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How Assisted GPS Works in Cellphones

GPS and A-GPS work together to supply accurate location information

By Fred Zahradnik Fred Zahradnik Freelance Contributor Pennsylvania State University Former Lifewire writer Fred Zahradnik has a long history as a writer and is considered an expert on all things related to GPS products and software. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 6, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Android Switching from iOS Your smartphone likely works with both the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Assisted GPS (A-GPS). GPS draws its information from the constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth. Assisted GPS, also known as A-GPS or AGPS, draws its information from local cell towers and enhances the performance of standard GPS on mobile devices connected to a cellular network.

How Does Assisted GPS Improve Performance

Assisted GPS improves location performance in two ways: It helps the phone obtain a faster Time to First Fix (TTFF), which improves startup performance. Assisted GPS acquires and stores information about the location of satellites using the cellular network, so the information does not need to be downloaded by satellite. Assisted GPS positions a phone or mobile device when GPS signals are weak or not available. GPS satellite signals don't penetrate walls very well and may be impeded by tall buildings. Assisted GPS uses proximity to cellular towers to calculate positions when GPS signals are weak or unavailable.

How GPS and Assisted GPS Work Together

A GPS system needs to make satellite connections and find the orbit and clock data before it can determine its location. This is the period known as the Time to First Fix (TTFF). The process can take anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple of minutes before your device acquires a signal; exactly how long depends on the surroundings and amount of interference. It is easier to acquire a signal in wide-open areas than in a city with tall buildings. When your device uses Assisted GPS, the time-to-signal acquisition is faster. Your phone pulls information about the location of satellites from the nearest cellular tower, which saves time. As a result, you: Get faster signal acquisition.Save battery life.Get location information even when GPS can't get a signal. By itself, Assisted GPS does not position the mobile device as closely as GPS. Still, working together, the two cover all the bases. All modern phones have an A-GPS chip in them, but not all phones use it. When you are looking for a new smartphone, ask if it has a full, autonomous Assisted GPS that is user-accessible. This is the best configuration for users, although only some phones support it. Some phones may offer only limited A-GPS. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What Is GPS and How Does It Work? 5G Cell Towers: Why You See Them and How They Work How to Control GPS Settings on the iPhone Passive vs. Active GPS Antennas How to Fix It When Your iPhone GPS Isn’t Working How Does a Wi-Fi Positioning System Work? How to Make Your Cellphone Battery Last Longer How to Turn On/Off Location Services on the iPad How to Fix It When Facebook Keeps Crashing iPhone 6 GPS Features Understanding How a Mobile Network Works 10 Ways to Increase Cell Phone Signal Strength How to Make Wi-Fi Calls on Your iPhone Find the Best FM Frequencies for Your Car Transmitter A Sort, Simple Guide to Satellite Radio GPS Time to First Fix (TTFF) Defined Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies