NemeriX and Axonn provide technology platform for world’s first satellite messenger
Written by NemeriX
Wednesday, 07 November 2007
NemeriX and Axonn providing GPS and communications backbone for SPOT
Inc.’s lifesaving emergency messenger and personal tracking device
November 7, 2007, Manno Switzerland – NemeriX, a leading fabless semiconductor company specializing in ultra low power, high-performance A-GPS solutions for GPS and location-based service products, today announces that its NX2 system has been chosen as the GPS solution for the SPOT™ Satellite Messenger, the world’s first satellite messenger.
Now shipping in the United States with availability in Europe expected in early 2008, the SPOT Messenger is a revolutionary satellite-based emergency messenger and personal tracker that, for the first time, gives consumers a vital line of communication, independent of cellular or wireless coverage, from virtually anywhere on the planet. The SPOT messenger uses the GPS satellite network to accurately determine a customer’s location and transmit information via the SPOT network to friends, family or an emergency service centre. SPOT has been developed for SPOT Inc. – a subsidiary of satellite voice and data service provider Globalstar (NASDAQ: GSAT) – by Axonn LLC, the exclusive provider of hardware for the Globalstar Simplex Data Network.
The newly developed SPOT Messenger combines Axonn’s proficiency in the development of advanced wireless technology hardware for tracking and monitoring remote assets, with NemeriX’s ultra low power GPS technology and positioning expertise.
GPS signals are processed by the NemeriX system within the 239 g (7.37 ounce) SPOT Messenger, which takes AA size lithium batteries and, when powered on, has a standby battery life of approximately 12 months. NemeriX’s NX2 baseband processor, designed for C/A code L1 GPS low power applications, acts as a flexible GPS enabled micro-controller, with a highly integrated, low noise RF front-end receiver.
Axonn CEO Dave Biggs explains: “NemeriX’s ultra low power and highly reliable, high precision location determination technology was crucial to our ability to produce an affordable, personal safety device that can be used outside the coverage areas of cellular phones.”
Lew Boore, VP of Marketing for NemeriX comments: “This is a truly exciting and extremely valuable application and validates NemeriX’s position as the premier provider of low-cost, high performance GPS solutions. We are delighted that Axonn chose our GPS positioning technology to work alongside their communications expertise to deliver the world’s first satellite messenger.”
SPOT’s functionality, light weight, and affordability makes it ideal for the growing market of outdoor enthusiasts, specifically when they are backpacking, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, ice and rock climbing, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing or participating in recreational maritime activities.
SPOT message and tracking functions enable users to send messages to friends, family or emergency responders, based on varying levels of need and to visually track the location of the SPOT satellite messenger:
• Alert 9-1-1 signals an emergency response center to dispatch emergency responders to an exact location
• Ask for Help sends a request for help to friends and family
• Check In lets contacts know where you are and that you are OK
• Track Progress sends and saves your location and allows your selected contacts to track your progress using Google Maps and www.findmespot.com with password-protected security.
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