Qualcomm Tech and Trimble to develop precise-positioning solution for autonomous driving

US-based SaaS technology company Trimble and chipmaker Qualcomm Technologies, a subsidiary of Qualcomm, today announced plans to work together to produce precise-positioning solutions for select automotive applications.

Trimble will work with Qualcomm Technologies to integrate Trimble’s RTX technology with select Qualcomm Snapdragon Automotive 4G and 5G platforms to deliver a highly accurate positioning solution, which the partners say is essential for maintaining absolute in-lane positioning. This new solution will accelerate the adoption of road-level navigation and emergency services applications, as well as satisfy requirements for developing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving solutions.

Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon 4G and 5G Automotive platforms feature integrated multi-frequency and multi-constellation high-precision GNSS technology. The company says the Snapdragon 4G and 5G platforms also support all major global and regional GNSS satellite constellations such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS, operating concurrently on the L1, L2, and L5 frequency bands, including a Precise Positioning Framework.

This framework ensures consistency in access and use of precise positioning information and incorporates the use of GNSS corrections technology. Tight integration of GNSS functionality in conjunction with the modem reception of the corrections allows for minimum latencies and optimal performance of the precise-positioning solution from the telematics system and provides automakers with a global location platform to meet the requirements of next-generation vehicles.

Trimble RTX technology provides real-time, multi-constellation GNSS corrections and positioning capable of achieving 2-centimetre horizontal accuracy worldwide, compared to uncorrected GNSS positioning that can be accurate to several meters. The partners say the combined solution will provide reliable, consistent, high-accuracy positioning, in a broadcast format, to serve even the most precise requirements of the automotive and transportation industries.

John Sprivulis, director of autonomous navigation solutions for Trimble’s Advanced Positioning Division, said: “Trimble’s relationship with Qualcomm Technologies establishes a unique alliance between industry leaders, in which both companies are committed to advancing the development of safer, more capable ADAS. Together we will offer a solution to the automotive industry that can help accelerate the adoption of precise GNSS positioning in the connected car and transform the way the world drives.”

Lars Boeryd, senior director, product marketing, Qualcomm Technologies, said: “Highly accurate positioning is quickly becoming an important element of connected vehicle solutions to support Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) and other autonomy applications. For this very reason, we are working with Trimble to host the RTX precise positioning software library on our Snapdragon Automotive 4G and 5G platforms to offer a robust end-to-end highly accurate position solution for the automotive industry.”

An RTX-enabled Snapdragon evaluation kit (EVK) is expected to be available by early 2020, for use by automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers or other stakeholders. Trimble's RTX Auto an ASIL and ASPICE compliant RTX software library is already available to OEMs and suppliers who requires a functional safety certified solution.