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TestDrive GNSS for Chip Vendor Selection

Selecting the right GNSS chipset for a new consumer device is critical to its performance and usability, but manual testing is time-consuming, expensive and error-prone.

TestDrive GNSS Chip Vendor SelectionDownload this Application Note to discover how you can automate GNSS chipset testing with Spirent TestDrive-GNSS to gain significant financial and commercial benefits:

  • Accuracy: Get reliable results every time with Spirent’s advanced RF simulation capabilities
  • Speed to market: Cut weeks from the testing process and get to market first
  • Lower costs: Spend less time in the lab, slashing testing costs while improving accuracy
  • Better performance: Replicate identical test conditions to identify the best performers
  • Rapid ROI: Automate every new testing process for fast, incremental cost savings

Spirent has been the global leader in connectivity testing for near 30 years, and is trusted by xxxx organisations in the military, aerospace, networking, and electronics sectors to deliver detailed, accurate and reliable test results for all devices and conditions.

Download the Application Note to discover how you can introduce world-class testing into your GNSS chipset selection process.

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    APPLICATION NOTE TestDrive GNSS - For Chip Vendor Selection An automation and reporting tool for repeatable and cost-effective GNSS chip-set performance characterisation with a GNSS simulator A Spirent Application Note for Designers, Integrators and Manufacturers of GNSS Devices Spirent Communications PnullC Paignton, Devon, nullnull nullnull nullngland nullebnull httpnullnullwwnullpirentnullomnullositioning nullelnull nullnullnullnull nullnullnull nullanull nullnullnullnull nullnullnull Copnullight nullnullnull Spirentnull All nullghts nulleservednull All of the compannullnames andnullr brand names andnullr product names referred to in this document, in particular, the name nullpirentnulland its logo device, are either registered trademarnull or trademarnull of Spirent plc and its subsidiaries, pending registration in accordance with relevant national lawsnullAll other registered trademarnull or trademarnull are the propertnull of their respective ownersnull nulle information contained in this document is subnullct to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Spirentnull nulle information in this document is believed to be accurate and reliablenull however, Spirent assumes no responsibilitnull or liabilitnullfor annullerrors or inaccuracies that manullappear in the documentnull Page 2SPIRENT Application Note Contents Scope null Introduction null PAnullnull nullnull Introducing nullestDrive-GNSS nullast, Automated Performance nullesting for GNSS-nullnabled Devices null nullsing null Simulation for GNSS nullesting null nullenullnullenenullsnullGet to Marnullt nullaster, at nullwer Cost null PAnullnull nullnullnull nullsing nullestDrive-GNSS Generating a nullest Suite null nullditing nullest Parameters null Connulluring nullser nullnullipment null nullnullecuting a nullest null Generating a nullest nulleport null Archiving nullest nullesults null Page nullSPIRENT Application Note Scope nullis Application Note has been written for designers and manufacturers of GNSS- enabled devices who are in the process of selecting a GNSS chipset as part of the design and specinullation processnull It sets out the benenulls of using Spirentnulls TestDrive-GNSS receiver characterisation software to test the performance of different chipsets under a varietnullof simulated conditionsnull It also provides a guide to using the nullestDrive-GNSS tool, in order to help designers and testers to get the most relevant, accurate and comprehensive results during the testing processnull nullroughout, we have assumed that the reader has a basic understanding of satellite navigation principles and an awareness of radio frenullencnullnullnull simulation as a test methodnull Introdnulltion Satellite positioning and navigation is rapidlnullbecoming an integral capabilitnull in mannullbusiness and consumer devices, from smartphones to smart running shoesnull Designers and manufacturers of GNSS- enabled devices need to nullow thenullare manullng the right choices during the design, specinullation and build process, so the device performs as well as possible for the eventual end usernull Selecting the right GNSS chipset is a critical part of the specinullation process, and getting it wrong can be an enullensive mistanullnullnullis is especiallnulltrue in the highlnullfashion-driven smartphone industrnull, where the slightest technological weanulless can nulland usuallnulldoes nulllead to a mass of negative media coverage and a slew of customers threatening to defect to a competing handsetnull nullile itnulls possible to test GNSS chipsets using available satellite signals in the live snull, this method is fundamentallnullnullwed because the same conditions can never be reproduced for re-testingnullnullar more reliable results can be obtained bnullsimulating conditions in a lab environment, where different chipsets can be thoroughlnulland fairlnulltested in an identical environmentnull Manual lab testing is a time-intensive process, howevernullDone properlnull, it renullires one or more operators to spend danull tanullng measurements, noting the results, reconnulluring the device, repeating the measurement and compiling reports bnull handnullnullen there is pressure on time or budgets, the thoroughness of the process manullsuffer, resulting in a hurried and incomplete evaluation of processor performance nulland potentiallnullthe selection of the wrong chipset for the devicenull nullo address these issues, Spirent has introduced nullestDrive-GNSS, a fullnull automated testing tool for GNSS user enullipmentnullnullis Application Note introduces the benenulls of the nullestDrive-GNSS tool and provides a guide to using itnull Page nullSPIRENT Application Note Fast, Automated Performance Testing for GNSS-Enabled Devices Spirent, the global leader in GNSS testing for the military, aerospace and electronics sectors, has introduced a fully automated testing solution for manufacturers of GNSS- enabled devices. TestDrive-GNSS provides SimGEN™, SimREnullnullnull and SimREnullnullnull plus customers nullth an integrated test solution that enables performance characterisation of GNSS nullser Enullipment nullEnullby means of Rnullsimulation. Using RF Simulation for GNSS Testing null Rnullnullnstellation Simulator reproduces the environment that a GNSS receiver nullll enullerience by modelling vehicle and satellite motion, signal characteristics, atmospheric and other effects. nullen connected to the Rnullsimulator, the receiver nullll navigate according to the parameters of the test scenario. null common misconception is that there is the need to enullctly replicate real nullrld conditions for a GNSS test to be valid. nullonullever, application of representative effects via Rnullsimulation is proven nullver null years of testingnullto enullercise receivers and adenullately identify their limitations. nullore importantly, Rnullsimulation provides many advantages that nullivesnullnull testing nullth real GNSS signals cannot deliver. nulln particular, it gives complete repeatability, control and enullct nullonulledge nulldonull to bit level nullof the signal nullich is stimulating the receiver. nulligure nullshonull the concept of GNSS simulation using a Spirent GSSnullnull simulator. Designers and testers of GNSS enullipment can use TestDrive-GNSS tonull null nullntrol both the GNSS RnullSimulator and the null simultaneously nullnullanage suites of tests nullnullchive sets of results null Generate summary reports in a number of common formats PART ONEnullnullntroducing TestDrive-GNSS nulligure nullEnullmple RnullSimulation nulllonull Page nullSPIRENT Application Note nullenullnullenenullsnull Get to nullarnullt Fasternull at Lonuller Cost nullestDrive-GNSS delivers signinullant nullancial and commercial advantages to designers and manufacturers of GNSS-enabled devicesnull Faster tinull to nullrnulltnull nullnullremoving the need to write custom testing software and bnullspeeding up testing time, nullestDrive- GNSS can reduce the testing process from months to danull nullso new devices can be delivered to marnullt faster than competing products Lonuller costsnull nullestDrive-GNSS decimates the number of man-hours that need to be devoted to testing, signinullantlnullreducing the cost of resourcing the testing processnull nulletter pernullrnullncenull nullestDrive-GNSS ensures that each chipset is thoroughlnulltested under identical simulated conditions, so manufacturers can be connullent thenullare choosing the best performing receiver for the devicenull nullpid retnulln on investnullntnull nullnce acnullired, nullestDrive-GNSS can be used to automate all future testing needs, signinullantlnullreducing testing budgets and delivering a rapid return on investmentnull Inullroved valnull chain collanullrationnull nullests and test senullences specinulld with nullestDrive-GNSS can be shared throughout the value chain, so chip manufacturers, device designers and device manufacturers can agree and implement a common set of standards for performance testingnull Faster certinullationnull nulle detailed test reports produced bnull estDrive-GNSS can be submitted to certinullation authorities as evidence of device performance, speeding up time to certinullationnull A nullrld-class testing processnull Spirent has been the global leader in connectivitnull testing for null nullears, and is trusted bnullmannull organisations in the militarnull, aerospace, networnullng, and electronics sectors to deliver detailed, accurate and reliable test results for all devices and conditionsnull nullor more about the benenulls of using Spirent for automated GNSS testing, visit wwwnullpirentnullomnullositioning or read the Spirent blog at wwwnullpirentnullomnulllognull Positioningnullspnull null Page nullSPIRENT Application Note Generating a Test Snullte nulle most simple test suite contains a single test casenullnullch line in a test suite can be one of several different test tnullesnull Different tests are used to measure different performance criterianullA uninulle set of parameters applies to each test tnullenull nullefer to the user manual for a detailed description of all supported test tnullesnull nullirstlnull, create a new suite from the File null NenullnullSnullte menunull PAnullT TnullOnullnullsing TestDrive-GNSS nulligure nullCreating a new suite Page null SPIRENT Application Note nullo select a test tnulle when adding a new testnull null Clicnullon a blannullcell in the nullest Name column of the suite windownull null nullght-clicnullon the cell to displanullthe Insert nullest menunull nullSelect the desired test from the menusnull nulligure nullillustrates an enullmple of adding a new null Acnullisition Sensitivitnullnullest to a test suitenull nulligure null Adding a test to a test suite Page null SPIRENT Application Note Editing Test Paranullters nullch test supported bnull estDrive-GNSS includes a number of customisable test parameters that nullou can modifnullnull est parameters can be numerical values nullnullnull Number of Measurementsnull tenull values nullnullnull Test Descriptionnull or a list of selectable values nullnullnull Pause Between Measurementsnull nullo change the value of a particular test parameternull null Clicnulla specinull line in the nullests pane to select the testnull null Select the parameter sub-group in the tree view on the left side of the nullest Parameters panenull null Clicnullthe parameter nullou want to edit and tnulle or select a new valuenull nulligure nullshows an enullmple of selecting nullause nulletween Measurementsnull from the General Parameters sub-group of a test casenull nullefore running a nullest Suite, it should be validated to help avoid test enullecution errorsnullnullestDrive can analnulle an entire suite for test setup and parameter value problems before enullecutionnullnullalidation checnull test conditions against the current snulltem connulluration and alerts nullou if the snulltem does not contain sufnullient hardware to perform certain testsnull Although this does not guarantee nullwless enullecution, it signinullantlnullreduces the risnull of problems during enullecution bnulldetecting them beforehandnull nullo validate the nullest Suite clicnullthe nullalidate Suite icon from the nulloolbar or select Enullecnulle nullValidatenull nulligure null Selecting ‘Pause between measurements’ from the ‘General Parameters’ Page nullSPIRENT Application Note Connullnulling nullser Enullipnullnt nullefore enullecuting a test suite it is necessarnull to connullure the user enullipmentnull nullpen a new user enullipment nulle bnull selecting the File nullNenullnullnullser Enullipnullnt option from the menusnull Choose settings which represent the receiver connection to nullour computernull An enullmple of such a connulluration is displanulled in nulligure null nulligure null Connulluring the user enullipment Page nullSPIRENT Application Note nullnce a connection has been made, the nullesponsenull window will be populated with the latest responses from the user enullipmentnullnulle cursor can be positioned on the latest response bnulldouble-clicnullng in the response windownullNote that it manullbe necessarnullto run the simulator at this point in order to generate responses from the user enullipmentnull nullestDrive can control user enullipment using the ubinullitous NMnull ASCII command set or alternativelnullusing the Sinull binarnullprotocolnull More information on each of these protocols can be found in the referencesnull It should be noted that when manullng a connection in the user enullipment connulluration editor, it is possible to connect to a device which has been connullured to use the Sinull binarnullprotocolnull In this case the response from the instrument will be displanulled as binarnull datanullnullo convert the binarnulldata to human readable form it is renullired that the user sends a command to switch into NMnull mode and then a command to switch bacnull into binarnullmodenull nullor enullmple, to switch between Sinull binarnull mode and NMnull GGA messages nullsing the Cnull port settings in nulligure null send the following message to the nullnull Anullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnull nullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnull where Anullnullis the Sinull message transport lanuller start senullence, nullnull represents the message panulload length, null represents the message number, null represents the Sinull mode nullMnullnull nullnull switches on NMnull GGA messages with a checnullum, nullnull nullepeated nulltimesnullrepresents switching other NMnull messages off with checnullums, nullnull is the henulldecimal representation of nullnullnullbaud, nullnull is the message checnullum and nullnull is the Sinull message transport lanuller end senullencenull nullen send the following command to re- enter Sinull binarnullmode nullith the same Cnull port settingsnull nullSnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnull nulle following list of commands is an enullmple of how to populate the user enullipment nullommand Settingsnull editor to control a GSDnull Sinull capable GPS receivernull Switch to Sinull binarnullprotocol nullSnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnull Navigation Initialisation Anullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnull nullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnull Set PDnull to null AnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullCnullnull Switch off DGPS mode AnullnullnullnullAnullnullnullnullnullnull Set elevation masnullto nulldegrees Anullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnull Static Navigation nulllag nullff Anullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnull Set binarnullserial port nullnullnullbpsnull Anullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnullnull Page nullSPIRENT Application Note Enullecnulling a Test nullnce the null settings have been connullured and saved nullou manullrun the nullest Suite bnullselecting Enullecnulle nullnullnullnull nulle nullnullecute Automatic nullest dialog bonullis displanulled, allowing nullou to set several run specinull optionsnullnulligure nullgives an enullmple of the nullnullecute Automatic nullest dialog bonull nullen the test has completed the results will be stored in a nulle called nullablenulliewnullsv which is located in the folder specinulld in nulligure null nullis nulle can be used for further analnullisnull NotenullIf the user is emplonullng user enullipment which responds with NMnull statements then the monitoring algorithm will determine that a measurement is successful bnullenullmining the NMnull GGA nulllobal Positioning Snulltem nullinullDatanull position null nullg in addition to the plan and spherical position error metrics specinulld in the testnullIf the user is emplonullng user enullipment which responds with the Sinull binarnullprotocol then message null nulleodetic Navigation Datanullwill be enullmined to establish whether a null has occurred in addition to the plan and spherical position error metrics specinulld in the testnull Generating a Test nulleport nullest nulleports can be generated from the current set of test results loaded in application memornullbnullselecting nullnullecute null Generate nulleport from the menunull nullou can print or save reports in a varietnull of standard nulle formats including Adobe Acrobat nullPDnull, Microsoft nullnullcel nullCSnullnull and Microsoft nullord nullDnullnull nullo review reports after saving them, load the report documents with the appropriate associated applicationnull Archiving Test nullesnullts nullo archive a set of test results select File nullnullip Active nullesnulltsnull nulligure null nullnullecute Automatic test dialog bonull Page nullSPIRENT Application Note CONTACT null Spirent Conullnullications nullnullnullnull nullnullnull globalsalesnullpirentnullom wwwnullpirentnullomnullositioning Spirent Federal Snulltenull null nullnullnullnullnullnull infonullpirentfederalnullom wwwnullpirentfederalnullom nullnullnot share this docnullentnull Got a snullrtphonenull If you have a smartphone download a Qnullnullde reader and then point your phone camera at the Qnullnullde to read the nullaphicnull nullevnullnullnullMar nullnull nullaceboonull nullnnulldIn nullwitter nullechnorati Google nullunull Digg Delicious nulleddit Stumbleupon nulle are adding nenullcontent to onull nullenullite on a regnullar nullsisnull nullonullarnullthis linnull wwwnullpirentnullomnullositioning Visit the Spirent GNSS nullognullthere are cnullrentlnullover null posts nullth 2 to nullnenullposts added each nulleenull Catch null on nullatnulls nenullnull wwwnullpirentnullomnulllognullositioningnullspnull Need nullre innullrnulltionnull gnss-solutionsnullpirentnullom DANnullnullISSnull nullnull