Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Single-Chip GPS suits autonomous and host applications.
Press Release Summary:
Targeted for use with active antenna systems, STA2056 features complete RF function, GPS base-band, ARM7TDMI® processor, and peripherals. Device embeds radio section into digital, single-chip GPS receiver, requiring no external host CPU and memory to achieve satellite tracking and position calculation. Chip also includes low phase noise VCO/PLL, IF filters, mixer, and LNA. Drawing 37 mA, product comes in QFN68 package.
Original Press Release:
STMicroelectronics Introduces First Single-Chip Solution for both Autonomous and Host-Based GPS Applications with CAN Interface
Geneva, October 19, 2004 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM) today announced the availability of the STA2056 single-chip GPS (global positioning system) for active antenna systems featuring the complete RF function, GPS base-band, an ARM7TDMI® processor and peripherals on a single piece of silicon. It combines GPS performance with low power consumption. It is the first-ever device successfully embedding the radio section into a digital single-chip GPS receiver, requiring no external host CPU and memory to achieve both satellite tracking and position calculation.
The STA2056 has a high level of integration - low phase noise VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) / PLL (Phase Locked Loop), IF (Intermediate Frequency) filters, Mixer, and LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) are all included in the RF section - developed using a 0.18-micron CMOS process, which dramatically reduces the number of external components. Only an active antenna, a crystal, and few passive devices for input match are required to complete the application. Despite its high level of integration and increased RF requirements for microprocessor co-existence, the STA2056 draws only 37mA (milliamps) in typical operating mode.
"As the only company to ever successfully embed the radio section of a GPS device into a digital single chip GPS receiver requiring no external memory and host CPU, ST now offers OEMs the ability to embed GPS chips into new areas of the car, like the antennae, where space is at a premium," said Antonio Radaelli, Director of ST's Automotive Business Unit. "We are confident that we have developed a product that meets the needs of the market and hits the points in terms of price and power consumption."
The on-chip peripherals include a CAN 2.0 B active interface and a four-channel 12-bit A/D. The STA2056 is ideal for in-vehicle telematics and navigation OEM applications. In addition, I2C (Inter-IC), UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter), SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), and GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output) complete the range of available interfaces. The availability of an embedded 4-kbyte back-up RAM allows the storing of GPS information, optimizing start-up performances.
The GPS code is available in ROM for the full GPS function with both EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service) and WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) capability.
Core frequency (up to 66MHz), ROM size (256-kbyte) and on-chip peripherals/interfaces are provided such that the STA2056 can be used as a host CPU in a telematic unit.
The standard package is a space-saving QFN68. A development version with Flash external memory interface (TQFP 176-pin package) is also available for custom code development before freezing a production-ROM version.
Samples of the STA2056 are available now. Pricing in quantities of 100k pieces will be below $8.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2003, the Company's net revenues were $7.24 billion and net earnings were $253 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com
