STMicroelectronics Debuts the World's First Single-Chip Positioning Device for Multiple Global Navigation Systems

GENEVA, Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a leading supplier of semiconductors for navigation and car infotainment, today introduced Teseo II, a new generation of single-chip stand-alone positioning receivers for Portable Navigation Devices, in-car navigation and telematics applications. These Systems-on-Chips are the industry's first monolithic devices capable of receiving signals from multiple satellite navigation systems, including GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS and QZSS*. ST's Teseo II family combines high positioning accuracy and indoor sensitivity performance with powerful processing capabilities and superior design flexibility.

The ability of ST's newest positioning devices to acquire the position, velocity and time data from all major global navigation systems greatly improves the user position accuracy and navigation in poor satellite visibility conditions, such as in urban canyons. The Teseo II chips also offer exceptionally short signal-acquisition times (Time To First Fix), leveraging ST's own Self-Trained Assisted GPS™ technology, which improves the startup performance of a positioning device in difficult signal conditions.  

ST's newest positioning SoCs address a wide range of consumer and automotive applications, including Personal Navigation Devices, GNSS modules, marine equipment, fitness devices, in-car navigation, telematics, eCall and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. The Teseo II family comprises automotive-grade product versions, designed to meet the specific and rigorous demands of the automotive market. These are qualified to AEC-Q100, a critical stress-test qualification for automotive integrated circuits, and manufactured using ST's rigorous automotive production flow methodology aimed at zero parts-per-million failure rate.

"Teseo II is the world's first single-chip solution able to acquire and track signals from satellites of multiple global navigation systems, including GPS, GLONASS and QZSS that are operational today, as well as Europe's upcoming GALILEO," said Fabio Marchio, Automotive Product Group Vice-President and General Manager of ST's Automotive Infotainment Division. "The superior positioning accuracy, combined with powerful processing capabilities and open platform approach, makes ST's Teseo II chips an ideal choice for next-generation navigation and telematics applications, where cost-effectiveness meets uncompromised performance."

A stand-alone solution, the Teseo II positioning receiver integrates a powerful ARM9 core for on-chip data processing. Further increasing cost-effectiveness, the unique open-platform approach provides the ARM9 processing capability and a rich set of peripherals for flexible customer application designs. The peripherals include USB 2.0, CAN (Controller Area Network), A/D converter, I(2)C, MSP (Multi-channel Serial Port), UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter) and general-purpose I/Os.

Samples of ST's Teseo II receivers (STA8088EX) are available and volume production is scheduled for Q3 2011. Unit pricing of the STA8088EX is below $6 for volumes in the range of 500,000 pieces.

* Notes to Editors:

Galileo, the European global navigation satellite system, is currently scheduled to become fully operational in 2013-2014.

Glonass (Global Navigation Satellite System) is the Russian alternative and complement to GPS. It currently covers 100% of Russia's territory and is soon planned to provide continuous global coverage.

QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) is a Japanese enhancement for GPS. Its first satellite was launched in 2010.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2009, the Company's net revenues were $8.51 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com. 

SOURCE STMicroelectronics