Taiwan-based
company Quanta, a major manufacturer of handsets for a number
of leading brands, has completed integration of E-OTD (Enhanced Observed
Time Difference) software in a GSM handset, following a tie-up with
Cambridge Positioning Systems and TTPCom.
This
is a major step forward in the development of E-OTD technology in the
US, where it is pivotal in the rollout of location-enabled cellular
phones
to meet the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) E-911 mandate.
The
move will enable GSM operators to deploy high accuracy location in line
with
FCC requirements.
TTPCom
were responsible for integrating CPS's E-OTD algorithm software into
its existing GSM/GPRS protocol stack software, which has been licensed
by
Quanta. This software upgrade has made it possible for Quanta to add
E-OTD
functionality easily to their handsets, and thereby achieve a fast time
to
market with these value added products.
"High
accuracy location-based technology is the most important enabler for
services personalised to the individual. This is a first step for the
GSM
world to make location services to save lives before addressing a wider
range of services in the very near future," Georges Boulloy, Senior
Vice
President of Wireless Business Unit 1 at Quanta said.
Gordon
Aspin, Operations Director at TTPCom said, "By closely supporting
the
integration and testing of location based functionality in Quanta's
handset,
we are pleased to have enabled them to realise one of the world's first
E-OTD handsets." He added "The capability of mobile devices
to report
their position will not only help save lives, but will enable the
development of a wide range of value added services and applications."
Chris
Wade, CPS Chief Executive, added, "E-OTD is a mass market location
technology - and seeing major global handset manufacturers such as Quanta
completing integration is a tremendous vote of confidence in its wide
market
acceptance. "
This
achievement follows extensive trials by Quanta at CPS's new testing
and
integration laboratory in Cambridge, the world's first E-OTD software
integration facility for mobile devices. Until now, it has been impossible
for terminal manufacturers to provide laboratory test results to the
mobile
network operators that are launching location-based services using E-OTD.
The
facility performs a vital role in validating the multiple software
integration projects that CPS is performing with handset development
partners worldwide. It enables all GSM terminal manufacturers to test
the
performance of CPS' positioning software within their products before
being
released to manufacturing for commercial rollout.
