The standard location accuracy found in IoT GPS solutions is not sufficient for next-generation technology. This new era of intelligent, autonomous, context-aware devices demands a fundamental leap in precision for safe, efficient, seamless and intuitive user experiences.
Precision location closes this gap, significantly improving the accuracy of standard GNSS. This enhanced precision is the difference between a device knowing the street it's on and determining the specific side of the road where a user is standing.
The Power of Multiband GNSS
As a GNSS signal travels from a satellite system in space to a device, it experiences various errors that affect location accuracy. One of these errors is atmospheric delay, which occurs as the signal passes through the ionosphere and troposphere.
Modern GNSS receivers leverage two main advanced features to enhance GNSS signal processing and overall location accuracy:
- Multiband: This feature corrects atmospheric errors by enabling receivers to get signals on multiple frequencies — L1, L2 and L5. It empowers them to compare the arrival times of signals on different frequencies from the same satellite, determine the exact atmospheric delay and subtract it from their measurements.
- Multiconstellation: This capability enables a GNSS receiver to “listen” to signals from multiple satellites simultaneously, increasing the chances of getting a robust signal. It is especially crucial in challenging urban environments where signals could be blocked.
Transforming IoT With Precision Location Technology
Manufacturers like Synaptics are making precision location technology practical for small, IoT devices, which are sometimes battery-powered. These modern GNSS modules are designed to be power-efficient enough for use in wearables, asset trackers and drones. Explore a few use cases below.
Wearables
Modern GNSS is enhancing personal fitness, safety and connectivity in:
- Fitness and health tracking: Smartwatches and other wearables use GNSS to determine the accurate route, distance and speed of activities like cycling and running. This information, alongside biosignals like heart rate, offers a detailed overview of the user's health and physical activity.
- Navigation: Precision location technology helps outdoor enthusiasts navigate remote areas for safer adventures.
- Personal safety: GNSS-powered wearables simplify the ability to monitor a user's location, which is especially useful for children and older individuals. The precise location technology is also ideal in emergency situations when a user sends an SOS alert.
Supply Chain Management
The supply chain and logistics industry is using GNSS-enabled IoT devices to improve control and visibility over merchandise movement. Applications include:
- Asset tracking: IoT devices enable real-time monitoring of vehicles during transportation, simplifying the calculation of estimated arrival times. They also track shipping containers and other high-value equipment to verify efficient use and security.
- Route optimization: A GNSS tracker can pull traffic and weather data to predict delays and propose alternative routes.
- Cold chain monitoring: GNSS trackers can monitor a shipment's location and temperature to ensure it remains within desired ranges while in transit.
Drones
Modern GNSS receivers use multiband technology to enable various drone applications, such as:
- Flying in difficult settings: By receiving signals from multiple satellite systems, a drone maintains a precise position lock, allowing it to navigate near skyscrapers and under bridges.
- Repeating flight paths: With precision location technology, drones fly the same path every day or week, delivering an exact time lapse of a project's progress.
- Holding a position: A highly accurate GNSS receiver enables a drone to hold a position, even in windy conditions, and steadily capture images.
Smartphones
The latest smartphones have GNSS chips with multiband and multi-constellation capabilities for higher-level location accuracy. These modern GNSS receivers empower users to leverage:
- Hyperlocal services: Users request rides and food and track their orders in real time.
- Emergency support: Users transmit their precise location to responders, improving response times.
- Social networking: GNSS helps users find local events, meet friends and check in at locations.
Power Your IoT Devices With Synaptics' Multiband GNSS
Looking for a multiband GNSS receiver for your next-gen IoT devices? Choose Synaptics' SYN4778. This third-generation technology simultaneously supports multiple satellite systems, including GLONASS, Galileo, GPS, NAVIC, BeiDou, SBAS and QZSS in L5/E5/B2a and L1/B1/E1 frequencies.
This powerful GNSS chip delivers:
- Precise location: By listening to different signals on the L1 and L5 bands from major satellites at once, SYN4778 self-corrects errors, resulting in increased location accuracy.
- Reliable power efficiency: SYN4778 uses low power, empowering you to offer users convenience and peace of mind. It reduces power consumption by 80% compared to the previous generation.
- Potential cost savings: A sensitive radio eliminates the need for an external LNA and a second SAW filter, reducing production costs. The GNSS chip further reduces costs with a built-in, high-efficiency power regulator and compact construction for increased design flexibility.
- Easy integration: By reducing the number of required external parts, SYN4778 is easy to integrate into applications — particularly those that require an ultra-small, power-efficient chip, such as wearables, tablets and asset-tracking devices.
Contact Synaptics to Get Started With SYN4778
Synaptics is a reputable innovator known for creating cutting-edge chips for next-generation IoT and edge devices. We build efficient, reliable solutions to help you power highly intuitive, convenient products.
To get started, contact us to speak to our sales personnel.
