ST releases GNSS quad-band satellite navigation receiver

STMicroelectronics has recently unveiled the Teseo VI family of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers, specifically designed for high-volume precise positioning applications. The Teseo VI STA8600A and Teseo VI+ STA8610A GNSS receivers are equipped with dual independent Arm® Cortex®-M7 processing cores, enabling local control of all functions within the IC. The Cortex-M7 processors provide powerful 32-bit processing capabilities, facilitating concurrent multi-constellation and multi-band operation on a single chip.

Featuring an innovative RF architecture and GNSS baseband design, the Teseo VI family offers quad-band GNSS support for L1, L2, L5, and E6 signals, with the unique ability to acquire and track only L5. This feature is particularly effective in reducing outliers and enhancing robustness in challenging environments such as urban canyons and areas with potential signal interference.

The Teseo VI+ model also supports various enhanced positioning engines developed by third-party ST Authorized Partner companies, enabling real-time kinematics for centimetre-level position accuracy. On the other hand, the Teseo APP2 STA9200MA within the family operates dual cores in lockstep, providing hardware redundancy suitable for applications requiring functional safety compliance, such as road vehicle guidance.

One of the key highlights of the Teseo VI family is the integration of proprietary phase-change memory (PCM) technology, eliminating the need for external memory components and simplifying the system bill of materials. The PCM technology, designed to withstand challenging environments like automotive applications, offers non-volatile characteristics similar to Flash memory and features a compact cell architecture for efficient on-chip integration.

Furthermore, the Teseo VI products are equipped with a comprehensive set of hardware cybersecurity features, including secure boot, over-the-air firmware updates, and output-data protection. A hardware security module (HSM) is also included to provide robust protection against potential online security threats. These devices comply with the latest UNECE R155 and ISO 21434 specifications, emphasizing cybersecurity by design.

The Teseo VI product family is backed by a well-established ecosystem of suppliers and partners offering algorithms, reference designs, and compatible complementary hardware. Additionally, STMicroelectronics has introduced two new GNSS automotive modules, the Teseo-VIC6A and Teseo-ELE6A, to simplify integration and optimize performance on customer platforms. These modules are designed to enhance positioning capabilities in various industrial applications, including advanced driving systems, smart in-vehicle systems, and safety-critical applications like autonomous driving.