CSI Wireless Inc. has been granted a patent for GPS software that allows for more accurate location

tracking without having to invest in newer equipment or pay expensive yearly subscription fees to differential GPS (DGPS) signals. Last month, the U.S. Patent Office awarded the Calgary-based company with a patent for its e-Dif (extended differential) software. CSI Wireless EssentialsQ1 2002, ending March 31, marks first profitable quarter for company. It posted net earnings of $1.05 million. Q1 sales increased 14% to nearly $14 million. Profitability driven by increased sales and reduced operating expenses. R&D expenditures increased 17% to about $2 million. Q1 deficit was about $17 million.While commercial satellite users don’t have to pay for access to DGPS signals in North America, the signals are only available for yearly subscription fees in regions such as South America, Africa, and Australia. E-Dif achieves enhanced accuracy by computing location corrections that last as long as 40 minutes, after which a fresh set of corrections is calculated. "It (e-Dif) creates those accuracy enhancing capabilities right within the receiver itself," Stephen Verhoeff, CSI Wireless president and CEO, tells Report on Wireless. Other than having to purchase the software, "it also has a no-cost (element) associated with it," he notes. The software, which costs about US$1,200 and was developed by CSI Wireless’ SatLoc LLC subsidiary, enables traditional GPS receivers to improve location tracking accuracy from about the 10-15 metre range to about one metre. The improved accuracy is generated through differential corrections calculated by the software, without the expense or uncertainties of DGPS signals. This will certainly bolster sales of its existing line of DGPS receivers, says Verhoeff. The software has already been uploaded to several of CSI Wireless’ products. "In our GPS division, it will definitely be a big selling factor and already is a big selling factor," Verhoeff explains. Prior to the development of the e-Dif software, the more accurate DGPS signals could only be received from limited satellite networks, such as ground-based beacon networks and the United States’ public Wide Area Augmentation Systems (WAAS). Other satellite systems that need to be used to gain DGPS accuracy are Europe’s EGNOS satellite constellation, which is currently under development, and private satellite networks such as OmniSTAR. Verhoeff says the software was developed primarily for its precision guidance market and precision agriculture market, but admits that there are possibilities in the wireless sector as well. "On our wireless side, those applications that would like to have more accuracy, this would be a very good way to supply that," he says. One market that could certainly use some help in providing accurate locations is the wireless industry. The United States is experiencing some growing pains with its mandated E911 implementation schedule. While Verhoeff is unsure whether this is a market the company will pursue in the future, he acknowledges that the potential is there. "It would be an area where it could improve the accuracy of the solution being generated by the handsets," he says.

CSI Wireless Inc. has been granted a patent for GPS software that allows for more accurate location

News | 07/09/2002 4:00 am EDT

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