SimSENSOR–Comprehensive Sensor Fusion Testing

Controlled, Repeatable Testing

Rigorous testing of sensor fusion algorithms is vital to establishing and optimising the performance of any combined GNSS/MEMS inertial sensor navigation system.

The value of conducting these tests in the field, however, is severely limited. Since a live environment is constantly changing, it’s impossible to repeat a test under exactly the same conditions–limiting testing scope and accuracy, and ruling out meaningful comparative testing of different algorithms and system designs.

SimSENSOR enables the controlled, repeatable performance testing of sensor fusion algorithms by bringing testing into the lab. It works in tandem with our GSS6700 or GSS8000 multi-GNSS simulators, simulating the output of a range of MEMS inertial sensors on a common trajectory with the simulated GNSS signals.

Offering a variety of data delivery mechanisms–and the ability to test in tightly or loosely coupled sensor fusion architectures–SimSENSOR delivers:

• Accurate and reliable performance benchmarking
• Meaningful, comparable performance testing of different prototypes
• The power to validate and optimise algorithm parameters during R&D

Extensive, Adaptable Testing

Location-aware devices, by their nature, need to be able to perform well regardless of their position in the world and the route they are taking. It’s therefore important to know how your sensor fusion algorithms will handle the signals and outputs created by a variety of trajectories and environments.

Attempting to ascertain this through field testing only amplifies the inaccuracy, time and cost issues outlined above, as equipment must be transported between geographically disparate test sites and manually reconfigured for each new trajectory.

SimSENSOR gives you the power to model a broad range of trajectories and environments – and delivers an extra level of testing control, with the ability to simulate and define background levels of MEMS sensor noise, and to include or exclude common errors such as bias and drift.

• Test sensor fusion algorithms under a range of representative conditions
• Model and control sensor noise, and deterministic or stochastic errors
• Map a range of common human gestures onto simulated linear trajectories

SimSENSOR and SimINERTIAL

SimSENSOR is designed to meet the specific requirements of commercial device R&D. If you’re using high-end Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to produce GNSS/Inertial systems for military or niche applications, our SimINERTIAL system works with the Spirent GSS8000 Multi-GNSS simulator to deliver a comprehensive performance testing solution.

Testing Tailored to Your Needs

Spirent has led the world in GNSS testing for over a quarter of a century, delivering navigation and positioning test equipment and services to governmental agencies, major manufacturers, integrators, test facilities and space agencies worldwide.

We’ve stayed at the cutting edge of testing by working closely with our customers and developing innovative solutions to meet their unique requirements. If you have any specific sensor fusion testing questions, just give us a call–we’re always happy to discuss tailoring our solutions to meet your individual needs.