Broadcom introduces a single chip with integrated GPS function that should be used in PND

     Broadcom has announced a new navigation processor and Power management (PMU) solution for personal navigation devices (PNDS). This latest "Single-chip Personal Navigation Device (ND-on-a-Chip)" integrates many of the expensive external components required for similar solutions, including Global Positioning system (GPS) baseband, radio frequency (RF) circuits and low noise amplifiers (Lnas), as well as high-power applications and graphics processors. In terms of providing a graphical user experience with realistic maps and providing navigation information for a new generation of personal navigation devices, this "single chip Personal Navigation device" solution provides all the key components without the latency and blocky rendering that many existing devices have.

     Today's personal navigation devices are limited by the processing and graphical capabilities of application processors, often making maps slow and user interfaces ugly. In contrast, personal navigation device manufacturers can use the hardware graphics processing unit of this new "single chip Personal navigation device" to design fascinating 3D user interfaces while accelerating mapping for the richest and most convenient user experience possible.

     The BroadcomBCM4760 system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution integrates some of the expensive external components required for similar solutions. Manufactured using Broadcom's 65nm process, the BCM4760 also integrates the audio codec, touch screen controller and USB2.0 controller with the high-speed transceiver all on a single chip. This eliminates the need for personal navigation devices based on the BCM4760 to have these components externally, reducing system cost, power consumption and complexity.

     The BCM4760 is a complete low-power single-chip system solution that integrates high-performance GPS receiver and baseband, an ARM11TM processor, an OpenGL®ES1.1/OpenVGTM1.0 compatible graphics processor, and advanced analog technology. The BCM4760 is one of the most integrated solutions ever designed for the personal navigation market. Its built-in application processing capabilities are powerful enough to be used as the core processor for a variety of devices outside the personal navigation device market, such as personal media players, gaming devices, and other mobile products.

     ScottPomerantz, vice president and general manager of Broadcom's GPS business unit, said: "Our proven expertise in integrating complex RF, analog and digital circuits at a very small geometric size has enabled us to deliver the industry's first such solution to the personal navigation device market. "By providing an application processor that integrates GPS baseband and RF on a single chip without sacrificing any performance, Broadcom is enabling high-end graphics performance in a new class of personal navigation devices."

     The BCM4760 single-chip system is accompanied by the latest BCM59040 Power management Unit (PMU) for advanced mobile device terminals based on the BCM4760. This all-CMOS power management unit incorporates advanced power management technologies such as high efficiency DC/DC converters, high performance LDO, a switch regulation charger with USB and AC adapter inputs, USBOTG (On-The-Go) detection, and Vbus boost control. All of these features are in line with the needs of manufacturers of personal navigation devices and portable media players.

     The BCM4760 single-chip system also supports integration with Broadcom's industry-leading wireless connectivity solutions, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and combo chip solutions. The BCM4760 also includes a main peripheral interface for easy integration with the BroadcomBCM2727 low-power mobile multimedia processor. In addition, the BCM4760 also contains a built-in memory interface and USB2.0OTG interface.