Agilent simulator software validates GPS receivers

Signal Studio uses GPS signals required for full GPS receiver verification, location accuracy, and sensitivity.

-- Test & Measurement World, 1/21/2010 7:00:00 AM

Agilent claims that its N7609B Signal Studio for Global Navigation Satellite Systems software is the only 12-satellite, 24-channel signal simulator built on a general-purpose signal generator. When teamed with the N5106A PXB baseband generator and channel emulator, the software offers a reliable and repeatable test system for the verification and validation of GPS receivers.

Signal Studio lets you create real-time multi-satellite GPS signals and perform the tests required for full GPS receiver verification, including TTFF (time to find fix), location accuracy, and sensitivity. The real-time GPS signal capability allows satellite power and individual satellite visibility to be controlled while the signal is playing. GPS signals with calibrated AWGN (additive white Gaussian noise) are also available.

Generation and editing capabilities enable the creation of custom scenarios with either a stationary or moving GPS receiver with up to 24 channels of line-of-sight and multipath satellite signals. Other impairments, such as ionospheric and tropospheric attenuation, can be also included in the scenario-generation process.

The N7609B software runs on the N5106A PXB baseband generator and channel emulator platform with an E4438C ESG or N5182A MXG vector signal generator for RF up-conversion. The PXB/MXG hardware allows signal creation for most of today's wireless standards, including WLAN, Bluetooth, LTE, and WiMAX, while offering the flexibility to meet future signal-creation requirements.

As an added benefit, the N7609B software with the PXB/MXG can be combined with Agilent's 8960 Wireless Communications Test Set in the GS-9000 A-GPS Design Verification Test System for complete A-GPS preconformance test coverage. The solution supports 3GPP TS51.010/TS34.171, GSM, and CDMA2000 tests, as well as CTIA over-the-air GPS testing.

The N7609B Signal Studio software for GPS receiver testing and verification is available now. Hardware configurations start at $49,000, while software configurations start at $14,000.

Agilent Technologies, www.agilent.com.