A new Galileo/GPS receiver to track weak signals as low as -170 dBm (!)

The GPS receivers of today have much better sensitivity to the weak satellite signals than their predecessors few short years ago. The units based on the popular SiRFstarIII chipset can track signals as low as -159 dBm.

Under controlled conditions, systems using SE4120L, a new receiver by SiGe Semiconductor, are capable of tracking satellite signals down to as low as -170 dBm.

SE4120L, the world’s first Galileo-ready receiver IC, has received a leading product accolade in the EDN (Electronic Design News) China Innovation Awards 2007. Read more »

^^^ yep the key thingy is the built-in LNA with a noise figure of 1.6 dB. External active antennas can have lower noise figures but they sure are not as convenient.

Yes, Bob, I agree. Any new GPS receiver on the market today is good enough for me. What matters more these days is the convenience. Any kind of GPS receiver built-in a UMPC is better than the best GPS receiver outside a UMPC .

By the way, before X-mas I was very close to buying myself Fujitsu U810, just like the one you have. But I resisted the temptation. However, if it came with a built-in GPS, most likely I would be a proud owner of it by now .

But I don't want the UMPC up on the front dash or rear window deck of a car. That is the beauty/convenience of a tiny bluetooth GPS -- it can be put in a, visable to satellites position, while the UMPC/laptop can be left on a car seat and just talk to you. Less temptation to take your eyes off of the road.

Convertable cars in nice climates are a different case.

Yes, but with the small size of your Fujitsu U810, it is starting to be practical to even use a suction cup mount, and have it right in front of your eyes, just like a PND, instead of keeping your computer beside you on the passenger seat.

^^^ I have a WAF problem with front windshield suction cap mounting. YMMV.

Ram-Mounts sells even dashboard mounts for U810 ;-)