GPS about to become more accurate

[haven]

https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk...urate-gps-chips-coming-to-smartphones-in-2018

Today, the GPS in our phones and tablets is accurate to about 16 feet. Broadcom just announced a GPS chip that is accurate to 30 cm, about one foot. The chip uses less power than chips in current use. And it is more accurate in a situation where your view of the sky is restricted, either in the city's concrete steel and glass canyons, or in a natural canyon in the outback.

Broadcom is providing samples of the new chip to phone and tablet manufacturers now. It's unknown which manufacturers will choose to use the new chip. It's likely to be more expensive than the older GPS technology, at least for a while.

 

[Hillbilly Heaven]

I thought the L5 signal was limited to military use only? Reading the press release it sounds like it has been released to the public. Curious to see if it migrates from phones to external gps receivers. This will also mean a new dual band gps antenna too.

 

[doug720]

These chips were developed so Facebook, Google and their "Advertisers" will know exactly what item you are standing in front of when you are shopping. They don't give a flying crap about where you are out in the sticks!:wings:

 

[rayra]

Google / Alphabet Company wants to know exactly which window to send the missile thru.


As to system accuracy, it's called 'selective availability' and the government can turn it on and off. President Clinton pretty much turned it off ~20yrs ago. With ground-based beacons added into the mix (differential GPS) and the GLONASS system as well, you can get quite close in general use.

They're chasing this increased accuracy for self-driving vehicles and drone delivery and every other urban purpose. Certainly isn't necessary for offroad navigation

I'm curious about just what they have changed in their chip, that they can compute better accuracy without a change in the available signals.

 

[altaboy]

Good book, entertaining, will clear up points w/r accuracy:

Pinpoint: How GPS Is Changing Technology, Culture, and Our Minds 1st Editionby Greg Milner
ISBN-10: 0393089126

 

[Rando]

The L5 signal is a newish civilian signal meant for precise navigation. This not really related to selective availability, which has been defunct for nearly 20 years and will never be turned back on.

 

[Comanche Scott]

I always thought "Selective Availability" had to do with the number of drinks consumed.

hopefully the new chipset comes with improved reliability.

 

[robgendreau]

I always thought "Selective Availability" had to do with the number of drinks consumed.

hopefully the new chipset comes with improved reliability.

No, I think "selective availability" is a Tinder term :wings:

 

[Outside somewhere]

And after too many drinks you might wants selective memory.