CSI announces OEM agreement with ComNav for its Vector GPS compass technology
Calgary, Alberta - April 5, 2006 - CSI's Hemisphere GPS division announced today that it has signed a multi-million dollar OEM agreement with ComNav Marine Ltd. of Vancouver, Canada. Under the terms of the agreement CSI will manufacture its Vector GPS compass heading sensor under a private branding arrangement for ComNav. ComNav will have exclusive rights for the product in North America, and non-exclusive rights internationally, to market to the general marine navigation industry. The Vector heading sensor provides accurate heading, rate of turn and positioning for marine navigation applications.
Established in 1982, today ComNav boasts a global dealer and distribution network of more than 400 companies serving the Marine Electronics Industry, encompassing leisure boating, commercial, fishing and government fleet markets.
Designed by CSI, the Hemisphere Vector GPS compass calculates accurate heading and position utilizing Hemisphere's proprietary GPS technology. Incorporated into the Vector are two multipath-resistant antennas for receiving GPS signals. The Vector computes heading information with better than 0.6 degrees accuracy - exceeding the accuracy of competitors' products and maintaining affordability while offering significantly better performance and very simple installation.
Hemisphere Vector products can achieve sub-meter positioning accuracy using decoded correction data from land-based Coast Guard beacon stations or Space-Based Augmentation Systems such as North America's WAAS, Europe's EGNOS and Japan's MSAS.
This patented moving base station Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) technique, with integrated gyro and tilt sensors, provides heading update rates of 10 Hz along with the 0.6 degree heading accuracy - exceeding IMO type approval standards. The Vector replaces traditional gyrocompasses and magnetic sensors for many applications at only a fraction of the cost. And unlike more expensive gyrocompasses, the Vector technology is not effected by variations of magnetic north or metal on ships. Installation is simplified, while providing reliable operation anywhere in the world.
"As an OEM autopilot supplier to several major marine electronics manufactures, ComNav is a significant and recognized manufacturer in the marine electronics industry and will effectively pair the Vector with their extensive line of autopilots," stated Phil Gabriel, Vice President of the Precision Products Division of Hemisphere GPS. "To date, the Vector has been very successful for scientific and marine survey applications. This product, available through ComNav at consumer prices, addresses the mainstream high volume market for marine navigation."
About ComNav Marine
ComNav Marine Ltd., the largest privately held autopilot manufacturer in the world has been providing advanced marine navigation solutions for commercial, recreational and government markets since 1982. The company is committed to providing advanced marine technologies for identifiable needs of the marketplace and builds and sells private label autopilots for several companies. ComNav's worldwide dealer support program encompasses more than 80 countries.About CSI Wireless
CSI Wireless designs and manufactures innovative, cost-effective, wireless and GPS products for applications in agriculture, marine and other markets. CSI is a leader in several high-growth markets including precision agriculture guidance, and desktop cellular telephones. The Company owns leading brand names, numerous patents, and other intellectual property. It has licensed its technology to manufacturers of chipsets, GPS receivers and cellular handsets. The Company's head office is in Calgary, Alberta, and it has major product development, sales and marketing facilities in California's Silicon Valley, Arizona, Kansas and Texas. For more information about CSI, go to www.csi-wireless.com.Links
