GPS World

Tag: MNSA

  • Realism in chamber-based CRPA testing

    Realism in chamber-based CRPA testing

    Spirent Federal Systems, a PNT simulation company, offers its government customers and contractors a unique solution for anechoic-chamber-based CRPA testing: a patented “zoned chamber” approach using multi-output, multi-constellation GNSS signal simulators to emulate the movement of satellites in orbit.

    To address the limits of a standard anechoic chamber, Spirent has created independent zones configured to represent the real-world sky view, using genuine constellations and improved satellite azimuth and elevation arrival angles. Test scenarios can be multi-constellation and multi-frequency with customizable time, date and duration — now lasting hours instead of minutes.

    Because scenarios are valid for longer time periods without sacrificing realism, the zoned chamber is effective for validating all aspects of the CRPA system including beamforming, null steering and space-frequency adaptive processing/space-time adaptive processing (SFAP/STAP). CRPA systems with inertial sensors can be tested with static and dynamic scenarios using a positioner within the chamber.

    Additionally, to account for multipath and signal obscuration, Spirent has integrated a 3D environment modeling tool which generates all the variables of a multipath-rich environment in real time, including ground reflection. Interference sources such as jammers and spoofers can be added anywhere in the chamber and concurrently simulated with the GNSS signals. Authorized users can also test classified RF signals such as MNSA M-code and Y-code.

    “Spirent Federal’s goal is to get new technologies to U.S. warfighters at a speed that outpaces near-peer threats,” said Jeff Martin, vice president of Sales. “The realism of our patented zoned chamber allows advanced CRPA systems to be deployed faster with confidence they will perform in GPS-contested environments.”

    Illustration of a simulated test environment incorporating GNSS, multipath and jamming in a Spirent zoned chamber. (Image: Spirent Federal)
    Illustration of a simulated test environment incorporating GNSS, multipath and jamming in a Spirent zoned chamber. (Image: Spirent Federal)
  • Orolia presents software-defined GNSS simulator with MNSA

    Orolia presents software-defined GNSS simulator with MNSA

    Photo: Orolia
    Photo: Orolia

    Orolia Defense & Security has been granted security approval by SMC Production Corps. for BroadSim MNSA (modernized Navstar security algorithm).

    The company delivered its first batch of MNSA M-Code to multiple customers in late August. BroadSim MNSA joins P(Y)-Code and AES M-Code as another GPS encrypted signal that Orolia Defense & Security supports, the company said.

    Thought, skill, and patience went into developing this solution,” said Tyler Hohman, director of products at Orolia. “Not only have we taken an innovative approach to ensuring the security of this technology, our implementation was designed with ease of use being top-of-mind — from procurement, to delivery, to installation, to testing — so our customers can spend more time supporting their mission and less time making their simulator work.”

    According to Orolia, BroadSim is a proven and trusted solution among government, Department of Defense and military customers with more than 100 systems fielded. BroadSim was recently selected by the U.S. military to support diverse testing of military GPS receivers, the company added.

    BroadSim MNSA users receive a step-by-step guide allowing them to effortlessly set-up and generate MNSA in minutes and quickly downgrade the system on a moment’s notice, Orolia said.

    The capability is currently available as a software upgrade to current BroadSim users or as a purchase alongside Orolia’s BroadSim hardware platform.

    Orolia Defense & Security, which operates as a proxy-regulated company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Orolia, provides resilient PNT solutions to U.S. government agencies, defense organizations and their contractors.

  • CAST Navigation granted MNSA security approval

    CAST Navigation granted MNSA security approval

    Photo: CAST Navigation
    Photo: CAST Navigation

    CAST Navigation LLC has developed the capability to support development and implementation of the Modernized Navstar Security Algorithm (MNSA). The U.S. Department of Defense granted in January CAST MNSA security approval, enabling its simulators to test M-code.

    The new software will support M-code using the classified security algorithm. M-code is an updated GPS military signal that is part of the modernization of the current GPS constellation.

    The CAST-MNSA is a significant addition to CAST Navigation’s suite of classified signal capabilities and is available on all of the company’s simulators. The feature will be instrumental in the effort toincorporate MNSA capability into GPS receivers. CAST provides development, integration and testing life-cycle support for the next generation of navigation systems.

    “Our GNSS/INS simulators and test equipment are critical tools used to validate and verify the performance of navigation systems, and this feature ensures that our customers can keep pace with advances in technology and capability,” said Susan Gove, president and CEO of CAST Navigation.

    “The classified product feature continues our 38-year history of innovation as anindustry leader whose products are critical to the support of numerous government, military, prime contractors and U.S. Department of Defense programs,” Gove said.

  • Spirent Federal’s SimMNSA granted security approval by GPS Directorate

    Spirent Federal’s SimMNSA granted security approval by GPS Directorate

    Spirent Federal Systems, provider of GPS/GNSS test equipment, has announced that its new M-code solution, SimMNSA, has been granted security approval by the Global Positioning System Directorate.

    Spirent Federal is the first company to provide such a solution for simulating classified GPS signals, and is currently taking orders, the company said.

    The GSS9000 simulator.(Photo: Spirent)
    The GSS9000 simulator. (Photo: Spirent)

    In 2017, Spirent Federal Systems partnered with Rockwell Collins to develop new software that will use the Modernized Navstar Security Algorithm (MNSA). This new approach of M-code simulation adds to Spirent Federal’s portfolio of classified signal simulation solutions, and will be available to authorized users of the GSS9000 series simulators.

    “With the increased focus on M-code by the GPS Directorate, we are pleased that our team has paved the way in the development of SimMNSA,” said Ellen Hall, CEO of Spirent Federal Systems. “It was a great challenge to get to this point, but we are excited about what we have accomplished.”

    The new test solution continues Spirent Federal Systems history of innovation and being first to market with M-code simulation software, the company said. Spirent’s GPS/GNSS solutions have supported numerous government, military and U.S. Department of Defense programs for more than 30 years.

  • Talen-X developing Modernized Navstar Security Algorithm

    Talen-X developing Modernized Navstar Security Algorithm

    Image: Talen-X
    Image: Talen-X

    For several months, Talen-X engineers have been working with the proper channels to develop MNSA (Modernized Navstar Security Algorithm). Talen-X is designing the implementation of MNSA for its flagship products: BroadSim and BroadSim Anechoic.

    BroadSim is a software-defined GNSS simulator made to accomodate engineers who test systems requiring encrypted signals, jamming and spoofing. According to the company, BroadSim Anechoic leverages the same software-defined capabilities, scaled to enable powerful anechoic chamber simulations.

    Encrypted signal simulation is being used to support many military testing applications, both in the lab and in the field. BroadSim can simulate many signals including the legacy GPS Y-Code and the modernized GPS Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) M-Code, the company said.

    Other companies use costly and outdated field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to upgrade their systems. With Talen-X, users can opt for a simple license upgrade to enable the new GNSS signals to include GPS AES M-Code and eventually MNSA on their BroadSim device.

    With the addition of MNSA, engineers testing capabilities will reach the closest they’ve ever been to simulating real-world scenarios, ensuring complete confidence in the accuracy and resiliency of the test unit.

  • Spirent Federal developing MNSA-capable simulators

    Spirent Federal Systems, a provider of GPS and GNSS simulators, has begun developing MNSA-capable GNSS simulators for the Modernized Navstar Security Algorithm.

    Spirent Federal is developing software that will support M-code using MNSA. M-code is an updated GPS military signal that is being rolled out as part of the modernization of the current GPS constellation.

    GPS modernization began in 2000 when the GPS Selective Availability feature was set to zero. Since that time, the U.S. Air Force has been working on newer generation satellites that will transmit new civilian and military signals.

    Until now, AES and SDS have been the only methods authorized to be used within a GNSS simulator to produce M-code.

    Spirent Federal Systems has been a provider of AES M-code and SDS M-code capable simulators for many years, but as the long awaited MNSA M-code signals become available, Spirent Federal Systems will be making this option available to authorized users on the GSS9000 series simulator.