Wondering about what GNSS receiver you should choose for your meter-level accuracy application?

Applications requiring sub-ten-meter positioning accuracy today can choose between single-band or dual-band technology. While this decision might seem as simple as flipping a coin, it's far from that. Designers must carefully weigh their choice, as it can significantly impact the end-user application. Power consumption, costs, required accuracy, and the environment in which the application is used are the key factors designers should consider before opting for one or the other.

The major difference between single-band and dual-band GNSS receivers lies in the frequency bands they use to receive data. Single-band GNSS receivers rely on a single frequency band, typically the L1 band. In contrast, dual-band receivers utilize two bands, usually L1 and L2 or L1 and L5.

This fundamental difference impacts position accuracy, particularly in multipath environments, as they can be an urban area or a tree-covered region. The choice between the two thus depends on the specific purpose and requirements of the application.

The following three scenarios offer a more detailed understanding of when to select each type of GNSS receiver. 

Open-sky environment

Suppose your end-user application is designed for people/asset tracking, a consumer UAV, all of which typically require sub-ten-meter position accuracy. In this case, devices are usually battery-powered and should consume minimal power to last a considerable amount of time without the need to recharge them.  

Since L1 single-band receivers are more affordable due to their use of common RF components, straightforward antenna designs, and lower power consumption compared to dual-band receivers, they are a good option for the mentioned applications mainly operating in open sky conditions or with high battery constraints.  

In an open-sky environment, these applications will operate similarly to those with dual-band receivers. For instance, if a company is tracking a truck or a rental car moving on highways of a country, single-band receivers could be the right choice. The same applies to a UAV capturing images of a mining or construction area.  

The main drawback of single-band receivers is their susceptibility to multipath effects. In environments affected by these conditions, the position accuracy of a single-band receiver will be compromised. This is where dual-band technology can make a difference.

Urban areas 

Micromobility and wearable applications have one thing in common: both require good performance in urban areas, where large buildings, tunnels, bridges, and other obstacles, such as trees, can reflect satellite signals. In this environment, a single-band receiver may not suffice. Instead, you would need an L1/L5 dual-band GNSS receiver, which can offer good positioning accuracy, even in this setting. 

Imagine traveling on a rented scooter in the streets of a city like Chicago, where skyscrapers reflect satellite signals all day long. You are heading to your destination where you need to put the scooter in a dedicated parking area to be able to lock it. In case the reported position of the GNSS is too different from the real position, you won’t be able to do that. This is the reason why GNSS receivers for these applications need to be resilient to multipath effects while providing meter-level positioning.  

But don’t rush to conclude that dual-band is a better choice than single-band technology, as dual-band receivers also show some drawbacks—two, to be more precise. They consume more power than single-band receivers, which can pose challenges for battery-powered devices, like wearables that are physically constrained to include larger batteries in their design. Another important aspect to note is that the GPS L5 signal is not fully operational as of today. 

^{L1/L5 dual-band GNSS performs better in urban environment}

High position availability

Some high-end aftermarket telematics applications do not only ask for good position accuracy, but also for high position availability, for example when the vehicle enters a covered parking area. In such cases, it is possible to combine GNSS technology with dead reckoning. The combination offers further advantages, including continued navigation with GNSS outages, which typically occur in tunnels or underground parking areas. If you want to learn how dead reckoning can address the positioning issues that vehicles experience, particularly in the context of aftermarket telematics, take a look at our blog to learn more. 

Choosing a single band or dual-band product depends on your use case

Choosing between a single-band and dual-band GNSS receiver requires careful consideration of your application's specific needs, including the necessary positioning accuracy, power consumption constraints, budget, and whether the operating environment is urban or rural. The table below condenses what single-band and dual-band receivers offer for each of the mentioned variables.  

	L1	L1 + DR*	L1/L5
Power consumption	Lower -	Medium +	Medium +
Required antenna	Cheaper $	Cheaper $	More expensive $$
Signal availability	GPS Galileo  Beidou	GPS Galileo  Beidou	GPS** Galileo  Beidou
Position availability	Worse -	Better +	Worse -
Position accuracy in urban areas	Worse -	Better +	Better +
Good solution for…	“Open-sky environment”	“High position availability”	“Urban areas”
Recommended GNSS product	u-blox M10  portfolio	NEO-M9V  module	u-blox F10  portfolio

^{* Dead-Reckoning
** GPS L5 not fully operational (as of May 2025)}

Considering these factors will help you select the most suitable GNSS receiver to optimize performance based on your positioning requirements. The L1 single band GNSS products u-blox M10 and the L1/L5 dual-band GNSS products u-blox F10 are a good starting point for most use cases.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for tailored guidance or watch our video to see how our experts help you choose the right meter-level GNSS receiver.