LONDON --- Fabless semiconductor startup Air Semiconductor (Swindon, England) has started discussions with several digital camera makers about integrating its first chip into models to give the cameras continuous GPS based location capabilities. Engineering samples of the Airwave-1 chip are scheduled for the summer.

Air Semiconductor, which as founded 18 months ago with first round funding from Pond Ventures, claims its proprietary technology and IP provides continuous and instant location that eliminates the traditional Time To First Fix (TTFF) problems associated with assisted GPS --- yet drains negligible power from mobile devices.

"Our hardware architecture IP and software algorithms are designed to trade location accuracy for power drain in a dynamic way, leading to drain of just 1mA when continuously tracking," Stephen Graham, co-founder and CEO of Air Semi told EE Times .

Graham says the initial application seen for the device is geotagging on digital cameras. "The companies we have talked to about out device, which has so far been built in FPGAs and for which we have test chips, have all been very enthusiastic about what our approach could bring to continuous and highly accurate location to cameras."

A second generation chip being planned will target the much more competitive, and busier, market for GPS chips for mobile phones, but the ICs for this will not be available for at least a year.

The first generation chip integrates proprietary RF and DSPs with what Graham describes as a "simple but highly powerefficient microprocessor."

Cadence and Synopsys have been partnering with Air to develop the chips and TSMC has been lined up to make the devices on a 0.13 micron CMOS process.

Graham said the company is looking to expand its engineering headcount, and is looking to increase the numbers employed from the current 12 to 20 by the end of the year. "The priority is more expertise in digital IC design and embedded software."