Network-RTK Positioning for Automated Driving (NPAD)

Purpose and goal

The NPAD-project has based on the 3GPP-standard developed and tested a distribution system of Network-RTK correction data from the existing infrastructure, called SWEPOS, of The Swedish Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authority, to a large number of users like e.g. GNSS-recivers in automated vehicles or smartphones. Tests have been performed with a number of different GNSS-platforms in a set of different test environments like e.g. at AstaZero proving ground and along highway 40 between Borås and Gothenburg.

Expected results and effects

The NPAD-project has: - Developed a system that provides cm-level positioning for a large number of mobile platforms such as automated vehicles using GNSS as a sensor - Started the development of a reference system for evaluating accuracy and precision of positioning systems at AstaZero. - Promoted a cross-industrial cooperation between research institutes, automotive industry, telecom industry as well as SME’s. The developed system has put Sweden at the forefront as a country prepared for the upscaling of large volumes of automated vehicles and their needs of cm-level positioning.

Planned approach and implementation

The NPAD-project has been executed through several development steps where a demonstrator has been developed based on both the requirements from automated driving and other mobile platforms. Throughout the project, we have: 1. Defined the requirements for cm-level positioning for automated driving. 2. Analyzed the impacts of the requirements on a correction data distribution system based on the Positioning Accuracy Enhancement standard developed by 3GPP. 3. Performed tests and validatiosn of the system based on an automated vehicle application supplied by Einride.