Wave Issue 0209 3/15/02 Article 4-01

***Sarantel and SyChip Collaborate On an All-In-One GPS Receiver
Antenna
(March 15)

Sarantel and SyChip will use the CTIA Wireless 2002 show to
preview the first in the range of Dios all-in-one GPS (Global
Positioning System) receivers, which combine an omni-directional
GPS antenna with SyChip's GPS2020 GPS receiver.

The Dios Tracker 2020, which measures 50 x 18 mm and weighs 28g,
presents any system with an RS232 serial data stream containing
SiRF binary or NEMA standard navigational information. It can be
integrated into a variety of applications such as PDAs, notebook
PCs, asset and vehicle tracking, in-car navigation and mobile
computing platforms to provide geographical fixes with low
significant size and battery life impact.

The Dios Tracker 2020's small size and fast operation is due to a
combination of Sarantel's PowerHelix antenna technology and
SyChip's GPS2020 receiver. The antenna results in omni-
directional performance and immunity to proximity interference
from people, equipment and buildings.

The core of the design is SyChip's GPS2020 GPS module which
measures 15mm x 13mm x 3.75mm and weighs just 1g. The module is
designed with a stacked architecture containing SiRF's SiRFStar
IIe GPS chip set and 8Mbit FLASH. The RF section includes the RF
IC, LNA, GPS crystal, SAW filter and all the necessary passive
components. Sychip's chip-on-chip technology and RF expertise are
used to make this miniature product, demonstrating true system-
level integration.

The Dios Tracker 2020 does not require a ground plane and
therefore suits applications where size, weight and security are
key requirements.

Serial data input, output and 5V and ground are the only
connections needed, and all are made via one flying lead that
exits through the base of the shielded metal case housing the
circuitry.

The Dios Tracker 2020 antenna, which operates on the GPS L1-band
(1575.42MHz), uses Sarantel's patented PowerHelix design in which
copper tracks, deposited on to a small ceramic cylinder, are
individually laser-trimmed for optimum frequency response. This
construction brings several key benefits. The Dios Tracker 2020
can be mounted side-by-side in combined applications such as
Bluetooth and GPS without loss of performance. Dios Tracker 2020
also has a broad beamwidth (3dB contour up to 120(degree)
typical) making it effective at picking up GPS signals regardless
of orientation or movement and allowing it to track low-elevation
satellites, thereby improving overall GPS performance and speed
of response.