Does CoreLocation already use QZSS or other GNSS in addition to GPS?

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Created Oct ’21

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According to Apple Documentation it looks like only GPS is used in core location as that is the only requirement in the property list. However, many websites claim that iPhones have support for GNSS and incorporate it into the core location? Does anyone know how to access the satellite signals raw to do our own calculations?

Does anyone have any information on this? If Core Location already incorporates QZSS then I do not have to worry, but if not then I would like to try incorporating it myself.

The only other post I found was 6 months old with no responses, but maybe I can find something here?

Thank

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Answer 1

robnotyou OP

Oct ’21

You said;

it looks like only GPS is used in core location

Apple say (in the Core Location Overview):

The framework gathers data using all available components on the device, including the Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, magnetometer, barometer, and cellular hardware.

I can't answer your actual question, but I thought it might be helpful to point out that your initial assumption is incorrect.

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Answer 2

Scott J OP

Oct ’21

According to the specs on Apple's web site, the iPhone 12 added "GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou" while earlier models don't list those extra ones. Some news sites say earlier models sold in Japan also had QZSS.

Either way, there's no API to get at the low level data. Core Location is a much higher level abstraction over the hardware.

Bonus fact: If you are plugged into CarPlay, then iOS can use your vehicle's own navigation system data too.

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