u-blox's AssistNow A-GPS Service to Support Offline Instant Positioning

The Swiss provider of GPS receiver technology, u-blox, announced that it has extended its AssistNow A-GPS service. The new AssistNow Offline service provides A-GPS assistance data that enables instant positioning over extended time periods without the need for mobile connectivity.

u-blox' AssistNow technology cuts a GPS receiver's Time To First Fix to seconds by providing assistance data that enables the receiver to compute a position instantly. While AssistNow Online, introduced in June 2006, uses mobile networks to provide the assistance data at each start-up, the new AssistNow Offline service works independently of networks and does not require server access for data downloads at start-up. The service provides assistance data valid for up to 14 days so users can update their assistance data files at their own convenience. AssistNow Offline uses AlmanacPlus assistance data, u-blox' unique differential Almanac correction method that achieves high positioning accuracy for long time periods.

"This new service brings instant GPS positioning anytime, anywhere," said Daniel Ammann, u-blox Executive Vice-President for GNSS Software. "Users can now benefit from always-on, accurate location services without having to worry about network coverage or waiting times."

AssistNow is scalable and supports a wide range of services, from single user GPS-enabled applications to complex multi-user, multi-terminal vehicle, goods or staff management systems. The service works on all Flash-based ANTARIS 4 GPS receivers and will be available as a "Free Service" or "Premium Service".

AssistNow Offline is currently available in Beta version, with the production version scheduled for the second quarter of 2007.