The New Frontier of GNSS Accuracy in Smartphones

The latest advances in smartphone positioning technology were put to the test in a recent study. Focusing on the capabilities of the Redmi K60 Ultra’s multi-frequency Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), the study evaluated performance in various scenarios, showing significant improvements in positioning accuracy, speed, and reliability. These advances mark a key step forward in precise positioning for consumer devices, leveraging Assisted GNSS (A-GNSS) services to enhance everyday navigation experiences.

Smartphone positioning technologies are developing rapidly, and the need for precision in urban environments where signal obstructions are common is increasing. Traditional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) methods, while effective in open spaces, often struggle in dense urban landscapes due to signal interference and multipath errors.

Solving these challenges is crucial to improving navigation and location-based services that are an integral part of modern life. Based on these challenges, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on the performance of multi-frequency GNSS in smartphones.

In August 2023, Xiaomi launched the Redmi K60 Ultra, the first smartphone to integrate BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System Precise Point Positioning (PPP-B2b) services. The study, published in Satellite navigationconducted a comprehensive performance evaluation of this multi-frequency GNSS smartphone. Researchers from Beihang University, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology and other institutions tested the device under various conditions, revealing its advanced capabilities in improving GNSS-based positioning.

The study evaluated the Redmi K60 Ultra’s multi-frequency GNSS capabilities in six different scenarios, including lab tests and urban environments. The results showed significant improvements in positioning accuracy and speed, driven by the A-GNSS PPP-B2b service. The smartphone reduced time to first fix (TTFF) by over 85% during cold starts, achieving accuracy within 1.5 meters in open-sky conditions.

In urban areas where signal obstructions are common, the integration of the 3DMA GNSS algorithm further improves positioning accuracy by over 30%. These results demonstrate Redmi K60 Ultra’s leadership in consumer GNSS technology, offering reliable and precise navigation even in complex environments. The device sets a new standard for smartphone-based precision positioning, with broad implications for everyday and specialist applications.

Dr. Fu Zheng, co-principal investigator, said: “This study shows the potential of multi-frequency GNSS to transform smartphone positioning technology. Integrating A-GNSS services with advanced algorithms such as 3DMA GNSS represents a significant step forward in achieving precise positioning in challenging environments. These results pave the way for the next generation of smart devices that can provide unprecedented accuracy in real-time navigation.”

The implications of this study extend beyond consumer navigation. Advances in GNSS positioning could expand applications in areas such as autonomous driving, augmented reality, and smart city infrastructure. As smartphones integrate more advanced GNSS technologies, users can expect improved reliability and accuracy of location-based services, changing the way we interact with the world around us.

Provided by Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences