Tag: hardware-in-the-loop

Orolia’s new GNSS simulator GSG-7 packed with features
GSG-7 delivers the highest standard of GNSS signal testing in a cost-effective, easy-to-use, turnkey form factor supporting navigation and timing systems

Photo: Orolia

Orolia has released the GSG-7, its latest GNSS signal testing solution.

Orolia made the announcement at the ION GNSS+ conference, taking place this week in Denver.

Offered through the Orolia family of Skydel-based simulators, the GSG-7 features a small form factor, an internal RF combiner, high-end performance with a 1,000-Hz simulation iteration rate, real-time synchronization, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) integration, powerful automation, and multi-constellation and multi-frequency simulations.

“The GSG-7 is redefining the essential and high capabilities in GNSS simulation with its ease of use, advanced simulation capabilities, reduced size, and competitive price,” said Lisa Perdue, simulation product line director. “Leveraging the powerful Skydel software and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware, GSG-7 can accommodate almost any configuration to conduct system testing and simulation. The use of SDRs [software-defined receivers] means that maintenance and customization are not only easier, but more cost-effective than other options on the market.”

Powered by Orolia’s Skydel simulation engine, the GSG-7 can be programmed to simulate operations with all current GNSS signals, as well as future ones. Skydel’s architecture makes the GSG-7 future-proof by allowing new, incoming signals and updates to be implemented through software updates.

The GSG-7 simulator is suitable for development and integration projects that require high performance, all-in-view satellite signals, and an increased number of GNSS constellations.

“Capable of handling complex simulation scenarios, the GSG-7 has a simple, yet powerful application program interface (API) ensuring easy automation and integration into your test environment,” Perdue added. “Users can also benefit from advanced HIL capabilities that include zero-effective latency and built-in performance monitoring tools.”

GSG-7 Webinar

Orolia will host a product webinar on Oct. 6 to discuss the new GSG-7 in great detail. Topics will include:
- What is the architectural difference?
- What are the applications?
- What are the use cases?
- What resources are available to users?
Register here.
September 19, 2022
Orolia releases Skydel GNSS simulation software upgrade

Skydel 22.5 features advanced hardware-in-the-loop testing

Orolia has released Skydel 22.5, a significant software upgrade to its Skydel simulation product line that features advanced hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing solutions providing very low to zero effective latency.

The enhanced visualization tools can monitor internal latency through real-time curves showing when the data is generated and sent to the RF signal. Users can also review the transmission of HIL packets for optimizing the entire network’s latency, checking its stability (jitter), and that data is available and used at the right time in Skydel.

HIL testing is an essential step in the verification process of the model-based design (MBD) approach because it involves all the hardware and software that will be used operationally. HIL verification can test a standalone device-under-test (DUT) or, more generally, an entire complex system consisting of multiple DUTs in both open- and closed-loop architectures.

“The vast majority of problems encountered by engineers on HIL systems are related to poor control of the latency of the entire simulation chain, as they are insufficiently accessible, transparent and controlled on the competing systems,” said Pierre-Marie Le Veel, principal system architect and product manager for GNSS simulation. “Thanks to these tools, our high-end performance and well-known intuitive automation, Skydel dramatically reduces the implementation time of a HIL system (which can be very significant) and, therefore, the project’s overall cost.”

Photo: Orolia

In addition to these tools, Skydel implements modern extrapolation algorithms that achieve zero effective latency. These algorithms make it possible to keep position errors negligible, even for equipment with very high dynamics used in national defense applications such as missiles, rockets and guided shells.

“These advanced HIL algorithms and tools are available – and with the same performance – on our Wavefront simulation systems to test controlled reception pattern antenna (CRPA) systems,” Le Veel added.

Additional constellations, signal types and options such as real-time kinematic (RTK) and multi-instance are available along with dedicated bundled simulation starter packages for automotive.

The upgrade is available at no additional cost for existing users operating Skydel 22.5. Application notes, support documents and tutorials are available online.

June 29, 2022
Orolia GNSS simulators now support ultra-low latency of 5 ms

Latest advancement from Skydel uses software-defined advantages to deliver real-time performance

The Skydel Real-Time Performance graphs illustrate the software-defined engine’s low latency during a GNSS simulation. (Screenshot: Orolia)

Orolia has announced the launch of its Real-Time Performance capability, which achieves an ultra-low latency of five milliseconds. The feature will be standard on all Skydel-powered GNSS simulators.

Skydel is a software-defined simulation engine that powers Orolia’s advanced GNSS simulators including its BroadSim (available via Orolia Defense & Security) and GSG product lines.

“Skydel is known by users for its intuitive nature and ability to be quickly redeployed for a variety of projects,” said Tim Erbes, director of engineering for Orolia Defense & Security. “Delivering Real-Time Performance with latency as low as five milliseconds further shows that Orolia is a market leader empowering our customers by exceeding their expectations.”

Skydel’s software-defined architecture is designed to meet the demanding GNSS simulation testing requirements in the automotive, military, space and other high-tech industries. Skydel also supports hardware-in-the-loop simulations without sacrificing ultra-low latency and high-end performance.

The user interface has a sophisticated dashboard showing Real-Time Performance graphs. The tool enables users to grade the simulator’s performance, interpret data, diagnose inefficiencies, and optimize scenarios on the fly. In a video tutorial, Orolia demonstrates how the simulation engine processes data and how easy it is to read the graphs through its visualization and precise indications. As the system reaches its limits, it remains stable and fully operational, preserving the integrity of the simulation.

Erbes said the Real-Time Performance graphs not only instill confidence in the simulator, but also allow for better integration in the testbed.

“For example, instead of just hoping their hardware-in-the-loop configuration is working, users can view the real-time data and see that low latency is being maintained,” he said. “This feature provides enhanced visibility not only into the performance of the simulation, but also into the reliability of the hardware-in-the-loop integration, resulting in a more robust solution. This is critical when generating complex environments with high dynamics, jamming, spoofing, repeating, and alternative PNT sensors.”

June 21, 2021
Spirent doubles update rate of flagship GNSS simulator

Photo: Spirent

Spirent Communications plc has added premium enhancements to its GSS9000 Series of GNSS constellation simulators.

Among the enhancements, a doubling of the update rate means the GSS9000 series now offers the ability to recreate operations more precisely and realistically, reducing uncertainty in positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) testing.

The latest developments provide the GSS9000 series with the ability to run simulations at a software and hardware update rate of up to 2 kHz, improving accuracy of the simulated trajectory without compromising performance. This is of particular benefit to high-dynamics applications, such as space missions and hypersonic vehicles. The increased update rate also delivers lower latency for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, further reinforcing the GSS9000’s position as the industry’s most accurate and realistic test instrument.

“Our dedicated hardware and powerful software solutions are built specifically with PNT test in mind — to improve accuracy, increase flexibility and provide high-performing systems to meet customer needs,” said Adam Price, Spirent director of PNT simulation. “These latest enhancements to the GSS9000 continue to raise the bar for highly flexible and scalable solutions that enable our customers to stay ahead of their competition.”

Other enhancements to the GSS9000 Series include:

Extended Scenario Duration. In a simulation environment, where control and repeatability are key for a realistic representation of the mission, reducing the number of user inputs is essential. The new update will extend the available scenario duration to 65 days, using the same initial conditions for the simulation throughout the duration of testing to deliver uninterrupted high-performance simulation for longer.

Enhanced Embedded Interference Capabilities. To provide greater power and flexibility in interference testing, Spirent has improved support for interference testing on wide spectrum signals, increased bandwidth resolution and repetition rates, and added variable bandwidth control on additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN).

“Spirent’s leadership in GNSS testing comes from the combination of our unrivalled heritage and deep understanding of the PNT market, alongside our continuing commitment to improving test capabilities for customers,” said Ricardo Verdeguer Moreno, product line manager for high-end applications. “By working closely with customers, we are able to better understand the challenges they face, and these latest enhancements to the GSS9000 series demonstrate how we are continuing to help customers reduce uncertainty by providing more accurate operations, without impacting system performance.”

The enhancements to the Spirent GSS9000 series will be available to new and existing customers at the beginning of the second quarter of this year. For more information, visit the GSS9000 Series product page. U.S. government and prime contractors should contact Spirent Federal for details.

March 16, 2021