The company will showcase the newly launched NavIC L1 signals at the Qualcomm Innovation Forum event in mid-December 2023.
In collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. has announced its support for the newly launched L1 signals of India’s NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) in select chipset platforms within its forthcoming product lineup. This initiative aims to boost the adoption of NavIC, thereby enhancing geolocation capabilities and strengthening mobile, automotive, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions in the region, backed by Qualcomm’s engineering expertise in India.
Previously known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), NavIC is designed to fulfill the nation’s positioning, navigation, and timing requirements. Its system includes a constellation of seven satellites and a network of ground stations operating continuously. The system offers two types of services: Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users and Restricted Service (RS) for strategic users. Both services are available in L5 (1176.45 MHz) and S band (2498.028 MHz). A new civilian signal is being introduced in L1 band (1575.42 MHz).
Built on Qualcomm Technologies’ advanced location-based position technology, the Qualcomm Location Suite now supports up to seven satellite constellations simultaneously, including NavIC’s L1 and L5 signals. This integration will provide more accurate location performance, faster time-to-first-fix (TTFF) position acquisition, and improved robustness for location-based services. These enhancements are particularly beneficial in dense urban areas where geolocation accuracy is often compromised.
Qualcomm Technologies plans to introduce support for NavIC L1 signals in select chipset platforms starting in the latter half of 2024, with commercial devices expected to be available in the first half of 2025. The company will showcase the newly launched NavIC L1 signals in Snapdragon Mobile Platforms at the Qualcomm Innovation Forum event in Bengaluru in mid-December 2023.
“Working with ISRO on the addition of next-generation NavIC L1 signal to L5 signal to our Snapdragon mobile platforms is a prime example of India-focused collaboration and our commitment to deliver premium experiences to our users in the Indian subcontinent,” said Savi Soin, President, Qualcomm India.
