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A-GPS Test

A-GPS refers to “Assisted Global Positioning System”. It is mainly used on mobile devices.
An improvement of the GPS service is achieved through extended information that is transmitted for positioning. This includes information that indicates the distance to the next transmission mast. For this reason, positioning is possible more quickly. If this technology is present in a smartphone or navigation device, for example, the route can be loaded faster. If you integrate the A-GPS function in your smart device, you can have a professional A-GPS test performed by us. We support you with the help of our high-precision IoT testing to obtain a secure product certification and thus create a market access for your IoT company.

                       Additional services and information on “A-GPS”

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Protocol conformance testing, Radio / Conformance, Over-the-air testing, Interoperability and field testing

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How does a-GPS work?

With A-GPS, advanced positioning information is transmitted. Among other things, the proximity to the nearest transmitter mast. This makes it possible to determine a position more quickly. If you have this technology on your smartphone or navigation device, for example, it can calculate the required route more quickly.

Reception from at least three base stations at the same time is required to be able to calculate the location precisely without the use of satellite signals. In contrast to direct positioning via GPS satellites, the spatial altitude cannot be determined with this method.

Once the position has been determined via the transmission towers, the search range of the satellites is narrowed down. In this way, the measurement is speeded up.

The A-GPS file is valid for up to 14 days. The position accuracy is highest during the first three days. In the following days it decreases continually. Regular updates help to find the satellite signal quickly.

The specifics of GPS:

  • The receiver device uses an almanac in which the orbit data of the satellites are stored. Updating the almanac may take a long time. Each satellite must accurately transmit its position and orbit.
  • GPS was not designed to receive satellite data, which is frequently interrupted, for example, by changing the location of cell phones, navigation devices and other mobile devices used as receivers.
  • The GPS signal works fastest and most accurately when the GPS receiver is in a fixed outdoor location.

The difference in comparison with A-GPS:

  • A-GPS uses, for example, the GSM cellular network to provide “auxiliary” data to the receiver.
  • Advantage of mobile radio: The location of the cell phone is already known by the signals in the network. The process is accelerated.
  • Without a signal from the satellite, a precise location can be determined by measuring the distance to other cellular towers.

Would you like to use A-GPS for your product and need an A-GPS test? Please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to advise you personally!