Low-power GPS Data CollectorFor Digital Cameras

A problem with GPS units is that they consume a lot of power, due to their antennae collecting data from satellites on a non-stop basis.

Now we learn from Imaging-Resource (a digital camera Web site) about a new GPS data collector that consumes so little power that it (apparently) can run a year on a single lithium button battery. There is much detail at I-R (including a link to a video interview), but here is a taste of how it works:

Rather than try to do all the processing that's normally required for computing a GPS fix, the NXP device simply takes a digital "snapshot" of the raw GPS data whenever it wakes up. This only takes a tenth of a second, and consumes almost no power. Later (back on your computer), their client software queries a server they maintain, that's continuously logging the detailed "ephemeris" data for all 32 GPS satellites.

This system works only when you can wait to get to an Internet-enabled computer, to download the complete GPS data. I-R sees all digital cameras as an obvious application; but this system isn't going to work for tourists relying on handheld GPS units in the twisty streets of downtown Prague.

Comments

[Stefan Boeykens]

So what is the use of a GPS unit that can't tell you your current location? It's portable, it runs for a long time, but it can't give you your location! When you hook it onto a computer, you are probably well aware of your current location.
And I don't think plugging it into a PC at a local internet-cafe would be allowed.

[ralphg]

I think it captures just enough information with each photo that later on it can get the full GPS data. I could see it being useful even on vacation: drawing lines on a map of the city or country you visited.

[Cameras with GPS]

This and other devices like the Eye-Fi are practically obsolete now that digital cameras are showing up with GPS. *sigh* technology sometimes just moves along too quickly, eh? ;-)