# What is a Positioning Engine?

A Positioning Engine is a core software component that processes raw data from Global Navigation Satellite System ( [GNSS](/content/glossary/what-is-gnss/index.html)) receivers, correction services, and additional sensors (such as [IMU](/content/glossary/what-is-an-inertial-measurement-unit-imu/index.html) s) to deliver precise, real-time position, velocity, and time (PVT) outputs.

In advanced automotive and autonomous applications, the Positioning Engine is responsible for integrating GNSS measurements with correction data, such as those from Swift’s [Skylark](/content/products/skylark/index.html) service, and sensor fusion algorithms to achieve lane-level accuracy and high integrity. The Positioning Engine is designed to be receiver-agnostic, supporting multiple GNSS constellations and frequencies, and can be integrated with a variety of vehicle platforms.

It outputs not only position and velocity but also confidence metrics such as protection levels and covariance matrices, which are critical for safety-related functions. The Positioning Engine is developed to meet stringent automotive safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262 ASIL-B), ensuring that its outputs are reliable for use in safety-critical systems like autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems ( [ADAS](/content/glossary/what-is-adas/index.html)).

Check out Swift Navigation’s ASIL certified positioning engine, [Starling](/content/products/starling/index.html), which is a component of the [Swift Automotive Suite](/content/products/swift-automotive-suite/index.html).

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