A NEW microchip developed by a Shanghai-based company that is capable of receiving signals from China’s Beidou Navigation Satellite System will go into full production later this month.

"The chip is suitable for use in smartphones and tablet computers, and several foreign companies have expressed an interest in it," said Wang Yongping, general manger of Shanghai Beiga Satellite Technology Co.

He was speaking at a forum held yesterday to discuss the possible military and civil applications of Beidou.