Qualcomm Technologies, Inc, in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), has developed and tested select chipset platforms that support NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) L1 signals. The initiative will help accelerate the adoption of NavIC and enhance the geo-location capabilities of mobile, automotive and the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions in the region.

NavIC, formerly known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), is a regional satellite system for meeting India’s positioning, navigation and timing requirements.

NavIC is designed with a constellation of 7 satellites and a network of ground stations operating 24 x 7. Three satellites of the constellation are placed in geostationary orbit, at 32.5°E, 83°E and 129.5°E respectively, and four satellites are placed in inclined geosynchronous orbit with equatorial crossing of 55°E and 111.75°E respectively, with inclination of 29° (two satellites in each plane).

NavIC offers two services: Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users and Restricted Service (RS) for strategic users. These two services are provided in both L5 (1176.45 MHz) and S band (2498.028 MHz). NavIC coverage area includes India and a region up to 1500 km beyond India’s boundary.

NavIC signals are designed to provide user position accuracy better than 20m and timing accuracy better than 50ns. NavIC SPS signals are interoperable with the other global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals namely GPS, Glonass, Galileo and BeiDou.

A new civilian signal is being introduced in L1 band (1575.42 MHz) in upcoming NavIC satellites. ISRO and IISc have jointly designed innovative spreading codes having better even-correlation performance than the existing spreading codes.

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.

—Manish Saxena, Director, Satellite Navigation Program Office at ISRO Headquarters

NavIC L1 signal design contains indigenous spreading code, modulation scheme, and other signal structure elements. The design and development strengthens Government of India's initiative of आत्मनिर्भर भारत (Atmanirbhar Bharat).