u-blox Launches AssistNow(TM) A-GPS Service Framework

u-blox Launches AssistNow(TM) A-GPS Service Framework

June 09, 2006

(A photograph can be downloaded from http://www.u-blox.com/news/assistnow.jpg )

    THALWIL, Switzerland, June 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
u-blox AG, a leading GPS technology and solution provider,
today introduced AssistNow(TM), a complete Assisted GPS
("A-GPS") service package that brings instant
positioning to any u-blox GPS-enabled device with mobile
phone connectivity.

    The new technology cuts a GPS receiver's Time To First
Fix ("TTFF") to seconds by providing the receiver
with assistance data that practically eliminates download
times of data originating from the satellites. AssistNow
enables applications that provide on the go, accurate and
reliable location information with minimal installation and
maintenance efforts. From enhanced personal navigation
services, that can be consulted on the fly from a PDA or a
mobile phone, to complex, multi-user/terminal management
systems for vehicles, goods or staff, the range of
potential applications is broad.

    "GPS users increasingly require accurate
positioning data in real time, either to pinpoint a
location in an emergency situation or to manage their
business assets more effectively," said Karsten Tietz,
VP Sales EMEA at 
u-blox. "Our new off the shelf AssistNow service
addresses these needs by providing a GPS position
immediately when you need it."

    Standard GPS operation requires a minimum of four
satellites to transmit their precise orbital position data,
called Ephemeris, to the GPS receiver. However, bad signal
conditions can hinder, or even prevent, the data from
downloading. A-GPS provides assistance data, such as
Ephemeris, Almanac, as well as accurate time and satellite
status, which boosts acquisition performance enabling
instant positioning, even under difficult signal
conditions.

    AssistNow accesses positioning data from a network of
u-blox GPS receivers deployed globally, called the
AssistNow Global Reference Network, which collects data
from satellites and sends it to a dedicated AssistNow Root
Server. This server calculates the assistance data and
instantly transmits it to customer user terminals or a
client's proxy server.

    Customers who opt for the AssistNow Direct Service
package get direct access to the AssistNow Root Server. All
a customer needs is a TCP/IP Internet connection, such as a
GPRS wireless network connection, to enable the data flow
between the terminals and the AssistNow Root Server
providing the data. u-blox operates and maintains the
server, and provides the GPS receivers for the user
terminals.

    Alternatively, customers with a large number of mobile
devices, may choose the AssistNow Proxy Server framework,
where the customer is provided with the necessary software
to operate a proxy server on his/her own premises, which
receives periodic data updates from the AssistNow Root
Server and handles all assistance data requests locally.

    To find out more about AssistNow, visit 
http://www.u-blox.com/technology/assistnow/

    About u-blox

    u-blox is an international company headquartered in
Switzerland, with sales organizations in the Americas,
Europe and Asia. Founded in 1997, u-blox develops leading
positioning technology, products and services based on the
Global Positioning System (GPS) for the automotive and
mobile communications markets. For more information, please
visit http://www.u-blox.com .
    
    For more information, please contact:

     Georg zur Bonsen
     Product Management
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Alicia Montoya
     Marketing Communications
     phone: [phone] 
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  u-blox AG