Location system vendor CPS has found one home for its network based location technology called Matrix.
Matrix is CPS’s latest attempt to crack the market for supporting location based services. It is unusual in that it needs no additional hardware to be added to the network. This gives it a cost advantage over GPS, as well as the lead it takes by being workable indoors, as it needs no sight of a satellite. But (like GPS) Matrix does require an application to be installed in the handset or wireless module using the service.
Perhaps the easiest way to do this is to get in at the chip layer, which is what CPS has done with TTPCom, which is based in the same town as CPS.
TTPCom has added the CPS Matrix location application to its tri-band GSM/GPRS ITM338 and ITM339 modules.
Chris Wade, Chief Executive of CPS said operators are currently “actively evaluating and selecting”.
“The availability of these new Matrix-enabled devices offers more choice to the market and significantly lowers the cost of entry for end users seeking high accuracy location capability to support corporate and enterprise services,” he added.
Stephen Larder, MD of TTPCom’s module business said the addition of the Matrix location technology would add value to the modules, especially in comparison to embedded GPS modules.
“We are delighted to be able to enhance the functionality of our already popular module designs to enable new market opportunities. In particular, our Matrix-enabled modules address needs where previously the high cost, complexity and power-consumption of GPS-based solutions has greatly limited the adoption of location based applications.”
As far as Mobile Europe can see, though, the success of its technology still depends on its adoption at a network server level by the operators. But given that devices are also required this module announcement will be welcomed.