siano
Latest
Rosum's Alloy chip promises 'precise' location using TV signals
Though plenty of firms (including some big ones) have been trying to commercialize consumer-facing indoor positioning technologies for years, none have succeeded on a wide scale -- which certainly seems to leave the door wide open for a system that actually works to be wildly successful, doesn't it? Rosum has been toying with the idea of using plain old TV signals to accurately locate people and objects within GPS-hating structures for years, and with today's launch of its so-called Alloy system with partner Siano, the company could be closer to wide-scale deployment. Basically, Alloy combines AGPS (for maximum precision outdoors and in marginal areas) with support for a variety of types of TV signals to enhance coverage and provide <150 meter accuracy even in the deepest, darkest, dankest corners of your home where traditional GPS would never dream of going. What's more, Rosum touts that TV positioning is several orders of magnitude more power-efficient than AGPS, music to the ears of anyone who's struggling to get a full day's battery out of their phone. They're sampling chipsets beginning this month, but don't expect it in handsets right away -- Rosum's primary target appears to be femtocell makers. The devices traditionally require GPS reception, requiring unsightly remote GPS antennas if you're not interested in balancing the cell on a window sill, so a technology like this should let you properly bury that network extender behind a bookshelf where it belongs. Follow the break for Rosum's press release.
DT501HS PC Card handles DVB-H and HSDPA
If you've ever wondered just how much functionality could be crammed into a single PC Card, it seems that Onda and Siano are out to give you an answer. Deemed the "world's first combined DVB-H / HSDPA card" for Italy's TIM, the DT501HS enables users to suck down mobile TV and internet content in one fell swoop, but we've no idea if / when this thing will be made available on any other carrier(s). Notably, this device relies on Siano's wee PCB-mounted SMS8021 antenna, which means that you won't find any external protrusions here. As for pricing, we weren't able to locate any hard figures, but those parked in Italy should be able to snap one up anytime now in TIM stores.[Image courtesy of Cellular]
Siano announces SuwonExpress ExpressCard for mobile TV
Israel's Siano Mobile Silicon has announced a new accessory for those looking to bring a little mobile TV action to their laptop ExpressCard-style, with its SuwonExpress card set to make its official debut at CES in January. The card is based on Siano's own SMS1000 chipset, which will let you pick up all the usual mobile TV signals (stuff like 1seg, notwithstanding), including DAB, DAB-IP, T-DMB, DVB-T, and DVB-H, as well as standard VHF and UHF bands. You also won't have to worry about standing out from the crowd while you rig up a goofy-looking antenna, with the SuwonExpress boasting a relatively discreet integrated antenna that can be extended when needed. As Siano's an OEM manufacturer, however, pricing and availability will depend on the companies that decide to pick up on the design, although Cyberlink (who also had a hand in the card's development) looks to be on track to be the first to deliver it as part of a software bundle sometime next year.[Via ExtremeTech]
