Cold Start, Warm Start, and Hot Start in GNSS Receiver Operation
28.05.2025
Cold Start, Warm Start, and Hot Start in GNSS Receiver Operation
When using GNSS receivers in surveying, agriculture, or navigation, you may often hear the terms "cold start," "warm start", and "hot start". What do they mean and how do they affect your work? Here's a simple explanation.
❄️ Cold Start
This occurs when the GNSS receiver is powered on for the first time, hasn't been used for a long time, or you’ve moved to a completely new location.
- The receiver has no saved satellite data;
- It needs to download new data and search for satellites from scratch;
- Time to GNSS fix may take 1–5 minutes.
☀️ Warm Start
This is used when the receiver was recently in use but turned off for a short time or moved slightly.
- The receiver remembers which satellites to look for;
- Position is re-acquired faster — around 30–60 seconds.
🔥 Hot Start
This is the fastest option, when the receiver was only briefly turned off, and all data is still valid.
- Location and time haven’t changed;
- Positioning resumes in 5–10 seconds.
| Start Type | When It Occurs | Time to Position Fix |
|---|---|---|
| ❄️ Cold | New location, long pause | 1–5 minutes |
| ☀️ Warm | Short move, recent use | 30–60 seconds |
| 🔥 Hot | Brief power-off, same conditions | 5–10 seconds |
Understanding these start types allows you to plan your work more effectively. If your receiver was just turned off briefly — it will be ready in seconds. If it was off for a long time or moved to a new place — allow time for a cold start.
💡 Have questions or need help with setup? Contact us — we’re happy to assist!