Qualcomm Beats Broadcom and CSR to Top of ABI Research GPS IC Vendor Matrix Ranking

Qualcomm, Inc. has been ranked at the top of the latest Vendor Matrix released by ABI Research.

Broadcom Corp. and Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR) claimed the second and third spots in the company’s most recent evaluation of worldwide GPS IC vendors.

The Vendor Matrix is an analytical tool developed by ABI Research to provide a clear understanding of vendors’ positions in specific markets. Vendors are assessed on the important parameters of “innovation” and “implementation” across several criteria unique to each vendor matrix.

Senior analyst Patrick Connolly comments, “The sheer scale of Qualcomm’s embedded GPS shipments powered it to number one in the matrix. However it would be wrong to underestimate its efforts on Glonass and alternative/hybrid location.

“There is very little to separate Broadcom and CSR: Broadcom offers a wide range of IC implementations, design innovations and major contract wins across a number of different vertical markets. CSR continues to drive innovation in terms of optimizing GPS IC performance to meet growing demand in emerging markets, while continuing to generate significant revenue from established markets. This is reflected in CSR’s recent Samsung Galaxy S II design win.”

For this particular matrix, under "innovation," ABI Research examined the vendors’ support for multiple design approaches and technologies including multiple RF integration (combo-chips), Embedded GPS IC solutions and support for other GNSS constellations, such as Glonass.

Analysts also evaluated vendors’ wireless assistance data support (A-GPS), alternative positioning technology support, sensor support and satellite-based augmentation system support (SBAS). The matrix also considers innovation in size, power consumption and recent product introductions.

Under "implementation," ABI Research scrutinized the following criteria:

·         Market Share

·         Consumer Market Focus

·         Professional, Industrial, and Military Market Focus

·         Fabricator (as opposed to Fabless)
·         Key Customer Wins

To view a chart showing the rankings of the “top ten” firms in this Vendor Matrix, please visit GPS IC Market Vendor Matrix. Registration on the ABI Research website (free) is required. Access to the rankings and profiles of all companies surveyed is available to clients of ABI Research.

This Vendor Matrix forms part of three ABI Research Services: Wireless Connectivity, Connected Car and Commercial Telematics. For a list of all ABI Research Vendor Matrices, please visit Vendor Matrices.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advise thousands of decision makers through 40+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.​