Tool boosts I/Q data streaming test for satellite navigation

New Products | August 6, 2020

By Nick Flaherty

RF transmission Test and Measurement Wireless Communications Software & Embedded tools

Spirent Communications has launched software to allow for earlier and more efficient GNSS satellite navigation system testing during product development

SimIQ can be used from software-in-the-loop through to final form testing, SimIQ enables developers to collaborate across the full design lifecycle through the creation, sharing and replay of I/Q data files.

The use of SimIQ allows developers to identifying issues prior to the purchase of hardware components. For developers using Spirent’s GSS7000 and GSS9000 simulators, SimIQ extends multi-frequency, multi-constellation simulation capabilities to cover software-only testing needs through the capture and replay of high fidelity I/Q data files. Housed in a single system, SimIQ reads and generates I/Q data with two major components, SimIQ Capture and SimIQ Replay.

“With SimIQ, test engineers will now be able to use our simulators to test GNSS throughout the full design lifecycle, ultimately saving time and resources, while accelerating technology development,” said Martin Foulger, General Manager of Spirent’s Positioning, Navigation and Timing business.

The SimIQ Capture tool allows the GNSS satellite navigation system simulators to generate I/Q files containing all the GNSS signal data required to test the algorithms, conformance, and performance of software receivers. It enables the recording of GNSS I/Q data into files hosted in the simulator, helping development and testing teams to validate positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) algorithms before expensive hardware designs.

SimIQ Replay enables the simulator to read any I/Q file containing GNSS data. In addition, it facilitates the generation of RF from pre-recorded interference signals and custom waveforms. The flexibility and unrivalled signal generation architecture of Spirent’s hardware enables the generation of these signals from I/Q files, while maintaining fidelity and quality due to Spirent’s unrivalled signal generation architecture.

“SimIQ Capture enables developers to test their receiver algorithms in the earliest stages of design in order to minimize their costs. This provides designers with full assurance that they can move forward with confidence to the hardware design phase,” said Ricardo Verdeguer Moreno, Product Manager for SimIQ.

SimIQ will be available to new and existing customers beginning in Q4 2020.

For more information visit the SimIQ product page at www.spirent.com/products/simiq-software-in-the-loop-solution