Broad Capture Radio Technology for Simultaneous Tri-band Reception of Visible GNSS Satellites

Broadcom, a wired and wireless semiconductor company, announced today the release of a new Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) wireless connectivity chip, expanding its automotive portfolio. The BCM89774 reduces power consumption for in-vehicle applications and lowers BOM costs for automakers while providing improved location tracking.

Automotive GPS shipments are expected to more than double by 2022, creating significant opportunities among component suppliers and establishing a competitive landscape for market share. Broadcom’s BCM89774 distinguishes itself by providing OEMs with one of the most accurate solutions available today. As the only broadband capture radio technology capable of providing simultaneous tri-band reception of all visible GNSS satellites—including the US GPS, European GAL, Japanese QZSS, Russian GLONASS, Chinese BDS, and global SBAS augmentation systems—the new chip enhances the consumer experience by improving location tracking in dense urban environments and densely forested areas.

Reduced power consumption through sensor hub and CPU integration

In addition, Broadcom integrates the sensor hub and CPU into a single chip, significantly reducing power consumption and lowering BOM costs for automotive manufacturers. BCM89774 is optimized to meet the strict standards of the automotive industry, has passed the automotive environmental certification AECQ100, is manufactured in a TS16949 certified facility, and provides PPAP (Production Parts Approval Process) support.

Richard Barrett, Director of Broadcom’s Automotive Wireless Connectivity business unit, stated, “Broadcom’s new automotive GNSS connectivity chips provide automotive manufacturers and key suppliers with advanced accuracy and reduced power consumption, while also lowering BOM costs.” He further expressed his ambition, saying, “Broadcom will drive market growth by providing premium products that exceed automotive-grade requirements.”

Broadcom announced that the BCM89774 operates in a low-power mode for emergency services and theft tracking applications, adding location awareness capabilities to the existing functions of a sensor hub for reduced power consumption and BOM costs, and that it is capable of simultaneous reception of GPS, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS, and Galileo navigation satellites and supports SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System).

It was also stated that it manages sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to provide a sensor data tracking subsystem fused with CAN bus input, is equipped with full passthrough capabilities for external host-based systems, has passed the automotive environmental certification AECQ100, and is manufactured in a TS16949 certified facility.