Ashtech Announces the First Single Board Receiver to Integrate U.S. and Russian Satellite Signals; New GG24 Combines GPS and GLONASS Signals for Civilian Use Worldwide.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 1996--Ashtech, the leader in precision solutions for global positioning, today announced the introduction of its GG24(TM) receiver, the world's first single-board receiver to tightly integrate U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) and Russian GLObal NAvigation Satellite System (GLONASS) satellite-based navigation technologies.

The integration of both GPS and GLONASS into one receiver not only realizes a significant technological achievement, but also marks a turning point in the application of Cold War science to global commercial endeavors.

GPS was originally developed by the United States as a navigation and positioning tool for military purposes; at the same time, the Soviet Union built the Russian GLONASS system for similar military applications. Ashtech's GG24 is the first fully integrated receiver ever designed to take advantage of both disciplines for commercial, non-military purposes.

The GG24's ability to receive and use signals from not only the 24 GPS satellites, but also from the 24 GLONASS satellites, ensures its rapid integration into a wide variety of high-precision land, sea, and air-based applications on a global scale.

"The GG24 exemplifies a positive application of Cold War military technology paving the way toward exceptionally fast, dependable and precise navigational aids we can use all over the world," said Chuck Boesenberg, president and CEO. "The implications for future developments in GPS technology by the addition of GLONASS ultimately rest on our ability to deliver a new generation of exciting and innovative products. The GG24 demonstrates Ashtech's commitment to provide the most advanced positioning technology in the world."

Technical Background

The Ashtech GG24 incorporates Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) to guarantee confidence in the navigation measurements. Because of the availability of an expanded number of satellites, and the fact that, unlike GPS, GLONASS signals are not degraded for military purposes, the GG24 can obtain autonomous (non-differential) position and velocity results that are considerably more accurate than a stand-alone GPS receiver.

Precision (differential) performance is also enhanced by the GPS and GLONASS combination through the addition of more satellites. It will ultimately usher in a host of new GPS applications demanding a higher level of precision and performance.

Price and Availability

Samples are available now with product shipments in 60 days. The GG24 will be offered in different formats for easy use by system integrators; a Eurocard format OEM board from $5,995 U.S. and a sensor package with power supply and a PCMCIA data memory card from $9,995 U.S. Volume discounts are available.

Ashtech, Inc., a telecommunications company, is the leading provider of precision solutions for global positioning. Revenues for 1995 were $35.6M and a record $11M for the first quarter of 1996. Incorporated in 1987, Ashtech manufactures and markets Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver systems and related subsystems which utilize Navstar satellites to determine position and time information for users worldwide.

Ashtech is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., and maintains a European sales office in Oxford, England, as well as research and development facilities in Moscow. More than 60 international and domestic dealers represent Ashtech products worldwide. Ashtech's main number is 408/524-1400. -0-

Note to Editors: This press release may contain other product names, tradenames and trademarks of Ashtech Inc. and other entities which are owned by the respective entity.

CONTACT: Ashtech, Inc.

Sally Kenvin, 408/524-1460

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Miller/Shandwick Technologies

Ann Stowe or Marla Kertzman, 415/962-9550

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