Proof-of-Concept of Dedicated Aerial 5G and GNSS Testbed for Enhanced Hybrid Positioning

This work presents the preliminary simulation and experimental results of a first-of-a-kind testbed for GNSS, 5G networks and sensor positioning, called Hybrid Overlay Positioning with 5G and GNSS (HOP-5G) testbed. This is a proof-of-concept testbed based on the deployment of dedicated ground and aerial 5G base stations (BSs) for enhanced hybrid positioning together with GNSS and sensor technologies. The main entities of the overall testbed are described and preliminary test results are provided. First, the achievable positioning performance is assessed through simulations, showing the importance of the hybrid fusion of GNSS and 5G in critical and harsh environments, especially under 5G network synchronization impairments. Then, the possible gain in integrity performance is examined by fusing real GNSS and simulated 5G observables. Finally, extensive experimental laboratory results are presented to assess the impact of base station (BS) synchronization, by using COTS GNSS and software-defined radio (SDR) equipment. The outcome results suggests the importance of a monitoring unit within the HOP-5G testbed.