SiRFstarV™ 5ea positioning platforms, Chinese BDS support, and the latest automotive DR (Dead Red Navigation) updates

November 18, 2014 – CSR ( http://www.csr.com ), a global provider of innovative semiconductor ICs and software solutions for location awareness, multimedia, and cloud connectivity, announced two software products for SiRFstarV™ 5ea automotive quad-GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System).

Along with major updates to the software Dead Reckoning algorithm of SiRFstarV™ 5ea, support for the simultaneous use of GPS and China's BeiDou satellite system (BDS) has been added. With this update, SiRFstarV™ 5ea has secured enhanced vehicle location tracking performance that meets the requirements of OEM manufacturers worldwide.

In addition, SiRFstarV™ 5ea has added support for China's BDS, following the existing GPS and GLONASS. This allows the new software to provide automotive OEMs with the flexibility to operate using either GPS and GLONASS or GPS and BDS. The new BDS support offers OEMs the opportunity to launch products in regions where BDS support is required. BDS is currently available in China and surrounding countries. The SiRFstarV™ 5ea platform, optimized for the industry's stringent requirements and product lifecycle for automotive use, will also support Galileo through future software upgrades.

Anthony Murray, Senior Vice President of the Business Group at CSR, explained, “All automotive OEMs can benefit from design flexibility with the state-of-the-art SiRFstarV™ 5ea vehicle location platform. For example, vehicle manufacturers and OEMs can create a globally standardized platform and easily configure it to operate according to regional requirements or preferred features. In fact, vehicle manufacturers in Asia have been requesting a globally standardized platform along with simultaneous support for GPS and BDS, which were regional market requirements.”

SiRFDRive in SiRFstarV™ 5ea includes CSR's latest Dead Reckoning algorithms that operate simultaneously with GPS and GLONASS. The combination of an increased number of satellites within line of sight and the latest Dead Reckoning algorithms demonstrates improved performance even in challenging environments such as Chicago or Tokyo.

Anthony Murray explained, “Most industry-leading automakers require more complete dead reckoning capabilities to simplify product design processes and achieve rapid time-to-market,” adding that SiRFDRive can expand support ranges from low-end to high-end telematics and navigation systems through a cutting-edge plug-and-play approach.

The SiRFstarV™ 5ea is an independent engine platform designed to meet the AEC-Q100 qualification requirements of the automotive market. The platform is supplied to major vehicle manufacturers and OEMs worldwide, along with continuous and accurate positioning technology for next-generation embedded navigation and telematics for automobiles, trucks, and other vehicles, including vehicle components, as well as related application technologies.

The updated SiRFstarV™ 5ea evaluation kit is available now, and the SiRFstarV™ 5ea platform is preparing for integration with next-generation infotainment and telematics products. Pricing and additional information on the product can be obtained by contacting CSR.