 4.0 of its industry leading SpectraGuard Enterprise products. Release 4.0 includes the AirTight Networks application programming interface (API) allowing easy integration of wireless intrusion detection and prevention capabilities, along with precise device location tracking, into wireless LAN switching systems. In addition Release 4.0 includes new performance monitoring features and new sensors with external antennas for greater monitoring coverage.

The AirTight API encompasses three major components which can be used in various combinations by AirTight's partners and customers. These are:

the AirTight Server API
the AirTight Sensor API
the AirTight Applications API.

The AirTight API is targeted primarily at WLAN switch companies that desire fast integration of best-of-breed wireless intrusion detection and prevention, location services, and advanced monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities. Colubris Networks recently announced several new products based on this integration.

December 13, 2005. AutoFarm, the leader in GPS precision farming, announced the release of the Cultiva OnTrac assisted steering system. Delivering up to 2-inch pass-to-pass accuracy, the system integrates directly with the steering wheel thus eliminating manual steering obstructions caused by friction drive motors. OnTrac affordably installs on nearly all makes and models of tractors and other agricultural vehicles in as little as 30 minutes with basic tools. The Cultiva OnTrac drive integrates with the steering wheel to ensure precise vehicle control in all conditions. The OnTrac is controlled via the Cultiva ATC, which features an 8.4 inch color display providing the operator a Virtual Highway view of the field. Complete with where-applied maps and record keeping functions, Cultiva OnTrac with ATC is a feature-rich steering solution for under $8,500.

GPS assisted steering helps reduce input costs by minimizing skips and overlaps. Operator fatigue is also reduced ensuring consistent performance during peak seasons. Greater accuracy, reduced fuel consumption and increased farm productivity contribute to a rapid payback of less than one year for most growers. The steering system accurately navigates curves and compensates for vehicle tilt on hills, with the optional tilt compensation package. The integrated design allows the operator to safely disengage the Cultiva OnTrac system by simply gripping the wheel.

Existing Cultiva ATC with compatible GPS receiver owners may upgrade the guidance system to OnTrac assisted steering with the purchase of the OnTrac drive unit for $3,495. The system works well in WAAS and OmniSTAR HP differential correction modes. OnTrac will be available in the United States and Australia in late March 2006. The product will be available in Europe following completion of regulatory review.

December 12, 2005. XATA Corporation, the leader in onboard fleet management systems for private fleet transportation, announced that the company was awarded a contract for the deployment of 1400 systems into the fleet of a major government agency. XATA was selected for its unique ability to transform fleet intelligence into bottom line results by reducing fuel costs, improving driver productivity and increasing on-time delivery performance.

XATA systems automatically collect, transform and deliver fleet intelligence throughout the enterprise in an interactive, exception-based format -- unifying all aspects of the fleet to set and achieve higher standards for efficiency, productivity, utilization and customer service.

XATA integrates onboard computing, wireless communications and GPS technologies with powerful software applications to deliver a total fleet management solution that enables fleet owners to significantly lower operating costs while improving overall fleet performance.

December 9, 2005. Blue Marble Geographics announced the release of their new Geographic Map File Translator Version 3.0. This is a limited time only free beta release. The full major update to their translation software will be released before the end of the year, but Blue Marble has decided to make a special pre-release beta version available for a limited time.

Blue Marble, known for their coordinate conversion technology, is also the creator of industry leading map display, image re projection, referencing, GPS tracking, and Internet mapping technology. Their technology is used worldwide by thousands of GIS analysts at software companies, universities, oil and gas companies, civil engineering, surveying, technology, enterprise GIS groups, and military organizations.

The Translator has the latest support for ESRI Shape, MapInfo Tab and MIF, AutoDesk DWG and DXF up to and including 2006, Bentley DGN, and read of ESRI E00 format. The Translator also supports all of the latest updates included in the newest GeoCalc libraries featuring Well Known Text support, .PRJ file support, full EPSG database support, and creation of custom coordinate systems. If your map file has a custom coordinate system with it, the Translator can handle it. The coordinate system data source is also organized into a new geography based ordering that makes it easier to work with for novice users. There is no better coordinate conversion support available for map file translation than that found in the Geographic Translator.

The map file viewer window is also improved to include a full set of standard map viewing tools. The new map file viewer also supports raster formats so you can check your data against your DOQQ image libraries. Blue Marble has also improved the batch translation capabilities to allow for different coordinate systems for different files within the batch or grouping of files based on coordinate system selection, as well as translating files in different coordinate systems to the same coordinate system output.

December 7, 2005. u-blox AG, the leading Swiss provider of innovative GPS receiver technology, announced the release of a new module, the LEA-4H. Powered by u-blox' new ANTARIS 4 positioning engine, and just 17 x 22 mm in size, the LEA-4H offers SuperSense indoor GPS functionality, which enables unprecedented sensitivity, in a compact and efficient package. The module has the same functionality as its SuperSense predecessor, the TIM-LH, with the additional benefit of a USB port. The LEA-4H also consumes 40% less power than its predecessor, features advanced power management options, excellent navigation performance, high sensitivity and an outstanding performance-to-cost ratio.

SuperSense software is able to detect the weakest signals and to provide uninterrupted GPS reception and accurate position calculations in buildings, hidden places in motor vehicles and other locations with obstructed views to the sky. This state-of-the-art technology, which provides acquisition and reacquisition sensitivity of -148 dBm, cold start sensitivity of -142 dBm and unmatched tracking sensitivity of -158 dBm, does so without compromising on power consumption, which stays low at even the weakest signals.

Thanks to advances in hardware and software achieved with the 16-channel ANTARIS 4 receiver technology, ANTARIS 4 chipsets, a joint development of Atmel and u-blox, allow for 40% smaller modules, USB connectivity, full support of WAAS and EGNOS satellites and unparalleled low power consumption. This makes the LEA-4H module ideally suited for battery-operated products such as PDAs, smart phones and other portable devices where size, sensitivity and power consumption levels are critical.

ANTARIS 4 receivers are also endowed with Assisted GPS (A-GPS) functionality, which provides instant positioning upon request. This function drastically reduces Time To First Fix to as low as four seconds, as well as enabling signal acquisition in difficult environments. One use of A-GPS is the provision of emergency call and instant location services. A-GPS is also commonly used to access immediate location information in difficult environments.

December 6, 2005. Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless handsets and devices, and TransData Inc., a leading manufacturer of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) products and solutions for the worldwide utility marketplace, announced their collaboration on TransData's MARK-V StarBurst meter. The MARK-V StarBurst is the first electricity meter to integrate the award-winning Kyocera 200 Module to bring real-time, CDMA2000 1XRTT wireless communications ability to commercial and industrial revenue metering installations.

The innovative MARK-V StarBurst Meter expands on the earlier success of TransData's IS-95A embedded MARK-V PCS Meter, which is in service at more than 50 leading utilities in the U.S. and Canada. The Kyocera 200 Module integration adds significant value with its configurable dual-mode operation supporting both 3G packet-data and circuit-switched data communication modes to retrieve metering information from commercial and industrial accounts.

The MARK-V StarBurst meter is a powerful, two-way smart metering system offering direct compatibility with existing data collection systems to ensure improved business productivity without the need for costly infrastructure upgrades. The high-speed, two-way communication ability offered by Kyocera's CDMA wireless technology provides an immediate, cost-effective solution to support the real-time data gathering requirements of newly established energy conservation programs currently being rolled out at many large utilities across North America.

December 6, 2005. Hemisphere GPS, a designer and manufacturer of GPS products used in more than 50 countries, announced the introduction of a new heading sensor module for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that features Hemisphere's high-performance Crescent GPS technology.

The Crescent Vector OEM module, a printed circuit board, is a complete GPS compass and positioning system designed primarily for the marine market but also very applicable for other markets including agriculture and machine control. The integration of Hemisphere's patented Crescent GPS technology enables the Crescent Vector OEM module, in comparison with competing products, to deliver higher update rates, noise-reduced raw measurements, more memory, more processor capacity, lower power consumption, and more advanced applications and sophisticated configurations. Crescent technology also enables the module to simultaneously employ multiple front-ends - enabling tighter coupling of measurements from separate antennae for use with heading-based products. Users will achieve excellent accuracy and stability, due to Crescent's more accurate code phase measurements, improved multipath mitigation, and fewer components. The Crescent Vector OEM module offers maximum flexibility to OEMs and integrators by enabling them to choose their appropriate power supply and communications translation.

In addition to its discrete Crescent GPS components, the module integrates a single-axis gyro and a tilt sensor onto a small form factor. Its heading accuracy ranges from 0.1 degrees (rms) at 2.0-meter antenna separation to 0.25 degrees (rms) at 0.5-meter antenna separation. It provides heading and positioning updates of up to 20 Hz, and delivers positioning accuracy of 20 cm 95% of the time when used with Crescent's L-Dif differential GPS (DGPS) receiver product, and 50 cm 95% of the time when used with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) DGPS.

The Crescent Vector OEM module also features Hemisphere's exclusive COAST software that enables Hemisphere receivers to utilize old DGPS correction data for 40 minutes or more without significantly affecting the quality of positioning. When using COAST, the Crescent Vector OEM is less likely to be affected by differential signal outages due to signal blockages, weak signals or interference.

December 6, 2005. Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. unveiled the industry's first wireless commercial building automation system, based on ZigBee-ready wireless networking technology from Ember Corporation. Siemens teamed with Ember to develop its new APOGEE Wireless Field Level Network solution. Through its inherent efficiencies, a building automation system deployed using an APOGEE Wireless Field Level Network can provide facility builders, owners and managers increased occupant comfort, greater flexibility, and more efficient control of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

APOGEE Wireless includes easy-to-install radio transceivers embedded with Ember's IEEE 802.15.4 standards-based wireless semiconductors and software to create self-forming mesh networks. The mesh configuration ensures network reliability and integrity by creating multiple redundant paths of communication. Because it is inherently self-healing, owners and builders won't have to worry about losing communication with control devices across the building automation system.

December 5, 2005. WiQuest Communications, a leading fabless semiconductor company developing complete ultrawideband (UWB) solutions, announced the availability of its WQST110 and WQST101 chipset, the industry's first commercially-available, high-performance silicon delivering wireless communication speeds up to one gigabit-per-second. Based on the WiMedia UWB physical layer (PHY) and media access controller (MAC) specifications, the WQST110 builds upon and extends the performance capabilities of UWB communications systems to a new level, providing a solid foundation for high-speed wireless cable-replacement applications. The companion WQST101 radio frequency (RF) transceiver chip combines with the WQST110 to provide the first complete UWB solution for manufacturers of PC and peripheral systems, consumer electronics, home entertainment, portable gaming, multimedia platforms, mobile devices and more. In addition to the new chipset, WiQuest is also announcing the immediate availability of the WQST100EVK, a complete UWB system evaluation kit which contains silicon and software for customer assessment, testing and product development.

WiQuest is leveraging and extending the significant wireless performance advantage offered by UWB. With its unprecedented gigabit-per-second wireless technology, the WQST110/101 chipset enables a new breed of applications previously considered unfeasible. No longer constrained by bandwidth or wires, consumers will quickly appreciate the benefits of this newly-found wireless performance through enjoying and sharing digital content, gaming and multimedia anytime and anywhere, without the need for connectors or a fistful of cables. The chipset also provides full compatibility with existing USB peripherals and systems, thereby protecting consumers' existing equipment investments.

December 5, 2005. Newbury Networks Inc., introduced a new edition of its award- winning WiFi Watchdog wireless security solution -- WiFi Watchdog/EWS. Additionally, Newbury has announced API level integration with Cisco Aironet Access Points. This integration provides comprehensive scanning of the 802.11 RF (radio frequency) surroundings, as one of the multi-function capabilities of Cisco wireless AP's.

WiFi Watchdog/EWS delivers the industry's first Wi-Fi early warning system enabling organizations to secure and lockdown wireless network access based upon the detection and location of all WLAN devices. WiFi Watchdog/EWS not only identifies and isolates rogue clients and unauthorized access points, it also quickly pinpoints their location for immediate and efficient removal from the network. This detection and removal provides the type of "security blanket" many organizations require before moving to the next step, deploying wireless networks enterprise wide.

By locating and identifying all 802.11 traffic, WiFi Watchdog/EWS enforces wireless security policies and protects both wired and wireless networks from wireless attacks. WiFi Watchdog/EWS policies evolve with the organization's deployment, ultimately resulting in a more secure and productive environment for the global mobile workforce.

December 5, 2005. AeroScout, Inc., the market leader in the field of Wi-Fi based Active RFID solutions, announced a partnership with Alanco Technologies, Inc. to develop and deliver a 2.4 GHz real-time location solution (RTLS) for the corrections industry. The two companies have successfully completed joint development on the industry's first tamper-proof Wi-Fi Active RFID tag, and deployed the first pilot site for a European prison customer. Through the partnership, AeroScout and Alanco have developed an extension to Alanco's successful TSI PRISM tracking system, which provides real-time identification and tracking of inmates and officers within corrections facilities, both indoors and out. The system can accurately locate and identify any person wearing a small wireless "tag" device, and this information is integrated into prison monitors. It handles common prison complexities such as a multi-floor, mixed indoor/outdoor environment, as well as the need for cell-level accuracy (using AeroScout's compact Exciter choke point device.)

The two companies have developed the industry's first Wi-Fi-based RFID tag with tamper-proof capabilities. The tag, which can be read by standard Cisco wireless access points, immediately detects any attempt to remove or tamper with it. The joint development efforts have also enabled the TSI PRISM system to now use the popular Wi-Fi standard (2.4 GHz) as a communications protocol. The system was designed to be extended to other environments with similar needs, such as psychiatric facilities.

December 5, 2005. Digital Angel Corporation, an advanced technology company in the field of rapid and accurate identification, location tracking, and condition monitoring of high-value assets, announced that it will introduce its patented Bio-Thermo (temperature-sensing) implantable RFID microchip and related identity system to international poultry/bird markets with the initial geographic emphasis in Asia. The comprehensive identity system includes the implantable Bio-Thermo microchip and related identity and temperature-sensing scanners that allow early identification of temperature increases in individual birds which may permit rapid identification and control of an outbreak of bird flu or other avian diseases.

Until now the Company has focused its implantable RFID temperature sensing system on the companion pet and equine marketplace. The system is in testing phases for other livestock such as cattle and swine. "As disease and bio-terrorism increasingly threaten the global food chain and the health of humans and livestock, the Company has targeted new applications in this area," said Kevin McGrath, President and CEO of Digital Angel. He also noted that the Company's identity microchips have already been used in avian identification applications.

December 2, 2005. Ekahau Inc. announced that Hynix Semiconductor Inc., the leading supplier of Dynamic Random Access Memory chips (DRAM), has selected the Ekahau RTLS (Real-Time Location System) solution to improve the work flow in its Korean factory. Workers at this factory carry Wi-Fi-enabled computers onto which the Ekahau RTLS system is integrated to provide real-time location information, as well as history of the factory staff and asset movements. By incorporating a location solution into its operations, Hynix factory management is able to create savings and improve efficiency through a better workflow and timely personnel dispatching process.

Ekahau RTLS provides accurate and real-time location information of mobile enterprise assets and people, indoors and outdoors. Ekahau system can track mobile assets and people either by using the Ekahau T201 Wi-Fi location tag attached to the person or object, or tracking any device such as laptop and PDA, using an internal Wi-Fi radio for wireless communication. Unlike competing solutions, Ekahau RTLS can leverage the existing enterprise Wi-Fi access points as the wireless infrastructure, and can be therefore deployed as a software-only solution.

December 1, 2005. AND Automotive Navigation Data now provides detailed digital maps of Eastern Europe to leading product and service supplier of mobile location products Wayfinder Systems. The agreement allows Wayfinder to expand its existing coverage with in-demand but hard-to get areas for the mobile navigation products. With the new, street-level map data of cities around Central and Eastern Europe Wayfinder's strategy for geographical expansion continues. Wayfinder Navigator is compatible with the majority of mobile phones on the market today and the number of compatible mobile phones continuously increases.

November 30, 2005. Savi Technology and Intermec Technologies Corporation, two long-time, leading providers of real-time supply chain solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), introduced a new active RFID reader system designed specifically to read bar codes and active radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. The lightweight, highly functional RFID reader system enhances the ability of DoD logistics personnel to identify and keep track of in-transit military supplies marked with bar code and active RFID technologies.

Savi Technology, a leading provider of RFID supply chain solutions, holds the DoD's procurement contract for active RFID technologies and related software and services. Intermec, which develops, manufactures and integrates technologies that identify, track and manage supply chain assets, is the DoD's prime contractor for mobile computing and related automatic identification technology (AIT) systems and services.

Drawing on a combined 30 years of DoD experience, the ruggedized reader system includes additional functionality and is lighter, smaller and more robust than previous generations of similar devices. It is able to read from and write to Savi's active, data-rich RFID tags and also can scan and process data from standard linear, matrix, stacked and composite bar codes.

November 30, 2005. Skyhook Wireless announced that it has expanded its network roll-out to now include uninterrupted coverage in the 70 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. Earlier this year, Skyhook announced that its Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS), the first wide-area positioning system leveraging 802.11, or Wi-Fi, rather than satellite or cell tower-based technologies, was available in 25 U.S. cities. With this milestone, the Skyhook Wireless database of over 3 million commercially mapped private and public access points is the single-most accurate and reliable Wi-Fi based location determination solution available. Today, the company is on track to complete the top 100 cities in the United States by the end of this year and has begun its network roll-out in Europe and Asia.

Skyhook Wireless' WPS has the unique ability to automatically identify a user's current location through a combination of Wi-Fi and IP location determination techniques and then publish that location to any location based service, application or device. Using a patent-pending data collection system, a proven operations model, extensive post-processing and quality control gates, Skyhook adds new coverage cities by mapping every street within a metropolitan area and then updating that network coverage through a continuous process of re-mapping. For more info see this article. Alternative data aggregators are dependent on individual volunteers that independently collect access point information using varying collection technologies and techniques that are not subject to a central quality control or management processes. As a result, WPS is the only solution that can provide the consistent and reliable performance required for commercial-grade services, applications and devices that depend on accurate location determination.

Until the availability of the Skyhook Wireless system, GPS or cell tower-based systems were the only potential platform for basing location-based services. As evidenced by slow growth in such services, these systems proved to be costly to implement and prone to problems with accuracy and reliability. Using WPS' software only model, any Wi-Fi enabled laptop, PDA or Wi-Fi enabled phone can be made 'location-aware' with greater consistency and reliability than traditional methods.

November 30, 2005. Geographic Enterprises (GE) has launched the GeoPrinter Wall Map Digital Printing Service at http://www.geoprinter.com making production of wall size map output fast, easy, and affordable. The GeoPrinter service provides high resolution digital map printing for PDF format files in sizes up to 9 X 12 feet.

To ensure the highest quality digital printing for customers, the GeoPrinter website offers the free GeoPrinter PDF Utility for download to enable GIS and desktop mapping users to easily create, save, and share map output in PDF format. The GeoPrinter PDF Utility is a Windows print driver that enables you to quickly and easily generate large wall size PDF format maps (in custom or 9 default sizes up to 9 X 12 feet) from any desktop mapping or GIS software package. It is accessible as one of the available printers from the 'Print' menu.

Printing large format maps via local retail print services has typically been slow, cumbersome, and very expensive. The GeoPrinter service streamlines the large format digital map printing process and delivers it to the GIS community at a fair price. Custom laminated wall size maps start at just $95.

GE has partnered with Intelligent Direct, a company who has been in the map production and printing business for more than 20 years providing large format digital printing services for prestigious clients like National Geographic and Rand McNally. The new partnership is now making their digital map printing expertise available to the global GIS community.

November 30, 2005. Bulldog Technologies Inc., premier provider of wireless security solutions and sensor networks that monitor, track and secure assets in the supply chain, announced that yet another undisclosed "Fortune 500" company specializing in grocery food products has issued their first purchase order for the Bulldog MiniBOSS covert tracking and loss-prevention solution. Bulldog honors the customer's request for anonymity to preserve the integrity of their DLR (Deter-Locate-Recover) operations.

After careful consideration and due diligence, this international multi billion dollar company has selected Bulldog's MiniBOSS units to protect their goods in transit. After this initial stage, the company intends to implement the system throughout their supply chain, securing delivery of their food products. The MiniBOSS System provides an advanced facility to secure, track and recover product shipments and also advances the company's cost savings model while providing the possibility of reduced rates for insurance coverage. As such, this Bulldog customer has expressed interest in taking full advantage of all direct and indirect benefits associated with the deployment of the MiniBOSS system.

The Bulldog MiniBOSS is a cellular-based true-AGPS covert asset recovery device. It is designed to work in conjunction with Bulldog's web-based software, allowing users to securely track their shipments using a standard PC. Since the MiniBOSS operates on an AGPS platform, its signal sensitivity is many times that of previous technologies. Additionally, the MiniBOSS can rely on both cellular tower triangulation and GPS satellite location to pinpoint the location of transportable materials throughout the United States.

November 30, 2005. In Motion Technology Inc. and Road Safety International Inc. announced they have entered into a partnership to seamlessly deliver driver performance and safety data collected in the vehicle to the EMS communications center for instant tracking of their fleet operations. Focusing on improving safety and reducing operating costs in emergency vehicles, Road Safety's RS-3000 On-Board Computer System (Black Box) monitors and records unsafe vehicle operating parameters such as speeding and high g-forces caused by rapid accelerations, hard decelerations and high speed turns. It also monitors use of seat belts, use of vehicle spotter while backing and proper emergency lights & siren operation. In Motion's onBoard Mobile Gateway (oMG 1000) enables secure, data transfer on any wireless network for any device deployed in the ambulance, including the RS-3000. The integration of oMG 1000 with RS-3000 enables reduced operational costs while providing the ambulance communications center visibility to driver performance data in real-time.

The RS-3000 Black Box, much like an aircraft "flight data recorder", monitors driver behavior and stores the information for retrospective analysis. It also provides immediate, in-vehicle audio feedback to the driver if they start driving unsafely. "Immediate feedback is important to the learning process and is critical in emergency situations to avoid ambulance collisions with other vehicles," says Larry Selditz, President of Road Safety International. "In partnership with In Motion, we can now bring that feedback to the control center instantly."

In Motion Technology's oMG 1000 offers a Mobile LAN infrastructure that seamlessly scales to enable multiple applications and devices access to any wireless network. oMG 1000's open technology enables multi-network support (802.11, 802.16, 1xRTT, EvDO, Wi/iDEN, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, Flash OFDM, and/or UMTS TDD) all in the same box for a flexible, reliable solution for mobile data operations. Additionally, In Motion Technology transparently provides 128-bit security to all data transmissions to protect confidential patient and billing information.

November 28, 2005. SaRonix, a Pericom Semiconductor Company, announces the production release of its NKS3 product series, a quartz crystal resonator contained in an ultra-miniature 3.2 x 2.5mm package. This new crystal, manufactured at Pericom's recently acquired eCERA factory in Taiwan, is mounted inside a small form-factor and robust ceramic package that is designed for portable electronic applications. Featuring operating frequencies from 14 to 54 MHz, the NKS3 series is an ideal component for use in small form-factor hard disk drives, GPS devices, portable multimedia players or recorders, blade servers, switches, & routers, portable/personal computing devices, wireless access devices, and SOHO networking equipment.

The NKS3 products are packaged in a hermetically sealed industry-standard 3.2 x 2.5mm ceramic package that is fifty-percent (50%) smaller than the popular 3.2 x 5mm package. This reduced package size facilitates the size-reduction of customers' platforms or the addition of more features/functions to existing platforms. The NKS3 crystals utilize the favorable properties of AT-cut fundamental-mode quartz, with output frequencies available from 14 to 54 MHz. Despite their small size, the NKS3 crystals achieve a relatively low ESR, thus providing an easy-to-use solution. Moreover, the products achieve an impressive +/-10ppM accuracy over commercial operating temperatures, performance that is critical for wireless applications such as GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, GSM, and WiMax.

November 28, 2005. Smartphone users can now take advantage of new mapping technologies and local search to find people, places, events and share user-generated content as a result of uLocate Communications' acquisition of Kmaps (http://www.alealea.com). Kmaps is available today on Treo devices and will soon be available on the Blackberry as well as other platforms. Treo users can download Kmaps today for free from http://kmaps.ulocate.com, get maps and directions, find local businesses, post and search user profiles and create their own location aware content to share with the community. In addition, Kmaps provides a free web 2.0 API for software developers to create Kmaps add-ons. The plans for Kmaps include rolling it out on several new devices as well as integrating with the uLocate platform to make additional features available to Kmaps users.

November 28, 2005. STMicroelectronics, a leading supplier of System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions for the wireless market, unveiled the industry's most comprehensive solution for pico-cell base-station modems. ST's unique offering combines the superior performance of the market's first SoC baseband processor for wireless infrastructure applications, the STW51000, with multi-standard software libraries, optimized for GSM, EDGE, W-CDMA, and WiMAX networks. Driving up base-station channel density, ST has tested and specified the device to be used with 20 concurrent voice users in a Release 4 WCDMA network.

Pico-cell base stations provide enhanced wireless coverage inside office buildings, college campuses, subways, airports etc. Their importance grows with the arrival of 3G services, where even a relatively small number of high- speed data users can consume all the available resources of the nearest macro- cell base station. Recent industry research also suggests that as much as 70 per cent of subscribers will be located indoors when accessing wireless broadband applications.

November 28, 2005. Alvarion Ltd., the world's leading provider of wireless broadband solutions and specialized mobile networks, announced that Ikatel, an affiliate of France Telecom offering broadband data services in the West African country of Mali, will install Alvarion's BreezeMAX 3500 system, including hundreds of CPEs based on the Intel WiMAX chip to deploy a WiMAX network in the capital city of Bamako. Ikatel, a leading GSM and Internet operator in Mali, expects to deploy the network by year-end.

BreezeMAX is Alvarion's award winning, WiMAX platform that has been designed from the ground up according to the IEEE 802.16-2004 standards using OFDM technology for advanced non-line-of-sight (NLOS) functionality. Its carrier-class design supports broadband speeds and quality of service (QoS) to enable carriers to offer triple play broadband services to thousands of subscribers from a single base station. Since its launch in mid-2004, BreezeMAX has been successfully deployed in over 130 installations in more than 30 countries around the world. Already an integral part of WiMAX networks in Europe and Latin America, this is the first deployment in Africa of the BreezeMAX PRO CPE with the Intel PRO/Wireless 5116 WiMAX chip.

November 28, 2005. The R&S CRTU-WC52 software option now allows the tried-and-tested Protocol Tester R&S CRTU-W to be used for tests on A-GPS-capable 3G mobile phones. The Global Certification Forum (GCF) has defined 21 protocol test cases for UMTS/A-GPS terminals. The first three test cases from Rohde & Schwarz have now been validated by the Combined Agreement Group (CAG #04) and the PTCRB Validation Group (PVG #31). The new option from Rohde & Schwarz now already covers two thirds of all the test cases required for certification. The company thus supports the development of the new technology, which allows the location of UMTS mobile phones to be determined quickly.

In the USA, the E911 law specifies that a mobile phone must automatically provide the location of the user in cases of emergency calls, even if the user is unable to indicate the location in such a case. Locating the position must be ensured either via the network or via the mobile phone itself. Many UMTS mobile phones are already equipped with a GPS receiver for this purpose. However, tracking a position by means of GPS can take up to ten minutes if conditions are unfavorable, for the mobile phone must first determine and evaluate the current satellite data.

A-GPS combines the normal GPS applications that are established among end users - navigation, for example - with the new requirement. The GPS almanac information is broadcast over the UMTS mobile radio network. This information includes the current time, satellite constellation and other data necessary for quickly determining the caller's location by means of the mobile phone. The time to first fix (TTFF) is reduced to just a few seconds on the basis of this information. America's large network operators as well as mobile phone manufacturers are therefore very keen on quickly getting their hands on reliable test solutions for A-GPS.

Rohde & Schwarz provides T&M equipment that is compliant with the specification, and thus supports the development and certification of such terminals. The R&S CRTU-WC52 software option makes the Protocol Tester R&S CRTU-W the world's only instrument that can handle 3G A-GPS test cases. Two thirds of all test cases prescribed in the GCF Work Item WI-015 are already available now. In combination with a generator for satellite signals that simulates up to six satellites prescribed in the test cases, the R&S CRTU-W clears the road for A-GPS.

November 23, 2005. The Lockheed Martin-led team developing the nation's next-generation missile warning system announced that it has completed preparations to enable the payload for the first Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite to begin engineering thermal vacuum testing. The SBIRS GEO payload, developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation's Electronic Systems sector, consists of a scanning sensor and a staring sensor, with sensor pointing achieved by the spacecraft's Pointing Control Assembly (PCA). The scanning sensor is designed for continuous observation and surveillance of traditional intercontinental ballistic missile threats, while the staring sensor is designed to detect very low signature, short-burn-duration theatre missiles. The staring sensor recently completed its flight-acceptance test.

One of the most significant program milestones, thermal vacuum testing verifies the payload functionality and performance in a vacuum environment, where the payload is stressed at temperature extremes greater than those expected during on-orbit operations. The baseline ambient functional tests as well as radiometric tests will be repeated in this "test-it-like-it-flies" environment with the infrared sensors at their cryogenic operating temperatures.

November 22, 2005. Bulldog Technologies Inc., premier provider of wireless security solutions and sensor networks that monitor, track and secure assets in the supply chain, announced that Bulldog's RFID sensor network system has met FCC (US Federal Communications Commission) and Industry Canada radio frequency device regulatory requirements. Used for a variety of critical monitoring tasks involving commercial transportation and storage of perishable goods, Bulldog's RFID sensor network solution addresses the quality control requirements of producers, transportation elements, wholesalers and merchants.

The Bulldog-developed and deployed sensor network solution measures and monitors the temperature of produce containers, refrigerated trucks, milk tankers and grocery store coolers while delivering real time data to a PC based monitoring application. This wireless sensor network consists of 2.45GHz IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee; similar to Bluetooth) based RF tags and readers. The tags are designed to collect temperature data and transmit the data in real-time to a network of readers. The application monitors predetermined thresholds and, if exceeded, an alarm is issued via an email or a SMS text message. This alarm alerts personnel and enables corrective action to be taken before spoiling can occur, preventing complete or partial losses, insurance claims and delayed delivery.

ZigBee is a global standard that addresses the unique needs of remote monitoring & control, and sensory network applications; enables broad-based deployment of wireless networks with low cost, low power solutions; and provides the ability to run for years on inexpensive primary batteries for typical monitoring applications. Bulldog had selected ZigBee as the preferred platform to develop wireless security and sensor network applications.

November 21, 2005. Texas Instruments Incorporated introduced the industry's first single-chip assisted global positioning system (A-GPS) solution in 90 nanometer (nm) process technology for mobile phones. Through TI's innovative DRP technology, the GPS5300 NaviLink 4.0 single chip offers the smallest system area for a discrete GPS solution, lowest total system cost, low power consumption and high performance A-GPS functionality. To speed the development of A-GPS enabled handsets, the NaviLink single chip is optimized to interface with TI's 3G technology and OMAP processors to deliver a complete solution for handset OEMs.

The GPS5300 is the first product in TI's NaviLink A-GPS family of solutions providing enhanced positioning capabilities for the handset. The GPS5300 NaviLink 4.0 single chip uses TI's DRP technology and 90 nm advanced process manufacturing to deliver:

The industry's smallest discrete A-GPS solution with a board area less
The industry's lowest cost complete A-GPS system by delivering a total
A low power solution with power management integrated on-chip, as well
A high performing A-GPS solution with rapid time to first fix (TTFF)

November 19, 2005. The Hyderabad-based GPS-GIS solutions company, Citadel Research and Solutions, announced the launch of its advanced Vehicle Tracking Solutions (VTS) on the occasion of World GIS Day. Launched at the ongoing GIS, remote sensing, GPS and other spatial technologies exhibition here on "Digital India and Mapmela", VTS is a "complete" suite of solutions, which integrated advanced Vehicle Tracking System, third generation communication system with high precision maps of various cities in India, a senior official of the company said. The Solutions extend features that can help in locating and planning the routes to locations in the city, measure distances, find the shortest routes and GPS tracking. The Solutions would facilitate controlling Traffic, ensuring Security and tracking VIP Convoy in the city, tracking out of city VIP travel, tracking of City Police Patrol vans like Rakshak vehiclaes, Private Armored car tracking. VTS comprises of Digitized maps of the various cities in India, Vehicle Locater with GPS Receiver, GSM Communicagtigon, Base Station UNI (BSU), Interactive software for guided navigation and routing, Interface able with various kinds of databases, Easily customizable for various industries--E Cops and Dial 100 integration.

November 18, 2005. Bulldog Technologies Inc., premier designer and manufacturer of wireless security solutions and sensor networks that monitor, track and secure assets in the supply chain announced that, after an intensive and successful two month trial, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Global Manufacturing has commenced ordering Bulldog's MiniBOSS for the purpose of securing and monitoring high-value pharmaceuticals as they travel through Pfizer's supply chain. Pfizer will integrate the MiniBOSS into their North American supply chain during phase one, to be followed by expanded distribution-point deployment.

After competitive testing in real world conditions throughout the Northeastern United States, Pfizer has awarded the purchase order to Bulldog Technologies. Pfizer found that only the Bulldog MiniBOSS met or exceeded Pfizer's standards for securing and tracking high-value pharmaceutical shipments throughout the contiguous United States. Interestingly, the MiniBOSS was available to Pfizer at significant savings when compared to competitive products.

The Bulldog MiniBOSS is a cellular based true AGPS covert asset location and recovery device. It is designed to work in conjunction with Bulldog's web-based software, allowing users to securely track their shipments using a standard PC. The MiniBOSS is designed to be covertly placed in valuable and/or sensitive shipments and will enable Pfizer to track, locate and maintain contact with individual shipments, as mandated by its security and logistics management teams. Since the MiniBOSS operates on an AGPS platform, its signal sensitivity is many times that of previous technologies. Additionally, the MiniBOSS can rely on both cellular tower triangulation and GPS satellite location to pinpoint the location of transportable materials throughout North America and, in fact, over most of the world.

November 17, 2005. MHF Logistical Solutions Inc. (MHF-LS), a leading provider of packaging, transportation and technical services for generators and shippers of radioactive, hazardous and non- hazardous waste and materials, said that it will soon offer "smart" railcars equipped with remote monitoring and diagnostic systems to manage shipments of sensitive cargo.

The optional new MHF-LS asset tracking service will be available in early 2006, the company said. The new service will feature long-life, battery-operated wireless devices and monitoring equipment that track the exact location and operating status of railcars in use across North America, as well as the condition of their contents. The wireless devices incorporate global positioning satellite (GPS) technology linked to MHF-LS' back office reporting and operations systems.

Shippers can access detailed data about their shipments' whereabouts at any given moment through a secure, protected system, and can be alerted if railcars have been tampered with or have encountered an unusual event. Add-on features -- monitoring internal or external temperatures, pressure, impact and other variables -- also can be added to the basic unit.

November 16, 2005. Telmap, a world-leading provider of mobile Mapping and Navigation solutions, and Saunalahti, a Finnish provider of consumer Internet and telecommunications services, announced the upcoming launch of the first real-time GPS navigation service for Finnish mobile phone users.

The service, Saunalahti Kartturi, is set to be launched in the coming weeks. It will initially provide full real-time mapping, navigation, POI (Points of Interest) content, and connectivity throughout Europe and North America. Additional regions and extended real-time content will be introduced soon after. For the immediate rollout, the service will be available for Smart phones and Java phones, with support for additional handsets on multiple platforms to be added in phase two.

Telmap provides Saunalahti with a complete, branded and localized Finnish-language navigation solution based on its Polaris Mapping and Navigation technology. As a multi-platform solution, Polaris enables Saunalahti to roll out a single, all-inclusive mobile navigation solution to a wide range of customers and devices. Because the service is server-based, all mapping, navigation and content data is always up to date and delivered in real-time.

November 16, 2005. BSQUARE, a leading provider of smart device solutions, announced the integration of their Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO) technology into HP iPAQ handhelds and their multi-year collaboration with HP. As a part of this relationship, BSQUARE will collaborate with HP to develop value-add technologies for HP mobile devices.

The HP iPAQ Pocket PC hx2200 and hx2700 series devices are currently shipping with SDIO Now! V2.1, BSQUARE's newest software stack. Customers can use Secure Digital (SD) technology to store music or video clips on removable cards or to extend device capability by adding peripherals such as GPS receivers or digital cameras. SDIO Now! V2.x enables mobile device customers to protect personal data, enjoy larger storage space, higher performance, and enhanced features when they use SD expansion capabilities on their devices.

SDIO Now! V2.1 features Fast Path technology, which boosts system throughput by up to 200%. SDIO Now! V2.1 also supports 2 GB MultiMediaCard (MMC) /SD memory cards and offers SD Password protection that allows HP iPAQ Pocket PC users to help safeguard their personal information and content on Secure Digital cards.

November 16, 2005. Gearworks, a leading provider of mobile workforce management software, announced the availability of the newest member of its flagship etrace product family - etrace:worksight.lite edition - designed to work with the Nextel Wireless GPS Platform from Sprint. etrace:worksight.lite is ideally suited for small-to-medium businesses seeking an economical solution for gaining mobile workforce visibility. The etrace product family, previously available only on Nextel Java phones, can now also support non Java-enabled handsets allowing businesses to leverage their existing investment.

The new etrace edition features GPS tracking capabilities using non Java-enabled handsets such as the i205, i305, i315 and i530 within Nextel's product line, and gives business managers and dispatchers a zero-field-training solution for monitoring their mobile workforce. etrace:worksight.lite edition provides near-real-time fleet and worker maps, location-intelligent alerts, and WorkZone reports that provide insight into daily activities such as drive time and number of worker stops.

The Nextel Wireless GPS Platform from Sprint is a network-based location tracking solution that works with a wide range of standard handsets (Java and non Java-enabled) to provide GPS location information without the need for an application on the device. etrace:worksight.lite is available now and can be Sprint direct billed for $19.95 per month, including Nextel data access charges.

November 15, 2005. Aperto Networks, a leading WiMAX systems provider serving over 200 operators in 65 countries, said that a growing number of its customers are using Aperto's products to deliver business-quality Voice-over-IP (VoIP) services, often at service prices that are significantly more competitive than those of existing service providers. TransAria is using Aperto Networks' solutions to offer business-grade Voice-over-IP services throughout the state of Montana. The service allows enterprises of any size to significantly reduce their telecommunications expenses by shifting from leased T1 circuits to transporting voice over packet networks.

Aperto has come up with an efficient solution for operators concerning the vexing issue of offering voice and data. While voice traffic is characterized by low bandwidth and a low tolerance for error and latency, data traffic is quite the opposite -- high-bandwidth and more tolerant of bit errors and latency. Aperto's patented technology can treat voice and data traffic uniquely, allocating appropriate levels of bandwidth to account for low latency requirements for voice services. Furthermore, the upcoming Software Release V5.4, due out later this week, will enhance the QoS system to support over-subscription of VoIP services, enabling operators to further optimize their wireless bandwidth and fine-tune their business models.

November 15, 2005. Wherify Wireless, Inc., a leading developer of patented wireless location products and services for family safety and communications, announced the award-winning Wherifone GPS Locator Phone has been approved by KORE Wireless Inc. for use on the KORE Wireless network in Canada. In addition, Wherify has signed a wholesale purchase agreement with KORE Wireless Inc., a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) of wireless voice and data airtime services, to resell airtime on the KORE Wireless Canadian network as part of a Wherify branded service using the Wherifone GPS Locator Phone. The Wherifone is the world's smallest GPS-equipped GSM locator phone and provides a totally unique and affordable way for families with pre-teens, seniors, or those with special medical needs, to stay connected and in contact with each other. Wherify expects to launch services in Canada in the first half of 2006.

November 15, 2005. Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider, and MobileGates, a leading provider of location-based services, announced that three new map-based applications -- MobileGates Traffic, FuelFinder, and StoreFinder -- are now available to Verizon Wireless Mobile Web 2.0(SM) customers. The perfect tools for people on-the-go, MobileGates' applications help customers avoid heavy traffic, locate the lowest priced gas, or find the closest Verizon Wireless store, by delivering interactive color maps to Verizon Wireless phones.

Available today, MobileGates' technology enables Verizon Wireless Mobile Web subscribers to receive up-to-date information about current traffic conditions as well as the location and price of fuel in their region or along their route. In addition, the new VZW StoreFinder, developed for Verizon Wireless by MobileGates, provides subscribers with interactive maps detailing the location and directions to Verizon Wireless stores in their area.

MobileGates has the only location-based mapping platform that offers seamless applications, allowing users to switch from one application to another using the same maps and locations. Users can also personalize these applications with multi-point routes and time-based alerts.

November 15, 2005. ORBCOMM, a global satellite telecommunications company, announced it has commissioned a new Gateway Earth Station in Almaty, Kazakhstan, near the southern border with China. The new station will be fully operational by December 1, 2005. Gateway Earth Stations (GES) are terrestrial links to the ORBCOMM network of low-earth orbit satellites. This new GES provides a 1,500-mile coverage radius enabling ORBCOMM to pursue regulatory approvals to expand near real time service into parts of China, Russia and the Middle East through the ORBCOMM low-earth orbit satellite network. LeoSat LLC, the country representative for Kazakhstan, has started marketing satellite data services to transportation, oil, gas, utility and government customers in Kazakhstan, which has significant undeveloped petroleum reserves. This new GES is ORBCOMM's latest effort to advance its international growth strategy, bringing the number of operating stations to 13.

ORBCOMM and its international network of licensees and representatives hold regulatory approvals to provide satellite data communications in more than 50 jurisdictions around the world. The commissioning of this new GES allows ORBCOMM's international value-added resellers to immediately begin deploying ORBCOMM subscriber communicator units in this rapidly developing region.

November 15, 2005. Cobra Electronics, a leading manufacturer of navigation and communication products, announced the launch of two new marine GPS portable navigation units, the MC 600Ci and the MC 600Cx, signaling a new direction for Cobra's marine line. The navigation devices, which will be available at marine retailers in early 2006, are being unveiled this week at the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS). For the MC 600 series, Cobra offers industry-leading features, such as:

Cobra's exclusive iASAP GPS technology, which provides fast GPS
A six-inch color screen with anti-reflective coating - the largest in
Sunlight and NightWatch modes to ensure maximum visibility -
New C-MAP NT MAX NMEA award winning charts
Easy to operate with a user-friendly welcome page
Easy-to-use demo pages
In the MC 600Ci, an internal iASAP GPS antenna with a 12v DC
In the MC 600Cx, an external antenna and flush mounting accessories

Advanced MC 600 series functionality, enabled with the use of a C-MAP NT MAX C Card, includes: The MAX anti-grounding feature; embedded aerial photographs of marina and harbor entrances; and dynamic current arrows that indicate the direction and speed of tidal currents. These features are among the latest in marine GPS software and are available only in products using the new C-MAP NT MAX generation charts.

November 15, 2005. Ember Corporation announced EmberZNet 2.0, its ZigBee networking software, is now shipping. EmberZNet is a second-generation ZigBee protocol stack (as well as being Ember's fifth-generation mesh networking stack) designed for self-organizing, self-healing wireless networks using a variety of network topologies, including mesh, star, and cluster tree. It provides all the standards-based benefits inherent in the ZigBee specification, including high reliability, high security, broad interoperability, low cost, long battery life, and integrated network management. But beyond these standard benefits, EmberZNet 2.0 extends ZigBee functionality, simplicity and performance. For example, EmberZNet 2.0 supports application profiles for home controls as well as user-defined network applications. It also features an Ember transport layer to provide more reliable wireless communications between nodes and enable distributed bindings. The Ember transport layer, along with Ember's application programming interface (API), also makes it easy for Ember's existing customers to port their EmberNet applications to the new ZigBee platform. Using the same familiar API they've already mastered, they can migrate their applications to a ZigBee-compliant version with minimal changes and development costs. Future upgrades to their products can be easily deployed with EmberZNet's over-the-air bootloader. Customers can also accelerate EmberZNet application development using Ember WorkBench, an Eclipse-based integrated development environment. Ember WorkBench enables developers to develop and debug applications across an entire network, as opposed to debugging each node on the network as required by competitive development tools.

November 15, 2005. u-Nav Microelectronics, developer of the world's smallest and ultra low power Global Positioning System (GPS) chipsets, announced the successful implementation of a single-chip GPS receiver. This true monolithic GPS receiver is accomplished by combining u-Nav's all CMOS high performance RFIC core with its 3rd generation baseband IC core to form a true single-die GPS receiver. A new generation search engine has been added to support high sensitivity assisted GPS signal acquisition well beyond the levels specified in both the IS-801 and 3GPP standards. The single-chip GPS receiver will utilize u-Nav's Orion v2.0 software which provides support for conventional GPS operation as well as synchronous (IS-801 and 3GPP2) and asynchronous (3GPP) assisted GPS. Sampling of the single-chip GPS receiver is planned for the end of Q4-05 with production slated for the first half of 2006.

November 14, 2005. Sun Microsystems, Inc. announced the availability of the Sun RFID Industry Solution for Drug Authentication, a combination of software, hardware and services to addresses the specific requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. The Sun RFID Industry Solution for Drug Authentication helps to combat drug counterfeiting by verifying and certifying the authenticity of drugs using Electronic Product Codes (EPC) or electronic pedigrees across the supply chain.

The Sun RFID Industry Solution for Drug Authentication uses a scalable architecture that helps companies to start with EPC-based drug authentication for initial pilots and then evolve to more complex, pedigree-based drug authentication solutions. The EPC Authentication verifies point-of-sale EPC information, stored in an RFID tag, against a repository of valid codes. The Pedigree Authentication is more secure and complex and requires verification and authentication of each drug item at every step of the drug supply chain.

In addition to helping the pharmaceutical industry curb drug counterfeiting and diverting, Sun's RFID solutions can help healthcare providers reduce medical errors through the tracking of patients, critical medical information and records. Sun's RFID solutions can extend beyond medication tracking to help hospitals monitor instruments and disposables using RFID tagging, automated counting and alarms. Further, RFID tagging can assist hospitals with locating, taking inventory of and re-ordering high value assets in a timely manner, reducing staff search time and improving the timeliness of patient care.

November 14, 2005. Polaris Wireless, a pioneer in wireless location technology, announced the commercial availability of the company's Wireless Location Signatures (WLS) solution with the GSMDirect option, which eliminates the need for costly Abis Probe systems and hardware. Several US-based GSM carriers have deployed this solution over the past year as part of their compliance programs for the FCC E911 Phase II emergency call mandate.

Wireless Location Signatures (WLS) enables carriers to locate emergency and commercial callers without the addition of any RF infrastructure hardware and without modification of handsets, resulting in a total cost of ownership (TCO) significantly below any other commercially available network-based location systems. With the introduction of GSMDirect, the need for network-based Abis probe hardware has been eliminated, further increasing the TCO advantage of WLS over competing location technologies.

Polaris Wireless Location Signatures (WLS) is a breakthrough in wireless location technology. Performance tested in the United States and Europe, Polaris WLS resides on standard, centralized server platforms and requires no modifications to handsets or cell sites. This network-based, software-only solution simplifies and accelerates deployments, provides complete network coverage and dramatically reduces capital expenditures for wireless carriers. The WLS technology is applicable to all major wireless standards including TDMA, GSM, UMTS and CDMA.

November 14, 2005. Digital Angel Corporation, an advanced technology company in the field of rapid and accurate identification, location tracking and condition monitoring of high-value assets, announced that it has developed and will soon begin selling a new and significantly improved scanner that can electronically read or detect any implanted RFID microchip currently used for pet identification and ownership purposes in the U.S. companion pet market. The new scanners are now in production and are expected to be available for purchase by veterinarians, animal shelters and clinics in late November.

The new scanner was designed to read the vast majority of chips in the nation's expanding companion pet marketplace that use a 125 kHz radio frequency including chips that are encrypted. The new scanner can also detect the presence of a 134 kHz radio frequency chip, also called an ISO chip, which is commonly used outside the country but is present in a small number of pets in the U.S.

The new scanner was developed in response to recent Congressional action calling for a more universal microchip reader and to accommodate veterinarians, pet clinics and pet advocacy groups concerned that a lost pet could unnecessarily be harmed or euthanized if an implanted microchip could not be detected by older scanner models. In the case of the ISO chip, the new Digital Angel scanner will now indicate that a microchip is present in the pet, which will allow the necessary steps to be taken to insure identification of the animal and its ownership.

November 14, 2005. Royal Philips Electronics is the first major supplier to have its RFID chips certified by EPCGlobal as Gen2 compliant, according to the Metlab Conformance Test. The Philips UCODE EPC Gen 2 chips are available now. EPC Gen 2 is widely supported by end-users and manufacturers within the RFID industry and will facilitate the widespread deployment of RFID technology - especially in logistic applications and the retail supply chain. With broad deployment of the EPC standard, different RFID labels and readers are fully interoperable in different global regulatory environments. As a result, suppliers and manufacturers throughout the supply chain can realize significant improvements in performance, cost and reliability as well as easy migration to future EPC classes.

November 14, 2005. Privately held Global Locate, Inc., a global leader in assisted-GPS (A-GPS) products and services, announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued patent number USP 6,453,237 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Locating and Providing Services to Mobile Devices." This is one of 14 patents covering various aspects of the Global Locate Worldwide Reference Network (WWRN), a wide area network of GPS reference stations that provides assistance data to location-enabled devices anywhere in the world.

The company described the patent as covering the concept of a network of reference stations sending data to a server, which in turn creates a wide area model from which geographically specific GPS assistance data is derived and sent to mobile terminals. The patent has broad applicability to both MS-based and MS-assisted modes of operation. The WWRN has been in commercial operation since 2002, serving major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) for both E911 and location-based services. With the emergence of the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) standard, MNOs worldwide can now take advantage of a single source of aiding data to support global roaming over SUPL.

November 10, 2005. Alcatel announced that it has been chosen by Orange, one of the most important worldwide mobile operators, as the main supplier for an A-GPS (Assisted Global Positioning System) solution in the framework of the first trial of this technology handled by the operator in France and throughout its European network. Over the course of a few months, this experiment allows trial users chosen by Orange and equipped with A-GPS handsets, to try out services which are specifically adapted to this technology, such as satellite navigation for cars and pedestrians. A-GPS allows the user to pick up the weakest satellite signals, and therefore makes finding difficult locations such as urban canyons (i.e. tunnels, business centers, and commercial centers which often consist of high rise buildings, narrow streets and light indoor environments) much easier. The immediate advantages of the Alcatel supplied A-GPS solution are the speed at which it finds a GPS signal (less than 2 seconds), and the accuracy and sensitivity of the solution, thanks notably to the efficiency of the assistance data provided by the EGNOS European satellite system.

Within the framework of this trial, Alcatel integrates for Orange an end-to-end Assisted-GPS solution including the Alcatel 8608 Enhanced Assisted-GPS server, which transmits data directly to the mobile terminal so that it can receive the GPS signals more quickly and effectively than a standard GPS, and Hewlett-Packard's iPAQ hw6515 Mobile Messenger, which integrates wireless voice, high-speed EDGE data networking and versatile GPS navigation technologies in one device to meet global business and personal communication needs. Both pieces of equipment use the