GPS系統小型化

　　隨著越來越多的設備成為移動設備，定位成為嵌入式設計的一個重要組成部分。將此功能添加到設備必須更小，更輕和更長的電池壽命是一個重大挑戰。同時，實現高性能和低功耗的有效無線設計的挑戰，同時滿足項目時間表和認證機構的要求。

　　這些挑戰正在解決的新一代無線模塊，使用最新的小型化技術，利用各種全球定位系統（GPS）在世界各地，與GPS模塊的足跡急劇下降，在過去的幾年里。

　　GPS有幾個品種，從美國的GPS，歐洲的伽利略，俄羅斯的GLONASS以及中國的北斗系統。現代無線芯片組從廣泛的供應商提供訪問所有這些衛星系統，并在硅制造技術的進步提供訪問所有這些系統。

　　However， these devices still have to be integrated into a design and there are key components such as SAW filters that cannot be integrated into the silicon， and therefore provide a limit to the amount of miniaturization that is possible purely from silicon.

　　The integration of the silicon devices can help reduce the power consumption， although there are challenges of RF and digital integration that means the most advanced process technology is not appropriate. There are also issues of static current leakage that increase the power and the handling of noise in the system which can mean more power is required to get the required performance. Higher power consumption means more heat generated and larger batteries required; both of which limit the amount of miniaturization that is possible.