Multi-GNSS Performance of Dual-Frequency Smartphones in Satellite Tracking

In recent times, the utilisation of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) has surged, nearing complete deployment for major constellations. This advancement is vital for navigating challenging conditions, particularly in urban areas where smartphones have posed positioning challenges. These challenges are being addressed through the cost-effective receivers and dualfrequency GNSS technology, underlining the evolving importance of GNSS. Assessing GNSS receiver performance in smartphones under obstructed conditions can be intricate, even with multi-GNSS capabilities, as weak signals may struggle to establish connections. Thus, analysing smartphone performance under such conditions is essential. This study evaluates dualfrequency smartphone performance in indoor, rainy, and clear sky scenarios. Three smartphones were selected for validation and comparison, with data collected over five hours in Malacca, Malaysia (2 degrees 16'55.4"N 102 degrees 16'17.1"E). The smartphones were placed on 130 cm tripods and indoor shelves to simulate typical usage. Overall, the results have demonstrated BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS)'s superior satellite visibility, consistently detecting the most satellites (216). Among them, Samsung Z Fold2 5G has exhibited peak visibility with 201 satellites, outperforming others by achieving peak C/N value of 50-60 dBHz and fewer weak signals (0-10 dBHz).