Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Broadcom Taps Firm For Wi-Fi Positioning

Irvine-based Broadcom is adding Wi-Fi positioning features into its chipsets by tapping the technology of Skyhook Wireless, the firm said Tuesday. According to Broadcom, it is using Skyhook to add Wi-Fi positioning capability as part of its location based services infrastructure. The technology, which uses Wi-Fi signals from geolocated access points to pinpoint the location of cell phones, will supplement positioning data from GPS, assisted-GPS, and cell tower signals. Financial details of the relationship were not disclosed. Broadcom said the technology from Skyhook will assist in determining the location of cell phone in areas where GPS does not work well, such as deep urban and indoor environments. Broadcom's chipsets are targeted at mobile device and personal navigation device manufacturers. Skyhook Wireless is based in Boston.

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