Qualcomm and ISRO Join Forces to Enhance Geolocation Services with NavIC L1 Signal Integration in Chipsets

In a significant technological advancement, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. has partnered with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to support the newly launched L1 signals of India’s navigation satellite system, NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation). This collaboration will see the integration of NavIC's L1 signals into Qualcomm's select chipset platforms across its upcoming portfolio in the mobile, automotive, and Internet of Things (IoT) sectors. This move is expected to not only accelerate the adoption of NavIC but also enhance the geolocation capabilities and overall robustness of solutions in these areas, leveraging the engineering talent in India.

Built on Qualcomm Technologies’ leading foundational inventions in location-based position technology, the Qualcomm® Location Suite will now support up to seven satellite constellations concurrently. This includes the use of all of NavIC’s L1 and L5 signals, which will contribute to more accurate location performance, faster time-to-first-fix (TTFF) position acquisition, and improved robustness of location-based services. These enhancements are particularly vital in dense urban environments where geolocation accuracy tends to degrade, and they are set to better serve key industries and technology ecosystems in the region.

Francesco Grilli, Vice President of Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., commented on this development. “We’re pleased to enhance our commitment to India by enabling support for the newly launched NavIC L1 signals in our chipset platforms. We continue our work with ISRO to further accelerate NavIC’s adoption and to enable more advanced geolocation applications with the latest NavIC technologies,” he said. This statement underscores Qualcomm's dedication to fostering technological growth in India and its ongoing efforts with ISRO to push the boundaries of NavIC's capabilities.

Adding to this, Savi Soin, President of Qualcomm India, pointed out the strategic importance of this collaboration for the Indian market. “Qualcomm Technologies is focused on building long-term partnerships within the Indian industry utilizing our extensive engineering expertise and cutting-edge technologies to enable and propel India-centric innovations and use cases. 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 sub-continent. Enabling next-generation NavIC on Snapdragon will drive innovative use cases for Indian consumers across multiple segments including smartphones, IoT, and automotive,” he explained.

From ISRO's perspective, Manish Saxena, Director of the Satellite Navigation Programme Office, expressed pride in NavIC's role in national development and its growing adoption. “NavIC is a significant step towards using space technology for national development. ISRO is proud to see the increasing adoption of NavIC and is eager to bring the benefits of this indigenous solution to all users. The L1 signals will be a critical next step by enabling better performance of location-based services in the consumer segment. ISRO appreciates Qualcomm Technologies for enabling NavIC L1 on its upcoming mobile platforms thereby accelerating its adoption,” Saxena stated.

The additional support for NavIC L1 signals in select Qualcomm Technologies’ chipset platforms is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2024. Commercial devices supporting the NavIC L1 signals are expected to be available during the first half of 2025. Furthermore, Qualcomm Technologies is set to demonstrate this integration at the Qualcomm Innovation Forum event in Bengaluru in mid-December 2023. This event will showcase the incorporation of the NavIC L1 signals in the Snapdragon Mobile Platforms, highlighting Qualcomm's pivotal role in driving forward India's digital and technological landscape.