STMicroelectronics Automotive-Grade Navigation and Dead Reckoning Module Simplifies Design, Improves Performance

     To support the development of the automotive navigation and positioning market with advanced GNSS chipsets and modules, STMicroelectronics has introduced the Teseo-VIC3DA, the latest member of the Teseo module family. Teseo-VIC3DA integrates ST's high-performance automotive satellite positioning chip Teseo III GNSS[1] IC with an automotive 6-axis MEMS inertial measurement unit (IMU) and dead reckoning software to create an automotive-compliant navigation module.

     Leveraging ST's in-house chip manufacturing and software development capabilities, the Teseo-VIC3DA module enables competitively priced in-vehicle navigation, fleet management and insurance monitoring applications. At the heart of this positioning system, the automotive-grade Teseo III GNSS IC has been proven in high-end systems and is valued for its accuracy and energy efficiency. Teseo III can sense multiple navigation satellite constellations, and can simultaneously receive signals from GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou and QZSS constellations, providing powerful positioning capabilities.

     By integrating ST's Teseo III, IMU and dead reckoning algorithms, the Teseo-VIC3DA provides extremely high positioning accuracy, even in harsh environments, such as tunnels or bridges or under multi-storey highways, underground car parks, etc. Covered areas and urban canyons between tall buildings also ensure accurate positioning of the navigation system.

     The Teseo-VIC3DA module operates at 3.3V, which helps simplify system integration, and consumes only 17μA in standby mode, greatly reducing vehicle power requirements. The new module includes a high-accuracy integrated temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) that achieves positioning accuracy of 1.5m CEP[2] in typical automotive use cases. Additionally, a dedicated real-time clock (RTC) oscillator helps ensure fast time to first fix (TTFF).

     The Teseo-VIC3DA comes pre-installed with firmware in the built-in flash memory, and the module can be updated with the free TESEO-SUITE software if necessary. The Teseo-VIC3DA has dead reckoning positioning rates up to 30Hz with extremely low latency, which reduces UART channel jitter. The Teseo-VIC3DA works autonomously with or without mileage information.

     ST has tested and certified the Teseo-VIC3DA in accordance with the European Union Radio Equipment Directive (RED), applicable ETSI standards and EN safety standards, helping customers quickly and efficiently obtain mandatory product-level approvals. The stand-alone USB powered evaluation platform EVB-VIC3DA accelerates product development based on new modules.