MAPPING

Mobile Mapping System
With integrated inertial labs INS/lidar

The Meridian mobile mapping system integrates the Mosaic X camera with Inertial Labs inertial navigation system (INS) and lidar to improve mapping accuracy.

The Meridian system offers panoramas with a 74 MP native resolution and 13.5 K resolution using precisely synchronized camera modules. The design minimizes image overlap to offer clearer and more consistent panoramas. The integrated INS system has a vertical accuracy of 2 cm to 3 cm and a precision of 2 cm to 4 cm.

It features seamless, out-of-the-box operations with fully integrated and calibrated components. The Meridian system is designed for ease of use and requires only minutes of training. In addition, it features a rugged design to ensure performance in challenging environments.

Mosaic, mosaic51.com

OEM

INS
Combines a GPS master clock with an INS

The Geo-APNT serves applications requiring precise navigation data and an accurate time reference. The Geo-APNT combines a versatile GPS master clock with an INS to
offer assured positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) under all circumstances, including temporary loss of GPS signal. It minimizes size, weight and power (SWaP) due to the integration of positioning and timing that are typically achieved by two independent subsystems.

It can be easily integrated into existing systems and supports RTK and PPK positioning and offers support for MEMS, fiber optic gyro and ring laser gyro inertial measurement units (IMUs). The system also includes GPS antenna and cables.

AEVEX Aerospace, aevex.com

Tactical-Grade IMUs

For unmanned applications

<p>The post Launchpad: Tactical-grade IMUs, Spirent simulator upgrades, atomic clocks and more first appeared on GPS World.</p>

LabSat 4 has been engineered to deliver ease of use, with saveable custom record settings and a web-based interface for effortless configuration. Its impressive file management capabilities, featuring 7.6TB internal storage and fast data transfer via Gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.0, meet high-volume data demands efficiently. Maintaining the compact size, portability, and cost efficiency of its predecessors, LabSat 4 is ideal for use both in the field and laboratory. Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with SatGen Simulation Software, enabling the creation of detailed GNSS RF I&Q scenario files based on custom trajectories, enhancing its utility for sophisticated GNSS signal testing.

Learn more.

This video is sponsored content by Racelogic.

<p>The post Introducing the LabSat 4 GNSS Simulator first appeared on GPS World.</p>

Photo: LabSat

LabSat has launched the LabSat 4 GNSS simulator, designed to meet the demands of modern GNSS signal testing.

The simulator is equipped with three radio frequency (RF) channels, each of which can be configured with up to 12-bit I&Q quantization and a bandwidth of up to 60 MHz. This flexibility allows users to precisely control recording parameters and optimize file sizes based on their specific testing requirements. Additionally, synchronized record and replay of external data sources such as CAN, CAN-FD, RS232 and digital event capture are designed to further enhance complex test scenarios.

Users can save custom record settings for efficient setup and repeatability, and a user-friendly, web-based interface allows easy configuration and management of the simulation environment.

LabSat 4 offers file management capabilities with 7.6TB internal storage and robust data transfer options via Gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.0. This technology accommodates the high-volume data needs of modern GNSS testing without sacrificing speed or performance.

It maintains compact size, portability and cost efficiency and can be used in the field and laboratory.

It is fully compatible with SatGen Simulation Software, which allows users to create GNSS RF I&Q scenario files based on custom trajectories. This integration enables the simulation of scenarios that include multi-stop routes, time zone transitions, leap seconds, and more, based on any specified time, date and location.

<p>The post LabSat launches GNSS simulator first appeared on GPS World.</p>

SPIRENT FEDERAL SYSTEMS

Alternative PNT, CRPA, M-code & Y-code, Non-GNSS Sensors & Anechoic Chamber Testing

Alternative RF Navigation Simulator (Photo: Spirent Federal Systems)

New Alternative RF Navigation Simulator. Authorized users of Spirent’s alternative PNT simulation system can generate alternative RF navigation signals individually or concurrently with GNSS signals.

GSS9000. The GSS9000 Series multi-frequency, multi-GNSS RF constellation simulator is Spirent’s most comprehensive simulation solution. It can simulate signals from all GNSS and regional navigation systems and has an unrivaled update rate of 2 kHz (0.5 ms), enabling ultra-high-dynamic simulations with accuracy and fidelity. The GSS9000 supports M-code, Y-code, alternative PNT and non-GNSS sensors, and comes with built-in jamming, spoofing and flex power.

SimMNSA. Spirent Federal has the first fully approved MNSA M-code simulator. Authorized users of the GSS9000 series of simulators will be able to utilize the advanced capabilities of SimMNSA to create robust military GPS user equipment (MGUE) solutions.

Spirent GSS9000 Series constellation simulator (Photo: Spirent Federal Systems)

CRPA Test System. The CRPA Test System is scalable, testing antennas from 4 to 16 elements and beyond. More than 1,000 independent GNSS, jamming and spoofing signals can be generated/simulated across a phase-calibrated precise wavefront.
SimINERTIAL. Supporting the leading embedded GPS/inertial systems (EGI) and inertial measurement units (IMU), SimINERTIAL enables the controllable generation of inertial sensor outputs, synchronous with simulated GNSS, to test integrated GPS/inertial systems in the lab.

Anechoic Chamber Testing. Spirent’s GSS9790 multi-output, multi-GNSS RF constellation wavefront simulator system can be used in both conducted (lab) and radiated (chamber) conditions.

Mid-Range Solutions. Spirent offers solutions for every application and price point. The GSS7000 multi-constellation simulator provides an easy-to-use solution for GNSS testing that can grow with users’ requirements. The GSS6450 RF record-and-playback system enables replay of real-world GNSS tests in the lab.

info@spirentfederal.com
spirentfederal.com
801-785-1448

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OROLIA

Skydel GSG-8 (Photo: Orolia)

Essential to Advanced GNSS Simulator Solutions

Based on the Skydel GNSS Simulation Engine, Orolia’s advanced and essential GNSS simulators offer a wide breadth and depth of tools to test mission-critical positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) applications and scenarios.

Skydel Simulation Engine. The highly flexible, high-performance Skydel Simulation Engine transmits GNSS signals in real time to many kinds of software-defined radios. Skydel uses graphics processing units (GPUs) to compute the digital GNSS signal of all simulated satellites, easily scaling from simple to complex use cases. Skydel simulates civil signals from global and regional navigation satellite systems with a 1000-Hz update rate, many kinds of GNSS receiver trajectories with high dynamics, and advanced jamming and spoofing. The Skydel ecosystem also includes features such as open-source plug-ins and API, and the ability to create custom signals. The custom-signal feature allows users to experiment with new signals, such as navigation from low-Earth-orbit satellite systems.

GSG-8. A scalable software-powered turnkey simulation solution, GSG-8 is configurable to meet virtually any testing requirements. It can support multi-constellation, multi-frequency and hundreds of signals with a 1000-Hz iteration rate. This advanced hardware platform is suitable for space trajectories, custom PNT signals, hardware-in-the-loop, multi-antenna simulation, and more. Encrypted EU signals will be available soon.

Skydel CRPA Testing. With self-calibration, integrated advanced jamming and spoofing, and the ability to generate thousands of signals, Skydel CRPA test systems provide everything needed to test CRPA systems, with a focus on ease of use and the testing experience from the user point of view. Two flexible configurations, Skydel Anechoic and Skydel Wavefront, have been carefully designed to provide the advanced simulation features required for CRPA testing in a well-thought-out package. Both provide COTS hardware benefits: configuration flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

GSG-5 and GSG-6. Orolia’s essential simulation platform is a proven, cost-effective simulation solution. Combined with the freely available StudioView software, these simulators provide high-end capabilities in a standalone, portable system that allows operation via a front panel interface. GSG-5 and GSG-6 are available with support for multi-frequency and multi-constellation GNSS signal simulation, pre-built scenarios and test packages, and the features neded to integrate it into ATE systems.

sales@orolia.com
www.orolia.com

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Orolia defense & Security

BroadSim 4U, Advanced NAVWAR simulations, MNSA and Y-Code (Photo: Orolia)

Advanced GNSS Simulation for Government & Defense

BroadSim

Powered by the Skydel Simulation Engine, BroadSim provides superior NAVWAR performance, sharing the same benefits and key features of its software-defined platform.

Key Applications

BroadSim Solo: Multi-GNSS simulations on the desktop. (Photo: Orolia)

MNSA M-Code. BroadSim offers a fully flexible implementation of the Modernized NavStar Security Algorithm, giving you full control over scenario settings with the real encryption used on the M-code signal. Any aspect of your scenario can be changed, such as time, date, location, constellation, downlink data, signal configuration, and visible satellites. It is security-approved by SMC Production Corps and shipping as soon as today.

CRPA Testing. BroadSim leverages Skydel’s CRPA testing solution to up the ante for demanding NAVWAR scenarios. BroadSim Anechoic allows you to test an entire system as-is. Skydel auto- calibrates the system, maps the antennas, and is designed to streamline chamber setup and reduce hardware. Broadsim Wavefront tests the antenna electronics, prioritizing the ability to have dynamic trajectories and allowing you to model any scenario with an unlimited number of interferences. The system is scalable from 4 to 16 elements, is phase coherent, performs real-time automated phase calibration, and has built-in jamming and spoofing.

BroadSim Wavefront: Phase-aligned NAVWAR simulator for CRPA (Photo: Orolia)

Advanced Jamming and Spoofing. With Advanced Jamming, users can add ground- and space-based emitters to scenarios, generate an unlimited number of jamming signals on 1 RF output, and simulate flight profiles where interference power levels at the UUT dynamically change depending on the scenario motion. With Advanced Spoofing, users can simulate multiple spoofers simultaneously. Each spoofer can generate any GNSS signal and has an independent trajectory and antenna pattern. Signal dynamics between each spoofer and receiver antenna are automatically determined so no time is wasted.
More Features. Inertial and alternative RF navigation, built-in Flex Power, real-time performance with ultra-low latency of 5ms, high dynamics, terrain modeling, and RMF STIG compliance.

sales@oroliads.com
www.oroliads.com

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LABSAT

LabSat 3 (Photo: LabSat)

Test Anywhere with LabSat 3 Wideband and SatGen Simulation Software

LabSat 3 Wideband. The LabSat 3 Wideband is a compact yet powerful multi-constellation and multi-frequency GNSS testing solution. The easy-to-use, one-touch record-and-replay function provides an efficient way to test and develop GNSS-based technology without the cost and limitations of live-sky signals.

It is lightweight and portable, enabling easy collaboration with colleagues by sharing scenario files over the internet, and making it a suitable test partner for remote working. Additionally, the removeable solid-state drive (SSD) of up to 7 terabytes and a two-hour runtime provided by an internal battery is ready for field testing in any environment.

LabSat 3 Wideband can record and replay up to three different channels at 56-MHz bandwidth across all major constellations and signals, including:

• GPS: L1/L2/L5
• Galileo: E1/E1a/E5a/E5b/E6
• GLONASS: L1/L2/L3
• BeiDou: B1/B2/B3
• NavIC: L5/S-band
• QZSS: L1/L2/L5
• L-band correction services including SBAS
• 2x CAN and 4x digital input channels tightly synchronized with GNSS data
• future signal launches are also supported, including L2C, L5 and L1C

SatGen Simulation Software. SatGen software allows users to quickly create bespoke, accurate scenarios with their own time, location and trajectory that can be replayed via a LabSat GNSS simulator.

The latest version of SatGen can be used to create a single scenario containing all the upper and lower L-band signals for GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou and NavIC.

sales@labsat.co.uk
www.labsat.co.uk

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CAST NAVIGATION

Intuitive graphical interface (Photo: CAST Navigation)

Accurate, repeatable simulation solutions

When getting the job done right the first time — and every time — matters, CAST Navigation’s suite of simulator solutions delivers precision, accuracy and repeatability. From simple integration testing to complex mission simulations, CAST Navigation solutions scale to meet user requirements.

Powered by multi-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS and interference signal-generation technology, CAST Navigation simulators provide coherent, highly accurate and fully programmable signals. Advanced, configurable vehicle trajectory capabilities meet project requirements ranging from antenna testing to simulations of squadrons maneuvering in contested environments.

Intuitive Graphical Interface. A comprehensive and intuitive graphical interface unifies all simulator capabilities so users can configure complex simulation scenarios quickly. For example, CAST Navigation simulators can model many vehicle types with static and dynamic motion profiles: airborne, terrestrial, aquatic or space-based. Using configured scenario profiles or vehicle truth data, CAST Navigation simulators create high-dynamic, 6-DOF real-time trajectories.

High-Fidelity Simulations of Real-World Conditions. CAST Navigation solutions can reproduce terrain, sea-state and atmospheric effects to simulate missions with high fidelity. Jamming capabilities recreate natural, urban and hostile interference to produce precisely controlled waveforms with high output power and exceptionally low intermodulation noise.

Multi-Frequency, Multi-Constellation Simulations. The GPS/GNSS simulators generate accurate, programmable signals to each antenna element with up to 16 satellites in view from as many as four constellation types. GPS simulations can generate any positioning signal (C/A-code, P-code, Y-code, SAASM, M-code AES and M-code MNSA).

Modular, Scalable Solutions. Proprietary synchronization technology lets CAST Navigation configure customer solutions with multiple simulator capabilities — GPS/GNSS, inertial, jamming, and CRPA — to meet specific project needs. As those needs evolve, these solutions do not become obsolete. Rather than replace a functioning system, customers can rely on modular architecture to meet their new requirements.

sales@castnav.com
www.castnav.com
978-858-0130

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iFEN

NCS NOVA GNSS simulator (Photo: IFEN)

NCS NOVA GNSS Simulator

The NCS NOVA GNSS simulator is a high-end, powerful and easy-to-use satellite navigation testing and R&D device. It is fully capable of multi-constellation and multi-frequency simulations for a wide range of GNSS applications. It is one of the leading solutions on the market, providing multiple GNSS frequencies in one box.

Because of the modern and flexible software-defined radio (SDR) design of this simulator, testing requirements will be met with the minimum of equipment, facilitating logistics and reducing the cost of ownership. The innovative multi-constellation and multi-frequency simulation capability sets new standards in the field of GNSS simulation in terms of fidelity, performance, accuracy and reliability. Designed to deliver maximum flexibility, users are no longer faced with configuration limitations.

The NCS NOVA GNSS simulator is also able to coherently generate GNSS RF signals on two independent RF outputs simultaneously. The user may freely allocate GNSS signals and RF channels to each of the RF outputs. This feature allows simulation of GNSS signals at two antenna locations simultaneously (this could be two antennas on a vehicle, two separate vehicles maneuvering independently, or a static location plus a mobile unit).

A new key enhancement to the NCS NOVA GNSS simulator is comprehensive support of new Galileo OS signal message improvements on E1B. By enabling real-time simulation of the Galileo OS message improvements, the NCS NOVA expands a user’s Galileo signal capability.

In the future, the NCS NOVA also will fully support the new Galileo E1B OS Navigation Message Authentication (OS-NMA) and Galileo E6B High Accuracy Service (HAS) capabilities.

The NCS NOVA GNSS simulator is the first choice in signal simulation for a wide range of applications including space, aviation, automotive (including autonomous driving testing) and many others.

About IFEN. IFEN is a leading provider of GNSS navigation products and services. Its technology portfolio includes GNSS RF-signal simulators, GNSS software receivers, simulation and data processing tools. IFEN’s outstanding satellite navigation expertise is provided to customers for services including GNSS system studies, research and development of navigation and integrity algorithms, design and development of GNSS software and hardware, on up to engineering of turnkey facilities and systems.

sales@fen.com
www.ifen.com
+49-(0)8121-2238-10

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TeleOrbit GmbH

MGSE REC/REP 2.0 (Photo: FhG IIS)

MGSE REC | MGSE REC-REP 2.0 | MGSE SIM-REP | GNSS DCP Antenna | GOOSE-OSNMA

The MGSE product family creates a versatile GNSS test and simulation environment that improves the development, qualification and certification process of GNSS receivers within development phases and for validation and certification in end-to-end tests.

MGSE enables mobile and stationary interference monitoring, for example, for protecting critical infrastructures. It can be used for interference mitigation if combined with TeleOrbit’s GNSSA-6E (six-element antenna array) or its GNSS DCP (dual circularly polarized)antenna.

With MGSE REC-REP 2.0 users can, among other tasks, record Galileo PRS signals in a real user environment and replay them for Galileo PRS receiver testing.

MGSE SIM-REP supports the development of software-defined radios/receivers or specialized algorithms by creating a simulation environment that provides the possibility and flexibility to use synthetically generated GNSS data and recorded real-world samples.

For jamming and spoofing test and evaluation, TeleOrbit offers a sophisticated solution based on the MGSE simulation, recording and replaying product family. For spoofing mitigation, the GOOSE-OSNMA receiver platform is available.

Technical Background

The multi-band RF front-end (MGSE REC) receives the GNSS RF signals in different frequency bands simultaneously to obtain digital IF data, which can be used for GNSS multi-system signal analysis and comparison. All GNSS L-band frequencies and the NavIC S-band are supported.

The MGSE Replay Unit includes a flexible multi-band RF replay device that streams simulated and recorded raw IF data to a digital baseband output or to an analog RF signal. Up to two independent RF channels and up to four GNSS signals (L1, E1, B1, G1) can be provided.

GOOSE is a powerful yet compact GNSS receiver lab and the rapid prototyping solution for leading-edge GNSS receiver development.

The GNSSA-DCP (dual circularly polarized antenna) receives RHCP and LHCP signals simultaneously (full L-band). It clearly detects signals which have been corrupted by diffraction and reflections.

Jürgen Seybold, CTO
sales@teleorbit.eu
teleorbit.eu/en/satnav/

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WORK Microwave

Xidus Signal Module (Photo: Work Microwave)

Xidus GNSS Simulator — Modular and flexible

WORK Microwave’s Xidus is well-known for meeting all requirements regarding multi-GNSS; for its multi-frequency and multi-RF signal generation; for its innovative Signal Extension and Enhancements (SEE) technology; for its advanced customization and configurability; and for world-class remote support with updates, training and even scenario execution.

Xidus Signal Module

Compact and powerful, the Xidus Signal Module provides new capabilities of signal generation. Users can perform rigorous and extensive testing of present and future positioning systems when conducting navigation research or developing products.

• Possible applications: pseudolite generation, massive multipath or navigation signal generation on various orbits.
• Extensive increase of supported channels: >250.
• Unlimited number of multipath channels with delay >3,000km.
• Interference signal generation on up to four independent frequencies.
• Acts as a software-defined radio (SDR) to replay signals.

Xidus-648 (Photo: Work Microwave)

Xidus Hardware Series

Xidus-424 GNSS Simulator

• Up to 4 signal modules
• 2 RF outputs
• Wide dynamic power range

Xidus-648 GNSS Simulator

• Up to 8 signal modules
• 4 RF outputs
• 1,000 Hz update rate

Xidus-Studio Client Software

Xidus-Studio provides a user-friendly graphical interface to configure any GNSS scenario. Its advanced and outstanding features include:

• multipath, antenna patterns, jamming/spoofing configuration.
• logging of simulation output on user-defined IP networks.
• concurrent user access to the hardware.
• visualization of shared scenarios on multiple desktop PCs.

xidus@work-microwave.com
www.work-microwave.com
+49-8024-6408-222

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Qascom

Photo: Qascom

QA707 cyber-security simulator

QA707 is the cutting-edge solution for global threat GNSS awareness and management. It is a GNSS simulator specifically designed to test cyber-attacks and authentication, and includes the simulation of GNSS interference, deception, jamming, spoofing and advanced cyber-threats such as data- and code-level attacks.

The high flexibility in the creation of the scenarios and the definition of the type of attacker allow cyber-threat and vulnerability testing for several applications,These applications may include, for example, autonomous driving and vehicle tracking, aeronautics and high dynamics applications, space GNSS receivers and timing.

OSNMA Support. The Galileo Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) simulation is an opportunity to test the new Galileo data protected service against several known vulnerabilities in GNSS applications. The OSNMA simulator is also available as a standalone tool, allowing the generation of OSNMA data that can be used with third party simulators.

PC-capable. QA707 runs on a standard PC. It is compatible with several third-party hardware RF up-converters, including National Instruments’ USRP. Additionally, it can support customer-specific hardware through the hardware API interface.

QA707 Main Features

• Multi constellation (currently GPS L1, GALILEO E1, SBAS L1)
• Galileo OSNMA
• RF simulation, binary file dump, signal record and replay
• Support to SDR platforms and open API for custom RF upconverters
• Runtime streaming of scenario information over UDP (motion, channel data)
• Data level cyber-attacks
• Accurate spoofing signals control, trajectory spoofing, signal replay attacks
• Narrow band, wide band, frequency modulated jamming
• Integrity threats (on request): evil waveform, erroneous ephemerides, code/carrier divergence, low satellite signal power, excessive range acceleration
• Built-in editing tools: Rinex editor, trajectory editor

sales@qascom.it
www.qascom.it

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M3 Systems

The StellaNGC all-in-one testing platform. (Photo: M3 Systems)

High-end multi-constellation and multi-frequency GNSS Simulator and Record & Playback

M3 Systems offers a fully integrated all-in-one testing solution for GNSS. Thanks to a versatile SDR approach, StellaNGC provides on a single HW platform GNSS simulation and GNSS record & playback functionalities. It answers user challenges from aerospace, defense, ground transportation and telecommunication fields when testing the PNT functions of their GNSS-based systems.

StellaNGC Plug & Play. This fully scalable and customizable simulator is based on a layered architecture to provide PNT data to the user at different levels (RF, IQ, GNSS raw data, trajectory).

Based on COTS platforms from National Instruments (NI), StellaNGC P&P allows the simulation of civil signals from GNSS as well as ground-based and satellite-based augmentation systems. It covers terrestrial, aerial and spatial trajectories (including high dynamics). It also enables assessment of GNSS solution robustness with jamming, meaconing and spoofing capacity.

StellaNGC P&P Main Features

• Multi-constellation, multi-frequency GNSS simulation
• Multi-antenna (CRPA applications) and multi-trajectories
• Jamming and spoofing simulation
• Cm-level positioning
• Low latency HIL simulation
• SBAS and RTK augmentation systems
• 3D multipath generation
• IMU sensors modelization
• Configuration of all scenario parameters
• Signal control during run-time
• Intuitive and easy to use GUI

StellaNGC Record & Playback. As a complement to simulation, StellaNGC RP allows test and validation of PNT functions through high-fidelity record-and-playback of GNSS signals. It allows recording by selection of a center frequency (65 MHz–6 GHz) or with a predefined list of GNSS frequencies for each of its 4 RF channelw, with a bandwidth of up to 120 MHz.

StellaNGC R&P Main Features

• Multi-bands record & playback
• Programmable center frequency and bandwidth
• Single or multi-channel (up to 4) simultaneous records
• Easy-to-use graphical interface
• Access and command through API
• Automatic gain control
• Smart I/Q recording (event-based record)

adsales@m3systems.eu
m3systems.eu/en/home/

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Jackson Labs Technologies (JLT)

CLAW (Photo: Jackson Labs Technologies)

Miniature simulator and scenario generator

The 18-channel miniature full-constellation CLAW GPS Simulator is a fully self-contained, low size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) miniature GPS simulator. It is very popular in manufacturing environments as well as R&D applications that require consistent and repeatable local GNSS signals at low price points.

The CLAW simulator does not require external computers for processing and control — it works fully self-contained by simply applying power, and storing location/time/date data in internal non-volatile memory, or by storing complex vector data to simulate highly dynamic scenarios. The CLAW also can be used to transcode NMEA or SCPI position/velocity/time (PVT) data into GPS RF signals. For 2022, JLT added driver support for a large number of additional GNSS front-end receivers when using the hardware-in-the-loop (transcoding) feature of the unit to, for instance, transcode from one GNSS system to another.

JLT offers an easy-to-use, highly configurable and cost-free SimCon Windows application program that is downloadable from the JLT website. SimCon allows random scenario generation and is thus usable to simulate leap-second events, Week 1023 rollover events, or any other GPS live-sky scenarios, including highly complex yet easy-to-create dynamic vector simulations.

For authorized U.S. government users, a version that does not have altitude and velocity limitations is popular for low-Earth-orbit (LEO) simulations. Multipath simulation allows use of the entire 18-channel simulator capability.

The unit can be field-upgraded with an easy-to-use in-field software upgrade feature. The CLAW is also very useful in GNSS receiver sensitivity testing for R&D or mass-production assembly lines as it allows accurate control of RF output power ranging from –100 dBm to less than –130 dBm with 0.1-dB resolution and typically better than 1-dB accuracy over the controllable power range.

The CLAW GPS Simulator also has a built-in RF signal generator with sweep, CW and random noise functions that are useful in simulating GNSS jamming scenarios, as well as GPS spoofing scenarios. The simulator comes in an FCC-certified metal desktop enclosure with numerous accessories.

The CLAW firmware has been updated to allow live-sky almanac and ephemerides to be automatically uploaded from various externally connected GNSS receivers. This makes simulations using real-time live-sky constellations (such as used in simulating spoofing attacks) an easy task. A free firmware update is available from JLT.

sales@jackson-labs.com
www.jackson-labs.com
702-233-1334

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SYNTONY GNSS 

High-end GNSS simulation solutions for R&D, integration and product testing

Syntony GNSS specializes in GNSS/PNT software-defined receiver (SDR) technologies, operating from receivers to test and measurements solutions. Its products and solutions address multiple markets and use cases in the space, defense and transportation industries. 

Constellator. (Photo: Syntony)

Constellator GNSS Simulator. Scalable, cost-effective, and high-fidelity SDR software-based platform supporting multi-constellation signals and frequencies (open, restricted and custom), hundreds of signals at 1-kHz iteration rate at zero effective latency, space trajectories and high dynamics. Multiple upgradable hardware configurations are available. 

Constellator CRPA. Synchro-phase SDR by design, advanced jamming and spoofing, thousands of signals, 4 to 16 elements. 

Echo. (Photo: Syntony)

Echo Recorder & Replayer. High-fidelity record-and-replay devices characterizing group-delay, scintillation, and jamming and spoofing interference, from space to ground market segments. 

• 3 RF channels of 200Mhz sampling rate 
• 16 bit I/Q 
• Up to 1.6 GB/s write/read speed. 

SubWAVE manager. (Photo: Syntony)

SubWAVE GNSS/GPS Coverage Extension. Universal and seamless GPS/GNSS coverage extension for rail, road and mining infrastructures. SubWAVE signals are natively compatible with every GNSS-enabled device, and the solution uses existing telecom infrastructure to broadcast GNSS signals. 

www.syntony-gnss.com
Contact@syntony-gnss.com 

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<p>The post 2022 Simulator Buyers Guide first appeared on GPS World.</p>

An off-the-shelf PC provides the computing power for complex GNSS driving simulations. (Photo: Racelogic)

By Julian Thomas
Managing Director, Racelogic

Driving simulators are commonly used by vehicle manufacturers to expedite the test and development process of their many electronic systems. This not only saves the considerable time and expense of using a real car on a test track, but it is, of course, significantly more environmentally friendly.

LabSat simulators are used by many leading technology companies and car manufacturers to develop and verify the performance of their new products containing GNSS receivers. These tests are performed using either a pre-recorded or an artificially generated RF signal. This RF signal contains the combination of multiple satellite signals, which are decoded by the GNSS engine, tracking the artificial satellites as though they were real. Static or moving scenarios can be generated, and the user can select parameters to suit their own application, such as time, date and available constellations.

Julian Thomas
Managing Director
Racelogic

Recently, an automotive LabSat customer had a specific requirement to synchronize a GNSS receiver with the real-time trajectory data generated by one of their driving simulators. This was for a hardware-in-the-loop test rig where a human driver would navigate a route around a virtual test track, while the normal electronic systems reacted as if the vehicle were being driven around a real environment.

The challenge in this customer’s application was that the time delay between the trajectory coming from the simulator and the generation of the corresponding GNSS signals had to be less than 100 ms. This low latency was necessary to achieve realistic synchronization between the driver’s inputs and the resulting output from the GNSS-based device under test.

Traditionally, low-latency real-time simulators use bulky expensive hardware that relies on power-hungry field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to create the necessary satellite signals. However, due to the inevitable tick of Moore’s Law, and with some clever optimizations, your entry-level desktop PC now packs more than enough punch to simulate multiple constellations and signals with very low latency.

Using a standard PC to do the heavy lifting means that the hardware required to output the simulated signal is much easier to obtain, can be a lot simpler, and is considerably more cost effective. For example, an 8-core, 3-Ghz Intel i7 processor can generate the signals from 20 satellites in real-time, which normally is sufficient to simulate all but the most complex scenarios.

Our LabSat SatGen software has been continuously developed and optimized during the past 15 years, so it did not take us long to enable the reception of an NMEA trajectory stream with a latency of less than 100 ms. We then streamed this simulated data via USB to our LabSat Real-Time, which generated a corresponding RF signal that can be connected directly to the RF input of any modern GNSS engine.

Using a PC to generate the signals does not mean a loss of fidelity, with the resulting output achieving a repeatable position of less than 10 cm, while the trajectory data can be received at up to 100 Hz.

The resulting solution can take trajectory data from any kind of simulator that has an API to obtain real-time data, such as many popular off-the-shelf driving and flight software simulators, and use this to provide a real-time signal that can be utilized by the GNSS device under test.

Our future development roadmap includes synthesizing external signals, such as CAN-based sensors or inertial measurement units, and then synchronizing these signals with the incoming trajectory. With the amazing power of a modern PC, we are finding that this kind of complex simulation is now much more cost effective and easier to achieve.

<p>The post Using modern PCs to carry the load first appeared on GPS World.</p>

The Profit Track 10 Ones to Watch list represents a cross-section of companies that have achieved or predict good profit growth. In addition to profit performance, inclusion is also based on factors such as resilience in the face of the pandemic and strength of the business model.

Graham Mackie, CEO of Racelogic, was delighted to see the hard work of his team recognized by industry experts. “In a challenging year, we are proud of our performance and the way in which every member of the team at RACELOGIC has adapted to new ways of working and serving our customers,” he said.

The Buckingham-based business sells to more than 100 countries and generated 88% of its sales overseas last year. “We have great products that service a global market that provided some resilience to the impact of the pandemic,” Mackie said. “We are continuing to develop cutting-edge technology, which is enabling us to diversify into new sectors including the film and gaming industries.”

The sales growth and addition of new products has resulted in Racelogic expanding its workforce at a time when many are having to reduce staff numbers, Mackie said. “We are currently recruiting for a range of engineering and administrative positions, all of which can be found on our website. It is an exciting time to join Racelogic, and perhaps even more so now that we are officially ‘one to watch’.”

The 10 Profit Track Ones to Watch finalists will be judged by Stuart Lisle, senior tax partner at BDO, and Hamish Stevenson, founder of Fast Track. The winner will be announced at the Profit Track 100 virtual awards event in June.

Photo: Racelogic

<p>The post GNSS simulator company Racelogic named ‘One to Watch’ first appeared on GPS World.</p>

SPIRENT FEDERAL SYSTEMS

The GSS6450 RF record and playback system. (Photo: Spirent)

GSS9000, SimMNSA, CRPA test system, anechoic chamber testing, mid-range testing

Spirent Federal Systems provides PNT/GNSS test equipment that covers all applications, including research and development, integration/ verification, and production testing.

GSS9000. The GSS9000 Series Multi-Frequency, Multi-GNSS RF Constellation Simulator is Spirent’s most comprehensive simulation solution. It can simulate signals from all GNSS and regional navigation systems and has a recently-enhanced system iteration rate (SIR) of 2 kHz (0.5 ms), enabling higher dynamic simulations with more accuracy and fidelity. The GSS9000 supports restricted/classified signals, Alt RF, and other non-GNSS sensors. Users can evaluate the resilience of navigation systems to interference and spoofing attacks, and have the flexibility to reconfigure constellations, channels, and frequencies between test runs or test cases.

The GSS9000 Constellation Simulator. (Photo: Spirent)

SimMNSA. Spirent Federal has the first fully-approved MNSA M-code simulator. Authorized users of the GSS9000 series of simulators will be able to utilize the advanced capabilities of SimMNSA to create more robust solutions for their customers. SimMNSA has been granted security approval by the Global Positioning System Directorate.

CRPA Test System. Spirent’s Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) Test System generates both GNSS and interference signals. Users can control multiple antenna elements. Null-steering and space/ time adaptive CRPA testing are both supported by this comprehensive approach.

Anechoic Chamber Testing. Spirent’s GSS9790 Multi-Output, Multi-GNSS RF Constellation Wave-Front Simulator System is a development of the GSS9000. The GSS9790 provides the core element for GNSS applications that require a test system that can be used in both conducted (lab) and radiated (chamber) conditions.

Mid-Range Solutions. Spirent also offers solutions that cater to intermediate GPS/GNSS testing needs. The GSS7000 multi-constellation simulator provides an easy-to-use solution for GNSS testing that can grow with users’ requirements. The GSS6450 RF record and playback system enables repeated replay of a real-world GNSS/GPS test in the lab.

sales@spirentfederal.com
spirentfederal.com
801-785-1448

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CAST NAVIGATION

Photo: CAST Navigation

Wavefront simulation solutions

CAST-CRPA. The CAST-CRPA Simulation System produces a coherent wavefront of GPS RF signals to provide repeatable testing in the laboratory environment or anechoic chamber. The CAST CRPA system is configurable for any number of coherent outputs that users want.

With an intercard carrier-phase error of less than 1 millimeter, the CAST-CRPA Simulation System is extremely accurate.

The system generates a wavefront of GPS signals when its GPS RF generator cards are operated in a ganged configuration. Each generator card provides a set of GPS satellites coherent with the overall configuration. Several RF generator cards may be utilized together, ensuring phase coherence among the signal generator cards in each bank. The CRPA antenna, the antenna electronics and the GPS receiver can be tested as a unit with or without radiating signals.

CAST-CRPA features

• Generates single coherent wavefront of GPS signals
• 6-degrees-of-freedom motion generation capability
• Complete space vehicle constellation editing
• Post-mission processing
• Differential/relative navigation
• Antenna pattern modeling
• Waypoint navigation
• RAIM events
• Multipath modeling
• Spoofer simulation
• Satellite clock errors
• External trajectory input
• External ephemeris and almanac
• Several iono and tropo models
• Modifiable navigation message
• Modeled selective availability
• Time-tagged satellite events
• Directional jamming

castnav.com
sales@castnav.com
978-858-0130

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OROLIA

Skydel GSG-8 (Photo: Orolia)

Advanced simulators for both defense and OEM

Orolia advanced GNSS simulators offer a wide breadth and depth of simulation tools to test mission-critical positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) applications and scenarios. They are feature-rich and easy to use, providing a way to harden GPS/GNSS-based systems without the limitations of live-sky testing.

Skydel — Advanced Software-Defined Simulators

Skydel Simulation Engine. This flexible, high-performance simulator transmits GNSS digital signals in real time to many kinds of software-defined radios. Skydel uses graphics processing units (GPUs) to compute the digital GNSS signals of all simulated satellites, scaling from simple to complex use cases. Skydel simulates civil signals from global and regional navigation satellite systems, many kinds of GNSS receiver trajectories with high dynamics, and advanced jamming and spoofing. All Skydel models offer these features:

• Easy configuration with intuitive UI and automation
• Support for global constellations and frequencies
• Support for jamming, spoofing and repeating, including jamming waveforms
• Comprehensive API (Python, C#, C++, LabVIEW)
• Advanced signal customization and scenario creation
• Ability to integrate interference with no additional hardware
• 1000-Hz simulation iteration rate
• IQ file generation and playback
• Ability to record and export user interactions as Python script

GSG-8. This software-defined system GSG8 is a globally available hardware platform for aerospace and critical infrastructure applications. It will support future EU encrypted signals. The rack-mounted unit has the option of one to four RF outputs and is configurable.

BroadSim. Designed for military NAVWAR applications, the BroadSim software-defined simulator supports encrypted military codes (Y-code, M-AES and M-MNSA) and provides documentation and procedures for classified operations. BroadSim has two GPUs and four RF outputs. It runs on a custom Linux operating system, with RMF STIG support coming soon.

Skydel Anechoic. This simulator system for radiated over-the-air testing is designed for testing CRPA/multi-element antennas, antenna electronics and entire PNT systems in an anechoic chamber.

Skydel Wavefront. This GNSS simulator system for conducted wavefront testing is designed to test the jamming/spoofing resiliency of CRPA and multi-element antenna electronic systems, and for applications with high dynamics.

GSG 5/6 Scenario-Based Simulators. The GSG 5/6 enable testing of smart applications such as drones, the internet of things, connected cars and cellular. They provide a comprehensive set of pre-defined scenarios and the ability to create scenarios. They simulate all constellations and frequencies as well as movements and trajectories anywhere on or above Earth.

Application packages are available for real-time kinematic, eCall, high-velocity, jamming and sensors.

orolia.com
sales@orolia.com

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LABSAT

Photo: Racelogic

Labsat 3 wideband and satgen software

LabSat 3 Wideband. The LabSat 3 Wideband is a compact yet powerful multi-constellation and multi-frequency GNSS testing solution. The easy-to-use, one-touch record-and-replay function provides an efficient way to test and develop GNSS-based technology without the cost and limitations of live-sky signals.

It is lightweight and portable and makes it easy to collaborate with colleagues by sharing scenario files over the internet — making it a suitable testing partner for remote working. Additionally, the removeable solid-state drive (an SSD of up to 7 terabytes) and a two-hour runtime provided by an internal battery is ready for field testing in any environment.

LabSat 3 Wideband can record and replay up to three different channels at 56-MHz bandwidth across all major constellations and signals, including:

• GPS: L1/L2/L5
• Galileo: E1/E1a/E5a/E5b/E6
• GLONASS: L1/L2/L3
• BeiDou: B1/B2/B3
• NavIC: L5/S-band
• QZSS: L1/L2/L5
• L-band correction services including SBAS
• 2x CAN and 4x digital input channels tightly synchronized with GNSS data
• Future signal launches are also supported, including L2C, L5 and L1C

SatGen Simulation Software. SatGen software allows users to quickly create bespoke, accurate scenarios with their own time, location and trajectory that can be replayed via a LabSat GNSS simulator.

The latest version of SatGen can be used to create a single scenario containing all the upper and lower L-band signals for GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou and NavIC.

sales@labsat.co.uk
labsat.co.uk

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Syntony GNSS

Photo: Syntony GNSS

High-end GNSS simulation solutions for R&D, integration and product testing

Constellator. Syntony’s GNSS simulator Constellator supports all constellation signals available and provides a high level of service in different ranges. It covers, in a single unit, a wide spectrum of use cases from entry-level with L1C/A up to very demanding configurations such as multifrequency and up to 660 L1C/A-equivalent signals. Extensively used in aeronautics, space and defense industries, Constellator answers complex requirements:

• Standalone mode (on the ground and in space)
• Multi-frequencies
• All constellations and their signals, including BeiDou, Navic/IRNSS and QZSS
• Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) mode with zero effective latency and 1000-Hz update rate
• CRPA generation capability
• Capability to generate “Restricted Signals” through a dedicated interface, called PRN-Link

In the space industry, Constellator implements the advanced models (Earth gravity, drag, 3D ionospheric models, side lobes, etc.) needed to achieve accurate simulations for all kinds of orbits (from LEO to GEO and SSTO). Combined with other Syntony GNSS simulation products (interference generator, Echo recorder and player), Constellator can tackle challenging use cases such as testing of jamming, spoofing, multipath and multiple antennas. It is based on a software-defined radio, making it hardware-ready for future constellations, signals and codes. It is easily upgradeable and versatile.

GNSS Recorder and player. Echo is an ultra-high-fidelity GNSS record-and-playback solution that captures real-life signals and environments — for instance, from airplanes — and then replays them for R&D or production tests. Echo offers:

• 3 RF channels of 100-MHz bandwidth each (for the whole set of GNSS signals from all constellations)
• 16-bit resolution (I&Q)
• From seven to more than 1,000 hours of record/replay capabilities depending on the configuration

The Echo platform allows full 16 bits of I/Q recording at 100 Mhz for three channels, simultaneously. As such, it provides the highest achievable record/replay fidelity. Echo-R can also record complex and very long realistic scenarios from a simulator. Echo-P can replay them with very high fidelity for long-run or production tests.

Please contact Remy Thellier (based in San Francisco) for North America at 415.599.9230, or contact the EMEA Sales team at:
contact@syntony-gnss.com
syntony-gnss.com
+33.5.81.319.919

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Work Microwave

Xidus-648 (Photo: Work Microwave)

Xidus GNSS Simulator — adaptable, flexible, extensible

The advanced customization and configurability of Xidus enables users to perform rigorous and extensive testing of GNSS systems.

Test scenarios. Xidus meets all requirements regarding multi-GNSS, multi-frequency and multi-RF signal generation out of the box. Innovative Xidus signal extension and enhancement (SEE) technology allows users to integrate bespoke generation blocks into the signal generation path. In addition, Xidus’ advanced support capabilities allow remote support and updates, remote training and even remote scenario execution.

Easy hardware or software upgrades. Xidus has modular signal generation hardware that allows easy and robust field upgrades. New modules are automatically calibrated, allowing users to accomodate multiple concurrent navigation development projects.

Expert background. WORK Microwave has been designing and building GNSS simulators for more than 15 years. The Xidus hardware leverages WORK Microwave’s 35+ years of experience in the design and manufacturing of bespoke digital and analogue microwave products.

Xidus-Studio (Photo: Work Microwave)

Xidus-424 GNSS Simulator. The Xidus-424 has up to 128 LOS channels, 512 multipath channels and two RF outputs. It supports all GNSS frequencies and signals. It supports an update rate up to 100 Hz and has very wide dynamic power range configurability.

Xidus-648 GNSS Simulator. The Xidus-648 provides all the capabilities of the Xidus-424 plus additional features: up to 256 LOS channels, 1,024 multipath channels, four RF outputs and a 1000-Hz update rate.

Xidus-Studio client software. The software provides everything for testing GNSS systems: different vehicle models with 6DOF, multiple vehicle simulation, spoofing and meaconing, multiple TX antenna patterns, multiple RX antenna patterns, industry-standard error models and runtime distortions on individual channels. Xidus-Studio also allows the design of bespoke satellite orbits ranging from LEO to GEO. Available on Linux and Windows.

Xidus Series. Connect up to four Xidus units to produce a simulator capable of mega-constellation simulation, with precise phase synchronization across units.

work-microwave.com
xidus@work-microwave.com
+49 8024 6408 222

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OHB Digital Solutions

Photo: OHB

GIPSIE-RTX (GNSS Multisystem Performance Simulation Environment – Real Time Extension)

GIPSIE-RTX is a fully featured GNSS signal generator with real-time streaming functionality, including real-time control of the simulation environment. It consists of a high-quality signal simulator as the hardware platform and a flexible and powerful GNSS simulation environment.

The multi-system and multifrequency-capable GIPSIE-RTX simulates arbitrary satellite orbits using a sophisticated orbit integrator. It is able to model all error sources, delays and propagation effects. These include various models for satellite clocks, ionosphere and troposphere, multipath, signal power, antenna patterns and noise. In addition, multiple types of signal interference, like jamming and spoofing, can be defined. Customized navigation message formats and contents can be used to simulate future GNSS signal features.

Besides generating RF signals, GIPSIE-RTX is also capable of directly simulating digital signals, taking into account user-defined modeling of a radio-frequency front end. Comprehensive data logging of all intermediate results is available for detailed analyses.

GIPSIE-RTX provides a real-time input interface and thus supports hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, such as for automotive applications.

GIPSIE-RTX Features
GIPSIE-RTX is a new compact multi-channel high performance platform for complex and versatile GNSS testing. Features include:

• Highly reproducible scenarios
• Modeling of all error sources, delays and propagation effects
• Interference (jamming and spoofing) simulation
• HIL simulation
• Synchronization of multiple simulators for advanced testing (e.g., array antenna)
• Two separate RF outputs per device
• Supported GNSS signals:
  • GPS: L1 C/A, L2C, L5
  • Galileo: E1 B/C, E5a-I/Q, E5b-I/Q
  • GLONASS: G1 C/A, G2 C/A
  • BeiDou: B1, B2
  • NavIC: L5 SPS, S-Band SPS
  • QZSS: L1 C/A, L2C, L5
  • SBAS: L1 C/A
• Constellation update rate: up to 250 Hz
• Number of channels: up to 128

ohb-digital.at
info@ohb-digital.at
+43-316-890971-0

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Qascom

Photo: Qascom

QA707 cyber-security simulator

QA707 is the cutting edge solution for global threat GNSS awareness and management. It is a GNSS simulator specifically designed to test cyber-attacks and authentication, and includes the simulation of GNSS interference, deception, jamming, spoofing and advanced cyber-threats such as data and code level attacks.

The high flexibility in the creation of the scenarios and the definition of the type of attacker allow cyber-threat and vulnerability testing for several applications,These applications may include, for example, autonomous driving and vehicle tracking, aeronautics and high dynamics applications, space GNSS receivers and timing.

OSNMA support. The Galileo Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) simulation is an opportunity to test the new Galileo data protected service against a number of known vulnerabilities in GNSS applications. The OSNMA simulator is also available as a standalone tool, allowing the generation of OSNMA data that can be used with third party simulators.

PC-capable. QA707 runs on a standard PC. It is compatible with several third-party hardware RF up-converters, including National Instruments’ USRP. Additionally, it can support customer-specific hardware through the hardware API interface.

QA707 main features

• • Multi constellation (currently GPS L1, GALILEO E1, SBAS L1).
  • Galileo OSNMA
  • RF simulation, binary file dump, signal record and replay
  • Support to SDR platforms and open API for custom RF upconverters
  • Runtime streaming of scenario information over UDP (motion, channel data)
  • Data level cyber-attacks
  • Accurate spoofing signals control, trajectory spoofing, signal replay attacks
  • Narrow band, wide band, frequency modulated jamming
  • Integrity threats (on request): evil waveform, erroneous ephemerides, code/carrier divergence, low satellite signal power, excessive range acceleration
  • Built-in editing tools: Rinex editor, trajectory editor

sales@qascom.it
qascom.it

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Jackson Labs Technologies (JLT)

CLAW (Photo: Jackson Labs Technologies)

Miniature simulator and scenario generator

The 18-channel miniature full-constellation CLAW GPS Simulator is a fully self-contained, low size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) miniature GPS simulator. It is very popular in manufacturing environments as well as R&D applications that require consistent and repeatable local GNSS signals at low price points.

The CLAW simulator does not require external computers for processing and control — it works fully self-contained by simply applying power, and storing location/time/date data in internal non-volatile (NV) memory, or by storing complex vector data to simulate highly dynamic scenarios.

The CLAW also can be used to transcode NMEA or SCPI position/velocity/time (PVT) data into GPS RF signals. JLT offers an easy to use, highly configurable and cost-free SimCon Windows application program that is downloadable from the JLT website.

The SimCon application allows random scenario generation and is thus usable to simulate leap-second events, week 1023 rollover events, or any other GPS live-sky scenarios, including highly complex yet easy-to-create dynamic vector simulations.

For authorized U.S. government users, a version that does not have altitude and velocity limitations is popular for low-Earth-orbit (LEO) simulations. Multipath simulation allows use of the entire 18-channel simulator capability.

The unit can be field-upgraded with an easy to use in-field software upgrade feature. The CLAW is also very useful in GNSS receiver sensitivity testing for R&D or mass-production assembly lines as it allows accurate control of RF output power ranging from –100 dBm to less than –130 dBm with 0.1-dB resolution and typically better than 1-dB accuracy over the controllable power range.

The CLAW GPS Simulator also has a built-in RF signal generator with sweep, CW and random noise functions that are useful in simulating GNSS jamming scenarios, as well as GPS spoofing scenarios. The simulator comes in an FCC-certified metal desktop enclosure with numerous accessories.

For 2021, the CLAW firmware has been updated to allow live-sky almanac and ephemerides to be automatically uploaded from various externally connected GNSS receivers. This makes simulations using real-time live-sky constellations (such as used in simulating spoofing attacks) an easy task. A free firmware update is available from JLT.

sales@jackson-labs.com
jackson-labs.com
702-233-1334

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TeleOrbit GmbH

MGSE REC/REP 2.0 (Photo: ©Fraunhofer IIS)

Versatile GNSS test and simulation environment

The MGSE product family creates a versatile GNSS test and simulation environment that improves the development, qualification and certification process of GNSS receivers within development phases and for the validation and certification in end-to-end tests.

MGSE enables mobile and stationary interference monitoring, such as for protecting critical infrastructures (based on MGSE REC), and can be used for interference mitigation if combined with TeleOrbit’s GNSSA-6E (six-element antenna array) or its GNSSA-DCP (dual circularly polarized antenna).

With MGSE REC-REP 2.0 users can, among other tasks, record Galileo PRS signals in a real user environment and replay them for Galileo PRS receiver testing. It is also possible to replay simulated GNSS signals.

MGSE SIM-REP supports the development of software-defined radios/receivers (SDR) or specialized algorithms by creating a simulation environment that provides the possibility and flexibility to use synthetically generated GNSS data and recorded real-world samples — both exactly reproducible.
For jamming and spoofing test and evaluation, TeleOrbit offers a sophisticated solution based on the MGSE simulation, recording and replaying product family.

Technical background. The multi-band RF front-end (MGSE REC) receives the GNSS RF signals in different frequency bands simultaneously to obtain digital IF data, which can be used for GNSS multi-system signal analysis and comparison.

MGSE REC also includes a reception board to receive and process the NavIC S-band signal in addition to other L-band frequencies.

The MGSE Replay Unit (MGSE REP) includes a flexible multi-band RF replay device that can stream simulated and recorded raw IF data to a digital baseband output or to an analog RF signal.

MGSE REP simultaneously supports up to two independent RF channels and up to four GNSS signals, such as L1, E1, B1, G1.

Jürgen Seybold, CTO, jseybold@teleorbit.eu
teleorbit.eu/en/satnav/

<p>The post 2021 Simulator Buyers Guide first appeared on GPS World.</p>

CAST NAVIGATION

CAST-5000 GPS wavefront generator, CAST-8000

Photo: CAST Navigation

The CAST-5000 produces a coherent wavefront of GPS RF signals to provide repeatable testing in the laboratory environment or anechoic chamber. The basic system generates four independent, coherent simulations that reference a single point and is configurable to support up to eight elements for CRPA testing. With an intercard carrier-phase error of less than 1 millimeter, the CAST-5000 is extremely accurate.

The system generates a wavefront of GPS when its GPS RF generator cards are operated in a ganged configuration. Each generator card provides a set of GPS satellites coherent with the overall configuration. Several RF generator cards may be utilized together, ensuring phase coherence among the bank of signal generator cards. The CRPA antenna, antenna electronics and the GPS receiver can be tested as a unit with or without radiating signals.

The CAST-8000 is a new simulator that merges the CAST-5000 CRPA tester with a CAST-3000 EGI tester. The CAST-5000/8000 has the ability to be “ganged” together with additional CAST simulators to provide multiple vehicle and/or multiple antenna test configurations.

CAST-5000 features

• Generates single coherent wavefront of GPS
• 6-DOF motion generation capability
• Complete SV constellation editing
• Post-mission processing
• Differential/relative navigation
• Antenna pattern modeling
• Waypoint navigation
• RAIM events
• Multipath modeling
• Spoofer simulation
• Satellite clock errors
• External trajectory input
• External ephemeris and almanac
• Several iono and tropo models
• Modifiable navigation message
• Modeled selective availability
• Time-tagged satellite events
• Selectable host vehicle parameters
• Directional jamming

sales@castnav.com
www.castnav.com
978-858-0130

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JACKSON LABS TECHNOLOGIES (JLT)

Miniature simulator and scenario generator

Photo: Jackson Labs

The 18-channel miniature full-constellation CLAW GPS Simulator is a fully self-contained, low size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) miniature GPS simulator. It is very popular in manufacturing environments as well as R&D applications that require consistent and repeatable local GNSS signals at low price points.  The CLAW simulator does not require external computers for processing and control — it works fully self-contained by simply applying power, and storing location/time/date data in internal non-volatile (NV) memory, or by storing complex vector data to simulate highly dynamic scenarios. The CLAW also can be used to transcode NMEA or SCPI position/velocity/time (PVT) data into GPS RF signals. JLT offers an easy to use, highly configurable and cost-free SimCon Windows application program that is downloadable from the JLT website.

The SimCon application allows random scenario generation and is thus usable to simulate leap-second events, week 1023 rollover events, or any other GPS live-sky scenarios including highly complex yet easy-to-create dynamic vector simulations. For authorized U.S. government users, a version that does not have altitude and velocity limitations is popular for low-Earth-orbit (LEO) simulations. Multipath simulation allows use of the entire 18-channel simulator capability. The unit can be field-upgraded with an easy to use in-field software upgrade feature. The CLAW is also very useful in GNSS receiver sensitivity testing for R&D or mass-production assembly lines as it allows accurate control of RF output power ranging from –100 dBm to less than –130 dBm with 0.1-dB resolution and typically better than 1-dB accuracy over the controllable power range.

The CLAW GPS Simulator also has a built-in RF signal generator with sweep, CW and random noise functions that are useful in simulating GNSS jamming scenarios, as well as GPS spoofing scenarios. The simulator comes in an FCC-certified metal desktop enclosure with numerous accessories.

sales@jackson-labs.com
www.jackson-labs.com
(702) 233-1334

OROLIA

Essential and advanced series

The Orolia family of GNSS simulators offers a wide breadth and depth of tools for those responsible for mission-critical positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) applications. The simulation tools enable users to test a variety of scenarios, from simple to complex. Orolia’s simulators are feature-rich and easy to use, offering a way to harden GPS/GNSS-based systems without the limitations of testing from live-sky signals. Orolia’s approach allows users to buy only what they need today and upgrade later.

ESSENTIAL

Photo: Orolia

GSG 5/6. An essential scenario-based simulator used for testing a variety of smart applications such as drones, the internet of things (IoT), connected cars, cellular and more. GSG 5/6 offers ease-of-use with an out-of-the-box configuration and comprehensive set of pre-defined scenarios, plus the ability to create scenarios. It can simulate all constellations, all frequencies, and movements/trajectories anywhere on or above Earth. This enables a multitude of test solutions covering accuracies and sensitivities due to environmental conditions, technology factors and other events. Application packages are available for real-time kinematic (RTK), eCall, high-velocity, jamming and sensors.

ADVANCED

Skydel Software Engine. The software behind Orolia’s high-end GNSS simulators: GSG-8, BroadSim, BroadSim Anechoic and BroadSim Wavefront. All share the same software-defined benefits and interoperability. In addition to Orolia’s turn-key systems, Skydel can run on the user’s own commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware. It is suitable to test and validate GNSS systems for a variety of applications, with advanced signal customization and configurable outputs. Users can create advanced scenarios with multiple parameters and variables: antenna patterns, orbits, multipath, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and more. The easy-to-use API configures all aspects, available in Python, C#, C++ and LabVIEW. User interactions can be recorded and exported as executable Python script — a learning tool that drastically reduces the automation learning curve.

Photo: Orolia

GSG-8. An advanced software-defined GNSS simulator supporting multiple constellations, frequencies and hundreds of signals all-in-view. With a 1000-Hz iteration rate, high dynamics and real-time synchronization, GSG-8 delivers ultra-high performance and flexibility. It is designed for space trajectories, custom PNT signals, HIL and more. Advanced jamming and spoofing options allow users to create benign and threat scenarios required for critical applications. Complex objects such as Differential GNSS (RTK), multi-antenna vehicles, attitude measurements and sophisticated GNSS receivers can be tested. A comprehensive software development kit (SDK) allows users to incorporate encrypted or proprietary signals. Powered by the Skydel Simulation Engine.

Photo: Orolia

BroadSim. Available through Orolia Defense & Security, BroadSim was designed to meet the demand of NAVWAR testing. BroadSim supports high dynamics, advanced jamming and spoofing simulation tools, and encrypted military codes including Y-code, M-AES and M-MNSA. BroadSim uses a custom Linux operating system for security and better performance. BroadSim excels in NAVWAR applications due to its four independent RF outputs, a wide dynamic range with up to 0 dBm transmit power, and integrated jamming and spoofing scenario creation. BroadSim’s ease-of-use and functionality to configure multiple vehicles allows any user to seamlessly test the performance and vulnerability of their system without requiring a high level of expertise. Powered by the Skydel Simulation Engine.

Photo: Orolia

BroadSim Anechoic. Available through Orolia Defense & Security, BroadSim Anechoic enables users to accurately simulate over-the-air (OTA) GNSS environments in their anechoic chamber. Designed from the ground up for the user, by users, the system has 32 individual RF outputs enabling it to drive 16 dual-frequency antennas. The automation of antenna mapping, time delay and power loss calibration cuts set-up time from days to minutes. Easily verify signals with a built-in spectrum analyzer. The 48-dB transmit chain amplifier and 80-dB transmit chain dial attenuator allow for complete signal control and high dynamic range. Powered by the Skydel Simulation Engine.

Photo: Orolia

BroadSim Wavefront. Available through Orolia Defense & Security, BroadSim Wavefront enables fully featured testing of controlled reception pattern antenna (CRPA) and multi-element antenna electronic systems. Scaled upon the same easy-to-use software-defined platform and interface, it supports 4-16 antenna elements with integrated high dynamics and a phase coherence of 1° σ. Users can simultaneously simulate multiple spoofers, jammers, repeaters and alternate PNT sensors with just a few clicks. The Wavefront makes no compromise between the number of signals and the iteration rate, which remains at 1,000 Hz. It is designed to help engineers deliver results and make decisions, and can be calibrated in a matter of minutes. Powered by the Skydel Simulation Engine.

www.orolia.com
sales@orolia.com
+1-585-321-5800

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LABSAT

LabSat 3 Wideband and Satgen Software

LabSat 3 Wideband

Photo: Labsat

The LabSat 3 Wideband is a compact yet powerful multi-constellation and multi-frequency GNSS testing solution.

The easy-to-use, one-touch record and replay function provides an efficient way to test and develop GNSS-based technology without the cost and limitations of live-sky signals.

With simple-to-install upgrade options available, customers can invest with the confidence that its capabilities can grow alongside their future requirements.

LabSat 3 Wideband can record and replay up to three different channels at 56-MHz bandwidth across all major constellations and signals including:

• GPS: L1/L2/L5
• GLONASS: L1/L2/L3
• BeiDou: B1/B2/B3
• QZSS: L1/L2/L5
• Galileo: E1/E1a/E5a/E5b/E6
• L-band correction services including SBAS and IRNSS
• 2x CAN, RS232 and digital inputs tightly synchronized with GNSS data
• Future signal launches are also supported, including L2C, L5 and L1C

LabSat 3 Wideband has a removable SSD (up to 7TB) and a two-hour runtime provided by an internal battery. It is lightweight and portable, making it ideal for field testing in any environment.

SatGen Signal Simulation Software

SatGen software allows users to quickly create bespoke, accurate scenarios with their own time, location and trajectory, that can be replayed via a LabSat GNSS Simulator.

The latest version of SatGen can be used to create a single scenario containing all the upper and lower L-Band signals for GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou.

Mark Sampson, LabSat Product Manager
labsat@racelogic.co.uk
www.labsat.co.uk

ROHDE & SCHWARZ

R&S SMW200A and R&S SMBV100B simulators

Photo: Rohde & Schwarz

Precision-sensitive applications such as autonomous driving, control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), or positioning of aircraft during landing procedures in coordination with ground-based augmentation systems (GBAS) require that modern GNSS receivers undergo detailed tests before implementation.

Rohde & Schwarz signal generators like the R&S SMW200A and the R&S SMBV100B offer a unique approach to generating complex and highly realistic scenarios for testing of GNSS receivers that are able to work with diverse navigational systems such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS/SBAS signals. Both simulators can emulate them all for testing.

R&S SMW200A. The R&S SMW200A GNSS simulator (pictured above) can be used to produce complex interference scenarios with multiple interferers — all generated within the instrument itself. It can emulate up to 144 GNSS channels and can be equipped with up to four RF outputs. With its ability to simulate multi-constellation, multi-frequency, multi-antenna and multi-vehicle scenarios, the R&S SMW200A is able to cover a variety of high-end GNSS applications.

R&S SMBV100B. The R&S SMBV100B supports the same navigational systems, with access to 60 GNSS channels and one RF output, with the same ability to configure realistic scenarios including obscuration, multipath and atmospheric effects, as well as the specific characteristics of the antenna and the simulated vehicle. An integrated noise and CW interference generator also can be added.

Since the devices do not require an external PC for scenario configuration, all the tests can be created quickly through the user-friendly GUI. Due to all-encompassing instrument options available, both simulators can be set up to fit unique user requirements.

For testing GNSS receivers under controlled and repeatable conditions, the R&S SMW200A and the R&S SMBV100B provide extensive and cost-effective solutions. The platforms are ready to adapt to future requirements and testing of newly implemented GNSS signals.

customersupport@rohde-schwarz.com
www.rohde-schwarz.com
+49 89 4129 12345

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SPIRENT FEDERAL SYSTEMS

GSS9000, SimMNSA, CRPA test system, anechoic chamber testing, mid-range testing

Photo: Spirent Federal

Spirent Federal provides GPS/GNSS test equipment that covers all applications, including research and development, integration/verification and production testing.

GSS9000. The enhanced GSS9000 Multi-Frequency, Multi-GNSS RF Constellation Simulator is Spirent’s most comprehensive simulation solution. It can simulate signals from all GNSS and regional navigation systems and has a system iteration rate (SIR) of 1000 Hz (1 ms), enabling higher dynamic simulations with more accuracy and fidelity. The GSS9000 supports restricted/classified signals. Users can evaluate the resilience of navigation systems to interference and spoofing attacks, and have the flexibility to reconfigure constellations, channels, and frequencies between test runs or test cases.

SimMNSA. The first fully approved MNSA M-code simulator. Authorized users of the GSS9000 series of simulators will be able to utilize the advanced capabilities of SimMNSA to create more robust solutions for their customers. SimMNSA has been granted Security Approval by the Global Positioning System Directorate.

CRPA Test System. Spirent’s Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) Test System generates both GNSS and interference signals. Users can control multiple antenna elements. Null-steering and space/time adaptive CRPA testing are both supported by this comprehensive approach.

Anechoic Chamber Testing. Spirent’s GSS9790 Multi-Output, Multi-GNSS RF Constellation Wave-Front Simulator System is a development of the GSS9000. The GSS9790 is a unique solution providing the core element for GNSS applications that require a test system that can be used in both conducted (lab) and radiated (chamber) conditions.

Mid-Range Solutions. Spirent also offers solutions that cater to intermediate GPS/GNSS testing needs. The GSS7000 multi-constellation simulator provides an easy-to-use solution for GNSS testing that can grow with users’ requirements. The GSS6450 RF record and playback system enables replay of a real-world GNSS/GPS test repeatedly in the lab.

sales@spirentfederal.com
www.spirentfederal.com
801-785-1448

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SYNTONY GNSS

High-end GNSS simulation solutions for R&D, integration and production testing

Photo: Syntony GNSS

Constellator. Syntony’s GNSS simulator Constellator supports all constellation signals available and provides a high level of service in different ranges. It covers, in a single unit, a wide spectrum of use cases from entry-level with L1C/A up to very demanding configurations such as multi-frequencies and 400 channels management.

Extensively used in aeronautics, space and defense industries, Constellator answers complex requirements:

• Standalone mode (on the ground and in space)
• Multi-frequencies
• All constellations and their signals, including NavIC/IRNSS
• Hardware in-the-loop (HIL) mode with zero-effective latency and 1000-Hz update rate
• All typical synchronization interfaces

Particularly in the space industry, Constellator implements the advanced models (Earth gravity, drag, 3D ionospheric models, side lobes, etc.) needed to achieve accurate simulations for all kinds of orbits (from LEO to GEO and SSTO). Combined with other Syntony GNSS simulation products (interference generator, Recorder & Player Echo, GBAS simulator, etc.), Constellator can be used to tackle challenging use cases such as jamming, spoofing, multipath, and multiple antennas testing. Constellator is based on a software-defined radio (SDR), making it hardware-ready for future constellations, signals and codes. It is easily upgradeable and versatile.

GNSS Recorder & Player. Syntony’s Echo is an ultra-high-fidelity GNSS recording and playback solution. It is designed to capture real-life signals and environments, for instance from airplanes, and then replayed for R&D or production tests. Echo offers:

• 3 RF channels of 100-MHz bandwidth each (for the whole set of GNSS signals from all constellations)
• 16-bit resolution (I&Q)
• from 7 to more than 1,000 hours of record/replay capabilities depending on configuration

Echo-R can also record complex and very long realistic scenarios from a simulator; Echo-P can replay them with very high fidelity for long-run or production tests. Please ask Chief Sales Officer Francois Goudenove for distributor contacts in the U.S., Europe, India, China, South Korea and Japan.

François Goudenove, Chief Sales Officer
francois.goudenove@syntony-gnss.com
www.syntony-gnss.com
+33.5.81.319.919

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<p>The post 2020 Simulator Buyers Guide first appeared on GPS World.</p>