Location chip for wearables

Nasdaq-listed Broadcom Corporation, a provider of semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications, has introduced Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) system-on-chip (SoC). The device is suitable for low-power, mass-market wearable devices such as fitness trackers and smart watches.

The Broadcom BCM4771 GNSS SoC with on-chip sensor hub enables consumers to more accurately track and manage their health and wellbeing by delivering precision activity tracking and location data while consuming less power than traditional architectures. This enables location intelligence and the extended battery life needed by the growing wearable market.

Wearable wireless device revenues are projected to exceed $6 billion in 2018 with sports, fitness and wellness as the largest segment with 50% share of all device shipments, according to ABI Research.

"Today's wearables like fitness trackers have surged in popularity, but often miscalculate speed and distance," said Mohamed Awad, broadcom director, marketing, mobile and wireless group.

"As the largest supplier of discrete GNSS solutions, Broadcom brings its location expertise to deliver more precise fitness and health measurements to the accelerating wearable market."

Broadcom's new chip constantly monitors user activity levels and location history to improve accuracy while adding advanced features such as location batching. In addition, Broadcom's BCM4771 significantly reduces power consumption and board area by combining its location capabilities with an integrated sensor hub, contextual awareness and GNSS. The solution is complemented by Broadcom's Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) Smart and WICED Direct software development kits (SDKs) to provide additional wireless connectivity to the platform.

The company is showcasing its mobile innovations at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, 24-27 February. For more news, visit Broadcom's Newsroom.

Key features of the system include: designed in 40 nm process technology, the BCM4771 GNSS SoC includes a sensor hub that integrates sensor inputs for its on-chip algorithms to detect the user's context, accurately compute speed and distance travelled, and provide fitness applications with the GNSS track. Power savings and advanced accuracy are achieved by intelligently leveraging context detection through the tight coupling of sensor inputs and GNSS on a single SoC. The system also realises a lower overall bill of materials (BOM) cost through the integration of a multipurpose sensor hub.