u‑blox F9 GNSS Platform Enhances Xpeng P7 ADAS Precision

Positioning chip leader u‑blox has confirmed that its F9 global navigation satellite system (GNSS) platform is now a core component of Xpeng Motors’ P7 long‑range sedan, powering the vehicle’s XPILOT 3.0 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).

XPILOT 3.0 leverages the F9 chip to enable navigation‑guided driving, automated parking, and autonomous driving. When a driver selects a highway destination, the P7 autonomously follows the route, executing lane changes, switching to high‑speed corridors, and continuously selecting the most efficient path in real time.

Designed for the centimeter‑level accuracy required by assisted and fully autonomous driving, the F9 platform receives signals across L1, L2, and L5 bands from all major GNSS constellations—GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. This multi‑constellation, multi‑frequency architecture corrects ionospheric errors and delivers an exceptionally fast time‑to‑first‑fix (TTFF). To achieve precise positioning, the chip also implements real‑time kinematic (RTK) processing, measuring the phase of each carrier signal and delivering RTK updates at up to 20 Hz.

Built‑in jamming and spoofing detection safeguards the system against intentional and accidental interference, while inertial‑sensor‑based dead‑reckoning extends high‑precision performance into challenging urban canyons.

Xpeng, headquartered in Guangzhou, is a leading Chinese smart‑electric‑vehicle (EV) manufacturer that builds its own full‑stack autonomous driving stack, in‑car operating system, and core vehicle electronics. The P7, with a 706 km range, pairs the Nvidia Drive Xavier SoC for autonomous functions with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820A for intelligent services. Its XPILOT 3.0 suite is supported by 31 sensors, including ultrasonic units, high‑definition millimeter‑wave radars, and autonomous‑driving cameras.

The Xpeng Motors P7 smart EV (Image: u‑blox)

In December 2020, Xpeng achieved a record 5,700 EV deliveries, including 3,691 P7s. Across the year, the company delivered 27,041 vehicles, with 15,062 P7s sold after mass production began in late June. Xpeng’s manufacturing plants in Zhaoqing and Zhengzhou serve its extensive sales network across China, and the company maintains research offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, and San Diego.

» This article was originally published on our sister site, EE Times Europe.

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