Testing the performance of GNSS systems and receivers can be a long, complex and expensive process, but it doesn’t need to be.
Spirent’s comprehensive range of automated testing solutions shortens, simplifies and strengthens the testing process for all GNSS devices, from satellite systems to consumer smartphones.
Spirent simplifies the testing process in several ways:
Shorten Test Cycles
Commercial, industrial and military organisations are all under pressure to get new, GNSS-enabled equipment into production as fast as possible. With Spirent’s automated testing systems you can cut days, weeks or even months from your testing processes.
- Automated, repeatable RF simulation frees up man-days and completes test cycles faster
- Comprehensive automated reports mean no more time spent writing up notes
- Out-of-the-box test scenarios remove the need to write custom test software
- Record and Playback systems minimise field testing by capturing livesky signals for lab replay
Reduce Testing Costs
Most of the cost of testing GNSS equipment comes from the man-hours it requires, as well as the travel, transport and logistics costs of field testing equipment in different geographical locations and environmental conditions. Automating tests with Spirent’s RF simulators reduces research, development and commercialisation costs:
- Extensive choice of parameters and scenarios enables 90% of testing to be done in the lab
- Automated testing reduces the amount of human intervention in the testing process
- Easy-to-use hardware and software means no budget required for new skills training
- Livesky Record and Playback systems further reduce the time needed for field testing
Eliminate Complexity with Accurate, Repeatable Tests
Much of the complexity of GNSS performance testing comes from the inability to replicate identical conditions and scenarios for repeat testing. ‘Livesky’ tests can provide a wealth of information about receiver performance in the real world, but can never be repeated for verification, so you can never be sure whether any change in performance is due to product design or environmental conditions.
Spirent’s RF simulators and software let you simulate and repeat even the most complex scenarios in a controlled, lab environment, with automated reporting of results. For livesky testing, our Record and Playback unit let you record real-world conditions and replay them limitlessly back in the lab. You get the following benefits:
- Eliminate the uncertainty caused by environmental conditions changing between tests
- Dramatically reduce the amount of time spent checking and verifying test results
- Cut out time spent manually noting and reporting test results
- Introduce standard reporting of test results for easier and faster collaboration
Standardise Testing
Spirent’s built-in test cases and scenarios enable organisations to easily select and define standard tests that can be used throughout the production value chain. Defining standard tests for use at the research, development, integration, certification and production stages delivers many benefits:
- Improve collaboration between value chain partners and testing houses
- Avoid ‘reinventing the wheel’ at different stages of the process
- Get new GNSS-enabled products certified and into production faster
- Create a robust internal standard for GNSS testing where no industry standard exists
A Solution for Every Application
Spirent’s extensive range of products means we have a testing solution for every type of application, from basic positioning capabilities in consumer electronic devices to high-precision military, aerospace and maritime equipment.
We can help you find the combination of Spirent software and hardware that best suits your needs, enabling you to create an integrated test environment that will save time, money and effort while delivering your most accurate test results ever.
Software
BASIC
Spirent SimREPLAY—Play and replay pre-defined scenarios for fast, accurate comparative measurements.
INTERMEDIATE
Spirent SimREPLAYPlus—As above, with the additional option to generate scenarios locally, edit the time, date and position and to define vehicle motion remotely or using a file in the required format.
ADVANCED
Spirent SimGEN—A fully flexible software suite designed for R&D use. SimGEN offers complete, flexible scenario generation capability including control of the constellations, propagation, terrain obscuration, antenna patterns, multipath, vehicle trajectory and a range of error models.
Spirent TestDrive-GNSS—An integrated test solution to set up and run pre-defined test sequences, and process and store the results.
Hardware
Spirent GSS6700 Multi-GNSS Simulator
A powerful, flexible platform for Multi-GNSS development, integration and verification testing. (Simulators for individual constellations, regional augmentation systems, Wi-Fi and hybrid positioning are also available).
Spirent GSS6400 Record and Playback System
A complete, standalone system for gathering data in the field and replaying it with optimal fidelity and performance back in the lab.
