Trimble News Release

Trimble Launches Third Generation ACE Module

New Design Enhances Performance and Dramatically Reduces Power Consumption

LAS VEGAS, March 22, 2000 -- Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) introduced today its ACE III GPS™ Module, the next generation ACE receiver. It is designed specifically for embedded solutions requiring high performance at a low cost. The ACE III module offers system integrators reliable Global Positioning System (GPS) information for navigation, tracking, data collection and battery-powered products.

The announcement was made at the International Wireless Communications Exposition.

The ACE III is a full-featured GPS receiver. The module offers the highest performance available in a miniature GPS receiver with less than one-half watt power consumption, even faster signal acquisition in urban canyons and differential GPS (DGPS) accuracies better than 2 meters. ACE III is a direct replacement for Trimble's ACE II module, providing a cost-effective upgrade path to help integrators reduce future systems costs.

To reduce power consumption for battery-powered applications, the ACE III module is designed with new RF circuitry that reduces power consumption by 35% to less than one-half watt. The new design also reduces the component count by 25%, improving reliability and guaranteeing start-up times over extreme temperature ranges.

ACE III is designed for a wide variety of devices, including:

Car navigation systems
Telematics or driver information systems
Vehicle security and tracking systems for fleet management
Instrumentation systems and mobile devices for data collection
Wireless, battery-powered products such as mobile radios, modems and laptop computers

Development kits include: the ACE III GPS receiver in a durable metal enclosure, a magnetic mount antenna, an AC power adapter, a serial interface cable, a reference manual, and GPS toolkit software for communication with the module. The GPS toolkit includes a new 32-bit Windows application (TSIPMonitor32.exe) that may be used to monitor and record GPS data.

Availability

The ACE III is expected to begin shipping in the second quarter of 2000.

About Trimble

Trimble is a world leader in designing and developing innovative products enabled by GPS technology. The company provides end-user and OEM solutions for diverse applications including surveying, mapping/GIS, agriculture, construction, mining, military, commercial aviation, automotive, vehicle tracking and timing. Founded in 1978, Trimble now holds more than 250 U.S. patents on GPS and related technology, with over 200 additional patents pending. Located in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has been adding value to GPS since 1984.

Media Contact: LeaAnn McNabb of Trimble: 408-481-7808