GNSS IC yields 50% greater IoT device accuracy

Addressing the challenge of a GNSS receiver consuming a high percentage of available power in battery-based IoT devices, Synaptics Inc. unveiled its SYN4778, claimed as the smallest, lowest power, most accurate global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) IC. Targeting IoT applications, the SYN4778 draws 80% less power, provides a 50% improvement in accuracy, and is housed in a package 30% smaller than comparable devices.

For IoT applications, the solution extends battery life, reduces product size, and enhances performance of advanced location-based services (LBSs), said Synaptics. Applications include wearables, mobile accessories, asset tagging and tracking, drones, and transportation navigation.

(Source: Synaptics)

According to Brandon Bae, Sr., Synaptics’ director of product marketing, the company can provide more location-based functionality as a significant differentiator for handheld and wearable IoT device developers. This enables the coupling of GPS with complementary localization features including Bluetooth’s high accuracy distance measurement (HADM).

In addition to the GNSS IC’s 7-nm semiconductor process and on-chip power management for reduced power draw, the chip uses both the L1 and L5 satellite bands, reducing the chip’s time to first fix (TTFF) by 35% and the power consumed for first fix by 72%. This enables designers to extend battery life and shrink the overall product design or add more functionality and features such as biometrics, movement, and ambient sensors, said Synaptics.

The GNSS IC provides advanced multipath interference mitigation, LTE jamming and signal filtering, and continuous search and track of the complete GNSS channels for greater positioning accuracy, particularly in urban environments. Other features include support for multiple operating systems and third-party software and a low-noise, high-linearity RF front-end that makes an external LNA and second SAW filter optional.

Housed in a 40-ball FCBGA package, measuring 2.4  × 2.7 mm, the SYN4778 is currently being sampled to select customers. Synaptics is showcasing the SYN4778 GNSS IC, along with other products, at CES 2023, in the Venetian Hotel, Bellini Ballroom #2105.