Role, path, and vision of “5G + BDS/GNSS”

Communication, positioning, navigation, and decision-making abilities have evolved into Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) intelligence during the long process of human migration and hence promoted human evolution. This article defines intelligence and smartness from the perspective of biological intelligence. New requirements as a result of the development of communication, navigation, time service, and decision making are identified in this study. The article points out that there are many radio PNT service methods, such as 5G, the new-generation high-speed communication networks and the low-latency and ubiquitous mobile communication networks as well as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), but the integrated application is especially important in providing technical support for the adjustment and control of the physical world by intelligent sensing, cognition, decision-making, and precise coordination. The fusion of 5G and GNSS [including BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS)] information with the corresponding equipment can be embedded into a machine to make it intelligent. Furthermore, the fused information of 5G and GNSS together with the environment information may extend human perception and physical world control ability in terms of time and space scale. It will help to develop critical information infrastructure in the age of intelligence, which will also extend the definition of artificial intelligence. Additionally, the “5G + BDS/GNSS” fusion path is analyzed explicitly herein in terms of realization methods, information processing, and new application services. On the whole, the application of “5G + BDS/GNSS + satellite-based communication” as a critical infrastructure for land, sea, air, space and network spatiotemporal control rights is proposed.