GR-10 GPS receiver plays the "world's smallest" card

At this point, we hardly need to offer up a skeptical disclosure about the oft played "world's smallest" claim, but the 12-channel GR-10 GPS chip actually might be the most diminutive at the moment. Coming in at just ten- x ten- by two-millimeters in size, this wee device rocks a pair of serial ports, -152dBm sensitivity, 35mA operating current, and can open up "new doors" in the dodgy realm of voyeurism precautionary tracking. It was noted that an external antenna will be required, theoretically adding quite a bit of mass to the finished product, but let's not argue over semantics. The uber-tiny GR-10 is available now for $58.46 if ordering more than ten units at a time, but since you aren't likely to cough up $584.60 real quick like, just click on through for an impressive size comparison shot.

[Via MAKE]

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 12th 2007 1:39AM]

uh, you'll need a battery, and a microcontroller too... that'll add a lot more size than an antenna. In the end, it won't be much smaller than a SiRFStarIII based tracking device.

[pbase Posted Apr 12th 2007 2:01AM]

Is it possble to imbed these, somehow, into my expensive car audio equipment, so that I may track the thief and deliver the most severe beatdown he's ever likely to get in his entire life?

[zx3junglist Posted Apr 12th 2007 2:44AM]

sure, just tell me where you live. I'll come right over and.. er.. install it for you!

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 12th 2007 2:49AM]

Well.. It says that the device will be rocking a pair of serial ports, so i guess the only thing I`ll need to imbed it in my thinkpad would be power abd the antenna (hidden in the pcmcia slot :P)

Now - Who`s with me ordering 10 units!? :P

[TheAdamKramer Posted Apr 12th 2007 3:02AM]

I would definetly order one with you if you weren't kidding.

There's lots of online sites that let you collect money for group expenditures safely (supposedly), so maybe we could get 8 other people and do one of those :-)

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 12th 2007 3:38AM]

I`m serious - Hell i want one of those in my thinkpad!
Never heard of those sites - but it sounds like a good idea

Anyone else interested??

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 12th 2007 3:50AM]

It won't be long before you'll have to bug-scan yourself and your car and the chick your knocking off in the next town and her car for hidden GPS recievers or you'll come home to an irate wife a Google map trackline and some quick bullshit to think of.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2007 1:27PM]

Quite nicely sized module. Seems to have u-Nav's receiver chip inside.

[drb Posted Apr 12th 2007 11:01AM]

I'm not so comfortable with pitching into a group fund, but if anyone figures out how to hook this up to their laptop (my thinkpad is coveting one as well), post links. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I had the know-how.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 12th 2007 11:06AM]

...Wow Engadget, you didn't even mention who made the damn thing. Nice job.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 12th 2007 11:24AM]

http://www.micro-modular.com/

They have had a 10x10mm chip for a while now... I have a dev kit sitting next to me, the extra circuitry isn't much, but the power requirements will make the entire GPS solution bigger than 10mmx10mm.

[Westlands Posted Apr 12th 2007 7:39PM]

Please Apple, put this in the iPhone.

[Westlands Posted Apr 13th 2007 12:11PM]

Never lose another quarter.

[robomaniac Posted Apr 12th 2007 9:52PM]

you can buy them here

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8291I

Give sparkfun a couple of weeks and they will have a prototype PCB to go with it!

How could I know the precision of that GPS? thanks

J-