Ericsson and MediaTek Demonstrate Sub-30cm Positioning Accuracy in Commercial 5G Network Trial

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Ericsson and MediaTek have completed the world's first end-to-end high-precision outdoor positioning test on a commercial 5G network, utilizing a 3GPP-standard-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning solution, achieving positioning accuracy as low as the decimeter level.

The trial targets mission-critical industrial and autonomous driving applications that rely on precise location data. The solution integrates RTK correction data into the 5G infrastructure via the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP), delivering centimeter-level positioning services without the need for proprietary systems or complex external hardware.

Based on the 3GPP Release 16 standard, the solution is globally scalable and ensures interoperability between networks and devices. The trial covered both unicast and broadcast end-to-end paths: in unicast mode, LPP messages are carried via Secure User Plane Location (SUPL), transmitting data over standard IP connections; in broadcast mode, Positioning System Information Blocks (PosSIBs) distribute GNSS-RTK data simultaneously to all devices within a cell, enabling unlimited scalability and improved network resource efficiency. Unicast and broadcast can seamlessly switch in busy areas, reverting to unicast in low-traffic areas or when connected to LTE.

The trial was conducted using the phone's built-in antenna, achieving stable sub-30cm outdoor accuracy, enabling autonomous vehicles, drones, and industrial robots to operate safely in complex outdoor environments. With geodetic-grade antennas, accuracy can be further improved to centimeter-level.

Broadcast positioning data is open to all users, and the 3GPP standard supports encryption of this data. Only authorized users can obtain the necessary decryption keys from the core network (AMF) to access high-precision positioning data.

The correction data supports two modes: Observation State Representation (OSR) provides correction information directly; State Space Representation (SSR) is more advanced and scalable, providing relevant errors for specific GNSS components.

On the network side, the Ericsson 5G Core Network is used, including Ericsson Network Location (ENL) and its recently launched 5G Advanced positioning service products, efficiently distributing correction data via the Radio Access Network (RAN); on the device side, MediaTek's latest 5G modem technology is used to process GNSS corrections in real time with optimized power consumption.

Johan Hultell, Head of RAN Software Products at Ericsson, stated that the collaboration with MediaTek makes high-precision positioning services more accessible to device manufacturers and enterprises, accelerating their adoption in sectors such as manufacturing and transportation. Dr. HC Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication Systems and Partnerships at MediaTek, stated that this collaboration demonstrates the new value 5G Advanced technology creates for consumers and enterprises, and that its modems with integrated GNSS capabilities are ready to support advanced positioning services.