Ericsson, MediaTek demonstrate decimeter-level positioning over 5G network

The companies have completed an end-to-end test using 3GPP-standardised GNSS RTK technology, demonstrating sub-30 cm outdoor positioning over a commercial 5G network for autonomous vehicles, drones and industrial applications.

Ericsson and MediaTek have completed what they describe as a world-first end-to-end test of high-precision outdoor positioning over a commercial 5G network, demonstrating accuracy down to the tens-of-centimetres range.

The test used standardised 3GPP Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) technology to deliver high-precision location data directly through the cellular network. The development is aimed at industrial and autonomous applications where accurate positioning is critical to operations.

By integrating RTK correction data into 5G infrastructure through the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP), the companies said the approach can reduce dependence on proprietary positioning systems and complex external hardware.

Sub-30 cm accuracy demonstrated

During the test, the system achieved stable outdoor positioning accuracy of below 30 cm using the handset's built-in antenna. The companies noted that centimeter-level accuracy can be achieved when a geodetic-grade antenna is used.

Such precision could support applications including autonomous vehicles, drones and industrial robots operating in outdoor environments where conventional GNSS positioning, which typically provides accuracy of several metres, may not be sufficient.

The solution is based on 3GPP Release 16 standards, providing a framework designed to support interoperability and scalability across networks and devices.

Unicast and broadcast modes tested

The end-to-end test also covered both unicast and broadcast delivery of GNSS RTK correction data. This enables the system to switch between the two approaches depending on network conditions, including the possibility of using broadcast in busy areas and unicast in lower-traffic environments or when devices are connected to LTE.

For unicast GNSS RTK, LPP messages are delivered through Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) over standard IP connections. In broadcast mode, correction data is distributed through Positioning System Information Blocks (PosSIBs), allowing GNSS-RTK information to be transmitted to multiple devices within a cell simultaneously.

The broadcast approach is designed to improve network resource efficiency and support large-scale deployments. Since broadcast data can be accessible to all devices, the 3GPP framework also supports encrypted broadcasts, with authorised subscribers receiving the required decryption keys from the core network.

Ericsson and MediaTek bring network and device capabilities

The positioning system supports two types of correction data: Observation State Representation (OSR), which provides direct corrections, and State Space Representation (SSR), which offers a more scalable approach by providing error information associated with specific GNSS components.

The test was conducted using Ericsson's 5G Core, including Ericsson Network Location (ENL) and its 5G Advanced location services offering, together with Ericsson's Radio Access Network (RAN). The network infrastructure distributed the required OSR and SSR correction data.

MediaTek's latest 5G modem technology was used to validate device-side performance, including real-time processing of advanced GNSS corrections while maintaining optimised power efficiency.

Positioning technology targets industrial applications

“This is a milestone for the 5G ecosystem,” says Johan Hultell, Head of Product RAN Software at Ericsson. “Together with MediaTek, we make high-precision location more accessible to device makers and enterprises, accelerating use in manufacturing, transport and beyond.”

"The collaboration with Ericsson demonstrates how 5G Advanced technology can unlock new value for consumers and enterprises alike," adds Dr. HC Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication Systems and Partnerships at MediaTek. "Our modems with integrated-GNSS are ready to support these advanced positioning services, paving the way for the next generation of intelligent devices."

GNSS RTK extends conventional positioning

Traditional GNSS positioning generally provides accuracy within several metres. 3GPP-based RTK improves this by using a network of reference stations to generate correction information, which is distributed to devices through the cellular network.

The correction data enables devices to compensate in real time for atmospheric signal delays and satellite-related errors. The companies said the approach could provide the positioning precision required for increasingly automated and spatially aware applications across industrial and enterprise environments.