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Integrating multi-functioning Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver modules for applications in the commercial, industrial and consumer segments such as wearable and handheld devices is very challenging due to size constraints. To address this issue, Telit Wireless Solutions, a vendor of high-quality machine-to-machine (M2M) modules and value-added services, has introduced an ultra-compact GPS receiver module – Jupiter SE880 – which is based on the latest 3D embedded technology.

The company claims it to be the market's smallest GPS receiver module. Jupiter SE880 is a 48-channel 4.7x4.7mm Land Grid Array (LGA), SiRFstarIV-based receiver module featuring 3D component embedding technology, which helps the device to attain high-performance in all dimensions critical for regular or size-constrained GPS applications.

Dominikus Hierl, chief marketing officer at Telit Wireless (News - Alert) Solutions, said in a statement, "The Jupiter SE880 keeps with Telit's tradition of leading the industry in miniaturization.”

Hierl added, “…Taking up less than 40mm, the footprint makes it the best GNSS platform for high-volume ultra-compact mobile/tracking applications and advanced consumer devices such as sports watches, cameras, tablets and others, where the SE880 becomes the only solution delivering stellar specifications from such a small package."

Integrating all components necessary for a fully functioning receiver design, the new Jupiter SE880 requires only a 32 KHz external crystal for its time-base and TCXO to complete the design, along with antenna, power and data connections, which are sufficient to the integrator's requirements.

Telit claims that the SE880 receiver module was developed to shorten time-to-market and to make the chipset-versus-module decision an easy one for device integrators. Consequently, integrators can attain a working SE880-based design in as little as a few days versus several months when starting from a chipset reference design.

Furthermore, the Jupiter SE880 is a single-constellation GPS product enhanced for maximum sensitivity, making the device capable of class-unique achievements such as a one-satellite acquisition of UTC; fixing acquisition with minimal sky-visibility in placed such as any indoor environment, garages, urban canyons, and more.

According to Telit, the Jupiter SE880 draws a low 50 to 500 µAmps in its micro-power stand-by mode, therefore making it extremely battery-power friendly. From this mode, it can produce a first-fix in a few seconds when waking from a few hours of stand-by and still less than 10 seconds when waking from a full day of stand-by, in turn making it ideal for wearable and personal digital device applications.

Apart from featuring very high sensitivity, the Jupiter SE880 also has an extended operating temperature range of -40 and +85°C wherein noise-versus-gain performance is linearly balanced throughout the range.This feature makes it ideal for applications such as sports watches and OEM automotive navigation systems.

Hierl further added, "When you bundle the SE880 with a Telit cellular module you have the optimal Wireless+GPS solution in terms of total cost effectiveness, footprint, ease-of-integration, and time-to-market."