Impact of Multi-GNSS Signal Strength on Smartphone Battery Consumption

This study investigates the impact of environmental conditions, multi-GNSS satellite signal strength, and battery levels on smartphone power consumption during location-based services (LBS). Using data collected from three Android smartphones under varying conditions (Open Sky and Urban Canopy), we examine the relationship between GNSS signal quality, positional accuracy, and battery drain. Results show that signal strength remains relatively stable across different battery levels in both environments, with urban areas experiencing weaker signals due to obstructions. Interestingly, some satellite constellations, like BeiDou and QZSS, exhibit stable or improved signal strength as battery levels decrease, suggesting optimizations in the GNSS chipsets. Power consumption was higher in open sky conditions, where stronger signals required continuous GNSS sensor activity. In contrast, urban environments saw lower power drain as the device struggled to maintain connections. Significant variations in power drain were observed across devices, with more efficient smartphones like Vivo V23e 5G and ASUS MAX PRO consuming less power. The study highlights the potential for optimizing GNSS systems to reduce battery drain without sacrificing accuracy, contributing to more energy-efficient LBS applications in smartphones.