Local smartphones in China will soon be using homegrown GPS as a company recently released a chip invention that can allow access to the BeiDou navigation system.
A global navigation system is run by a space-based satellite that provides exact information on the location and time of any weather condition. The system, which is utilized for military, civil, and commercial use, has lately been utilized on smartphones to allow for easier navigation on land and at sea.
To broaden the use of the technology, the Shanghai Beiga Satellite Technology Co. created a 40-nanometer chip to promote GPS civilian use of a military-type technology. The innovation was presented during an exhibition event in Shanghai.
Beiga general manager Wang Yongping said that they are expecting the release of the chip for mass production next year, but the company has to do some test work with various smartphones first.
Beiga's invention shows that the BeiDou system will soon be applicable to the consumer electronics field. The system was initially incompatible with devices of daily use because it was too large and was consuming high energy.
The company also said that the chip will be offered to other devices such as tablets and wearable gadgets.