Contents: Multi-GNSS receivers

What is a Multi-GNSS receiver?
Advantages of a multi-GNSS receiver
Disadvantage of a multi-GNSS receiver

What is a Multi-GNSS receiver?

The label ‘multi-GNSS’ is applied to any GNSS receiver that can process signals from more than just the American GPS system. That might just be GPS and the Russian GLONASS as found on a Garmin eTrex, or all four GNSSs plus the two regional systems, that you might find on a modern smartphone receiver.

Every consumer GNSS receiver I’ve come across will use the American GPS. Which other systems are used varies from receiver to receiver. Check the unit’s tech specs to find out exactly what’s offered.

The more satellites your GPS receiver uses the better it will perform. So, the more global systems it accesses the better. The two regional systems might be useful too, but only in Japan or India.

Smartphones will often use more GNSSs than dedicated GNSS handhelds. eg Some Google Pixel and OnePlus phones process signals from all four of the GNSSs as well as India’s Navic and Japan’s QZSS too.

More GNSS constellations = more satellites = better performance.

Advantages of a multi-GNSS receiver

1. Positional accuracy and timekeeping is better and more reliable.
2. It takes less time to get a good fix.
3. Performance is better in challenging places because if any part of the sky is obscured there will probably still be plenty of ‘visible’ satellites that can give a good fix.
4. Satellite geometry is likely to be good as more satellites are spread across the sky.
5. If one of the GNSS systems fails completely, the receiver can use those that are still working.

Disadvantage of a multi-GNSS receiver

Processing signals from more satellites and crunching the extra numbers means more work for the electronics, which will use slightly more battery. That’s the only disadvantage. On a GPS handheld you may find the option to use just the American GPS constellation if battery life is more important than the very best accuracy.