NEW DELHI: Ericsson and MediaTek have successfully completed what they describe as a world-first end-to-end test of high-precision outdoor positioning using standardized 3GPP technology for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) over a commercial 5G network.

The companies demonstrated stable positioning accuracy of less than 30 centimetres using a handset's built-in antenna. The achievement could support applications such as autonomous vehicles, drones and industrial robots, where highly accurate location information is critical for safe and reliable operations.

3GPP-based technology

The solution uses 3GPP Release 16 standards to deliver GNSS RTK correction data through a 5G network. By integrating the correction information into existing cellular infrastructure through the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP), the technology can reduce reliance on proprietary positioning systems and specialised external hardware.

The companies said the approach is designed to provide scalable and interoperable high-precision positioning across compatible networks and devices.

The test also demonstrated both unicast and broadcast delivery of GNSS RTK correction data. Unicast can be used to provide individual device-specific assistance, while broadcast enables correction information to be distributed to multiple devices within a cell simultaneously, improving network resource efficiency in high-density environments.

Support for industrial and autonomous applications

High-precision positioning can play an important role in the development of autonomous and industrial technologies. Accurate location data can help autonomous vehicles, drones, robots and other connected systems operate more reliably in complex outdoor environments.

The test used Ericsson's 5G Core, Ericsson Network Location and its 5G Advanced location services, together with Ericsson's Radio Access Network infrastructure for distributing correction data.

MediaTek's latest 5G modem technology was used on the device side, enabling real-time processing of advanced GNSS correction information while focusing on power efficiency.

Two correction methods supported

The technology supports two major types of GNSS correction data: Observation State Representation (OSR) and State Space Representation (SSR).

OSR provides direct corrections to positioning measurements, while SSR offers a more scalable approach by providing information about errors associated with individual GNSS components.

The 3GPP-based solution also incorporates security mechanisms for broadcast positioning data. Since broadcast information can be received by multiple devices, encrypted transmission can be used, with authorised subscribers receiving the required decryption keys through the network core.

Towards more precise 5G positioning

Traditional GNSS positioning can have an accuracy of several metres. RTK improves precision by using reference stations to calculate correction information and transmitting that data to devices through the cellular network.

The Ericsson-MediaTek demonstration shows how commercial 5G infrastructure can be used to deliver these corrections at scale, potentially enabling more precise location services for industrial automation, transportation and other emerging applications.

The companies said the achievement represents an important step toward making high-precision positioning more accessible to device manufacturers and enterprises and supporting the development of intelligent, location-aware connected devices.