iFixit and Chipworks, the two major U.S. websites about dismantling of electronic devices of all kinds, had both recently shelled’iPhone 4S not to mention its GPS chipset.
Yet, in a new page on its website about the technical specifications of the iPhone 4S, on its website, Apple announces October 19 th location based on assisted GPS and GLONASS. Damned !
As you know, GLONASS is the Russian satellite navigation system, competitor of the American GPS system (as well as the future European system Galileo if it ever will born !). Despite a few bumps in the road over the years, Russian system now includes 22 Fully operational satellites, that use the same WGS geodetic coordinate system 84 than the American GPS (¹) .
It is now Qualcomm that provides Apple with the chipset that provides these features. This is the modem processor MDM6610, an extension of the MDM6600 fitted to the iPhone 4, which now incorporates a GPS chipset that meets the announced specifications in addition to modem communication functions.
All this clarified, it remains to be seen the real benefit provided by this new chipset for our GPS navigation, and the interest of receiving the joint position of Russian and American satellites for the accuracy of our position all around the planet. Allow me to doubt it, at least as far as maritime navigation is concerned. I suspect rather a commercial approach aimed at conquering these markets.
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(¹) See Glossary
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Maybe it brings an additional bonus depending on the navigation area ?
In any case, I noticed a slightly longer iNavX hook in the South Pacific …
Have a good day everyone !
For my own, in Reunion Island, no difference with Europe. The GPS constellation being uniform around the planet, There can be no differences in reception from one point of the globe to another. The problem comes from elsewhere…