SiRFstar III

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A modern SiRFstarIII chip based 20-channel GPS receiver with WAAS/EGNOS support.

SiRFstarIII is a high sensitivity GPS microcontroller chip manufactured by SiRF Technology.^[1]^[2] GPS microcontroller chips interpret signals from GPS satellites and determine the position of the GPS receiver.

1 Features
2 Manufacturers using SiRF III chipsets
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Features

SiRFstar III receiver and integrated antenna from UK company Antenova. This measures just 49 x 9 x 4mm.

The SiRFstarIII chip is distinguished from earlier SiRF chips and from GPS chipsets made by other manufacturers (Garmin or Trimble Inc for example), largely due to its ability to acquire and maintain a signal lock in urban or densely covered forest environments, and its faster Time to First Fix (TTFF), the time it takes for a GPS receiver to lock onto the satellite signals and determine the initial position. The enhanced abilities of the SiRFstarIII chips are made possible by several features:

A 20 channel receiver, which can process the signals of all visible GPS and WAAS satellites simultaneously.
The chip consumes 62 mW of power during continuous operation.
Assisted GPS can reduce TTFF to less than two seconds. This makes the chip useful for cell phone manufacturers supporting location services (such as the E911 legislation in the United States).
Receiver sensitivity of -159 dBm while tracking; GPS receivers based on this chipset have routinely performed better than receivers based on other chipsets.^[3] Reviewers have praised the SiRFstarIII chipset for its superior sensitivity and tracking capabilities.^[4]

CompactFlash SirfStar III receiver.

[edit] Manufacturers using SiRF III chipsets

Several manufacturers produce GPS receivers equipped with the SiRF III chipset. The following manufacturers produce headless, automotive, and handheld models utilizing SiRF III: