COMPREHENSIVE TEST CAPABILITIES FOR SPACE-BASED GNSS APPLICATIONS

Spirent’s GPS and GNSS test systems offer special features for space-borne receivers including special atmosphere models and the ability to orbit beyond the GPS satellite orbits. All this is modeled faithfully in Spirent systems.

Many space programs have come to rely on GPS as a key navigation system component for accurate positioning in space and for attitude determination. Establishing performance prior to launch is absolutely critical to avoid costly mistakes; trial and error testing is simply not an option. It is therefore essential to incorporate specify trustworthy and verified simulation tools when designing, deploying or using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

Spirent has established its high performance test systems as the product of choice for many of the worlds leading space agencies and space related companies when simulating the performance of space based GNSS (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo systems). Spirent Galileo simulators are widely recognised, and have been used as a test standard for demanding projects such as the implementation, in-orbit validation and verification of the ground mission segment and test user segment receivers of the Galileo system.

Spirent systems include facilities to cater to the special needs of space-based receiver testing, including:

• Full account for the double atmosphere effect of signals passing through the atmosphere twice from GPS satellites on the far side of the Earth
• Spacecraft motion models
• Ability to use customer own trajectory data, including in real-time

Spirent GNSS simulators are used by space agencies across the world. Full mission testing is completed on the GNSS simulator to ensure integrity and accuracy under a variety of challenging conditions. Spirent GNSS systems are also deployed as an element of advanced space mission simulators, utilising the remote control and data streaming capabilities of the Spirent GNSS simulator.

SPIRENT'S VALUE FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS

Our systems include the ability to simulate the effects of moving through the earth’s atmosphere and to simulate orbital motion. In addition, Spirent offers space vehicle models, realistic satellite transmit antenna patterns and even take account of signals from beyond the earth passing through the earths atmosphere layers.

• Special features for space-based GNSS receivers
• Motion and orbit models using Spirent tools or customer data
• Long scenario durations possible to enable whole-of-mission planning
• Motion beyond the MEO orbits fully modelled as standard