WORK Microwave demonstrated its Xidus GNSS Simulator at the ION GNSS+ 2022 conference, which took place last week in Denver.
The Xidus GNSS simulator provides high-fidelity, reliable RF signals with automated calibration, making it suitable for validating the performance of GNSS receivers for a wide range of applications, including spacecraft, aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, digitalized agriculture, autonomous driving, and military drones and vehicles.
The Xidus GNSS simulator enables users to perform rigorous and extensive testing of GNSS systems. Through advanced customization and configurable capabilities, Xidus provides pure, perfectly synchronized and reliable benchmark signals distributed over one or many RF outputs. The wide, dynamic power range is a key differentiator, allowing users to perform real tests without attenuation artifacts. With the Xidus system, users can easily and effectively generate long-term, complex and reproducible yet variable scenarios at higher update rates without leaving the laboratory.
Xidus simulates multi-constellation, multi-frequency and multi-RF signals out of the box — for any position on Earth and in space. The simulator includes APIs and remote control for flexible system integration and automated testing. Modular signal-generation hardware allows simple plug-and-play module insertion, enabling easy and robust field upgrades whenever necessary, the company said.
WORK Microwave’s Xidus GNSS simulator series includes:
Xidus-Studio Software — This powerful and intuitive graphical user interface for the Xidus GNSS simulator simplifies the configuration of any scenario, providing access to a wide variety of parameters: different vehicle models with 6DOF, multiple vehicle simulation, spoofing and meaconing, multiple TX antenna patterns, multiple RX antenna patterns, industry standard error models, runtime distortions on individual channels, and more. Xidus-Studio also allows the design of bespoke satellite orbits ranging from LEO to GEO. The software runs on both Windows and Linux platforms.
Xidus-424 GNSS simulator — Offering a compact chassis with two RF outputs, it runs any scenario over multi-constellation/frequency even with the entry configuration. This chassis supports up to 128 LOS channels and 512 multipaths that can be seamlessly distributed over the two RF outputs.
Xidus-648 GNSS simulator — This is a bigger chassis designed to support the most demanding scenarios, up to 256 LOS channels and 1,024 multipaths, dispatched seamlessly over four RF outputs. The chassis can easily be cascaded if needed. The tool is suitable for test campaigns on receivers with multiple antennas.
In our 11th annual Simulator Buyers Guide, we feature simulator tools, devices and software from 11 prominent companies that aid GNSS receiver manufacturers in product design.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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
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.
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
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.
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.
As a new member of the DIFI Consortium, WORK Microwave will help advance the digitization of satellite communication ground technologies
WORK Microwave, a leading European manufacturer of advanced satellite communications equipment, today announced that it has joined the Digital Intermediate Frequency Interoperability (DIFI) Consortium, an independent space-industry group that formed to advance interoperability in satellite and ground-system networks.
As a new member of DIFI Consortium, WORK Microwave joins a growing roster of leading organizations in the space industry committed to bringing innovation to the digital transformation of space, satellite and related technologies.
“With the new space boom and LEO constellations emerging, digitization of the ground segment plays a key role in scalability and sustainability,” said Jörg Rockstroh, director of business development and digital products at WORK Microwave. “Being a prime supplier of satellite communications equipment, WORK Microwave actively supports standardization and other industry-wide efforts to simplify the ecosystem. Joining the DIFI Consortium is an excellent opportunity to help shape the future digitization of the satellite communication ground segment.”
WORK Microwave is an early adopter of new technologies, including digital signal processing, modem infrastructures, optical communication and Q-/V-band equipment. As a long-term contributor to industry standardization, the company has a history of helping advance satellite communication ground technology.
“The DIFI Consortium’s goal is to provide a simple, open, interoperable digital IF/RF standard that replaces the natural interoperability of analog IF signals and helps prevent vendor lock-in,” said Stuart Daughtridge, chair of DIFI Consortium. “We welcome WORK Microwave to the group and look forward to seeing how they will contribute to moving interoperability forward across space networks.”
In our 10th annual Simulator Buyers Guide, we feature simulator tools, devices and software from 10 prominent companies that aid GNSS receiver manufacturers in product design.
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.
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
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.
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.
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: [email protected] syntony-gnss.com
+33.5.81.319.919
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
The NavX-NCS GNSS multi-frequency simulator now supports China’s BeiDou-2 navigation satellite system. BeiDou support is a key enhancement in software update V.1.9 for the NavX-NCS GNSS multi-frequency simulator product line, by IFEN andWORK Microwave.
Leveraging new features and functionalities, users have the flexibility to support a wide range of constellations, frequencies, and channels for research and development of GNSS safety and professional applications, as well as system integration and production testing of mass-market applications, such as automotive satellite navigation, mobile-phone applications, chipsets, and handheld personal navigation devices, the companies said.
By enabling real-time simulation of second-generation BeiDou satellite signals, also referred to as BeiDou-2, NavX-NCS expands a user’s GNSS signal capability beyond GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and SBAS constellations.
“Through a simple software update, NavX-NCS customers can automatically generate signal capabilities for phase two of the BeiDou constellation,” said Dr. Günter Heinrichs, head of customer applications, IFEN GmbH. “Adding BeiDou-2 support to our NavX-NCS simulator comes at the perfect time given the recent release of the BeiDou-2 ICD specification, which outlines interface control requirements for BeiDou-2 B1 satellite signals within the B1 frequency band.”
A powerful new multi-user functionality enables the simulation of up to four different users, or one user with up to four antennas, in different locations simultaneously, IFEN said. Possible use scenarios include simulating a static user such as a reference station at the same time as a roving user, or simulating multiple docking maneuvers on an oil rig. In addition, the NavX-NCS GNSS simulators now include a new 6DOF functionality that makes it possible to simulate six degrees of freedom (three dimensions of space plus yaw, pitch, and roll). This allows even more true-to-life simulations of ships, airplanes, and cars. A new monitoring widget makes it easier to monitor the current state of simulation.
Optimized to perform advanced lever arm calculations, the NavX-NCS GNSS simulators ensure accurate navigation for users. In simulation environments where the antenna is not located in the center of the moving object, such as the external of an airplane wing, lever arm calculations compensate for the fact that acceleration and GPS measurements are not made at the same point. By calculating the lever arm measurement between the PAR antenna and GPS position reference for every epoch of observation, this new feature guarantees that the most accurate signal simulation is achieved.
The NavX-NCS GNSS simulators are available in Professional and Essential versions, both now optionally Export License-Free (LF), speeding up the approval process and delivery time to users abroad. With the Export LF version, users can now limit the simulated user velocity of their simulator equipment to 600 meters per second, eliminating the need for an export license. If an export license should be applied for and be granted later on, it is also upgradeable to a full version meaning the simulation of higher user velocities will be available.
All NavX-NCS GNSS simulators feature up to nine L-band frequencies and 108 channels, offering users more than twice the number of channels compared with standard GNSS simulators. The platform includes a two-year maintenance contract, the broadest range of frequencies and satellite navigation systems per chassis, as well as the flexibility for users to easily install software updates when they become available.
