GPS Timing Antenna provides network synchronization.
Press Release Summary:
Combining pole-mounted GPS receiver and antenna, Acutime(TM) Gold is housed in environmentally sealed, corrosion-resistant, and waterproof enclosure. Once power is applied, unit automatically tracks satellites and surveys its position to within meters. It then switches to overdetermined time mode and generates PPS output synchronized to UTC within 15 nanoseconds. Requiring less than 70 mA at 12 V, Acutime Gold operates in extreme temperatures from -40 to +85°C.
Original Press Release:
Trimble's New Smart GPS Timing Antenna Takes Center Stage for Network Synchronization
SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 3 / / -- Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) introduced today the latest in a long line of Global Positioning System (GPS) timing receivers -- the Acutime(TM) Gold GPS smart antenna. Slightly larger than a baseball and housed in a rugged, environmentally sealed enclosure, the Acutime Gold provides a pulse-per-second (PPS) output synchronized to UTC within 15 nanoseconds (one sigma). It is a small, accurate and extremely cost-effective solution for adding GPS timing and synchronization into any application where ease of installation and long-term reliability is critical.
The Acutime Gold GPS smart antenna will be showcased at CTIA's Wireless 2006 Conference April 5-7 in Las Vegas.
Using Trimble's latest GPS software technology, the Acutime Gold GPS smart timing antenna builds upon field-proven expertise; Trimble has been producing smart antenna receivers since 1991. The new Acutime Gold GPS smart antenna is directly compatible with applications build around previous generation Acutime 2000 receivers. The antenna is an ideal solution for precise timing and network synchronization, including broadband wireless applications. It provides an independent timing source, within the firewall, for any application such as network fault detection systems and synchronization of wireless networks. It enables easy GPS integration for applications including:
o Synchronization and timing of paging, cellular and radio networks
o Network fault detection systems
o Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) applications
o Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems
"The Acutime Gold GPS smart antenna builds on Trimble's 15 years of experience with the Acutime and Palisade GPS smart antenna families," said Dennis Workman, Trimble's vice president and general manager of Component Technologies. "We've implemented the next step in our product line strategy by combining TrimCore software technology and the latest generation of commercial DSP silicon with our extensive GPS experience in timing and positioning. This step brings the price and performance value needed in today's expanding wireless applications."
Once power is applied, the Acutime Gold automatically tracks satellites and surveys its position to within meters. It then switches to overdetermined time mode and generates a PPS (outputting a time tag for each pulse). The Acutime Gold GPS smart antenna's T-RAIM (Time-Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitor) algorithm ensures PPS integrity.
Designed for long-term reliability, the Acutime Gold GPS smart timing antenna is a pole-mounted GPS receiver and antenna. It is corrosion-resistant and waterproof, and has a rounded top that facilitates run-off from the elements. The RS-422 interface is ideal for long cable runs required by buildings or towers. Standard cables are available in lengths up to 400 feet. Custom lengths up to 1800 feet are available.
The Acutime Gold can operate in extreme temperatures (-40 to +85 degrees Celsius) and hostile RF-jamming environments typically encountered at wireless network transmitter sites. It requires less than 70mA at 12 volts and outputs Trimble's standard interface protocol (TSIP) or industry-standard NMEA.
The Acutime Gold Starter Kit makes it easy to evaluate the performance of the Acutime Gold GPS smart antenna. It includes the Acutime Gold GPS smart antenna (RS-422), a 100 foot interface cable, user guide, RS-422 to USB converter, and a Windows software tool for monitoring and communication. In addition, the Acutime Gold GPS smart timing antenna has been designed to meet restrictions on the use of hazardous substances under the RoHS European Directive.
The Acutime Gold GPS smart timing antenna is expected to be available in production quantities in the second quarter of 2006 through Trimble's Component Technologies Division.
About Trimble GPS Timing
With the expansion of data and communications networks, Trimble GPS provides the pulse for some of the world's largest networking companies. Trimble offers precise time and frequency products for CDMA, TDMA, GSM, Broadband Wireless, TCP/IP and 3G applications. More than 25 years of experience allow Trimble to take GPS receivers and disciplined clocks to higher levels of integration and performance, providing a cost benefit to customers.
About Trimble
Trimble is a leading innovator of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. In addition to providing advanced GPS components, Trimble augments GPS with other positioning technologies as well as wireless communications and software to create complete customer solutions. Trimble's worldwide presence and unique capabilities position the Company for growth in emerging applications including surveying, agriculture, machine guidance, asset and fleet management, wireless platforms, and telecommunications infrastructure. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has more than 2,000 employees in more than 20 countries worldwide.
For more information, visit: www.trimble.com.
