Garmin selects MediaTek GPS chipsets for outdoor navigation devices

HSINCHU, TAIWAN: MediaTek Inc., the leading fabless semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions, announced MT3329, its advanced single-chip all-in-one GPS solution.

This product in mass production has also been integrated by a wide range of Garmin outdoor navigators, the Garmin GPSMAP 60 series. The adoption of MT3329 by Garmin, a world leader in portable navigation, shows MediaTek's ability to deliver superior tracking sensitivity with least power consumption which is vital for Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs).

The MediaTek MT3329 single-chip baseband features -165dBm ultra-high sensitivity with least power consumption of competitive solutions, also the fastest acquisition on the market, designed for mobile navigation devices where rapid time-to-first-fix (TTFF) and superior navigation performance are required. Besides, the MediaTek MT3329 enables the most precise positioning even under slow movements like hiking or mountain climbing, which is ideal for Garmin's outdoor navigators.

In addition, the MT3329 and its associated software set new standards in performance and power consumption in an extremely small footprint, which brings the industry-leading MT3329 GPS performance to the price-conscious and space-constrained mobile devices such as PNDs, outdoor fitness device and cell phones.

"By enabling the best navigation performance in the most economical way, the MediaTek MT3329 allows manufacturers to add GPS functionality to the components and circuit board area of their products at minimal cost," said Shou-Ren Tsai, General Manager of MediaTek's Wireless Connectivity Business Unit.

"MediaTek has now established itself as a technology leader in the GPS chip market with a solution that provides the industry's best tracking sensitivity, lowest average power and most complete portfolio of software, complemented by the company's unique ability to integrate its GPS technology into other mobile chipsets and processors."

GPS technologies have become increasingly important with growing consumer interest in personal navigation devices (PNDs) and a strong desire of cellular service operators to add location-based services to their offerings. As GPS chip solutions become more integrated, and as costs decline, the technology will expand into a whole new range of applications.

Working hand-in-hand with MediaTek, customers are able to take full advantage of the MT3329 solutions. By providing real-time technical support along with the chipsets, MediaTek is able to offer customers a one-stop-shop for all of their positioning technology needs.