Spirent Communications, a leader in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) test solutions, announced today that it has officially released SimIQ. ——This new software will enable earlier and efficient GNSS testing in the product development process. From software-in-the-loop to final form of testing, SimIQ can create, share and play back I/Q data files, allowing developers to collaborate in the complete design life cycle.
SimIQ can meet the needs for early testing of GNSS capabilities, identify various problems before purchasing hardware devices, reduce costs, and accelerate product development. For developers who are currently using Spirent’s leading GSS7000 and GSS9000 simulators, SimIQ can expand its multi-frequency and multi-constellation simulation capabilities to meet pure software testing needs through the capture and playback of high-fidelity I/Q data files . Being completely contained in a single system, SimIQ can use two main components-SimIQ Capture and SimIQ Replay to read and generate I/Q data.
- SimIQ Capture-enables Spirent GNSS simulator to generate I/Q files containing all necessary GNSS signal data for testing the algorithm, consistency and performance of software receivers. It can record GNSSI/Q data to files in the simulator, helping development and testing teams to verify various positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) algorithms before expensive hardware designs begin.
- SimIQ Replay-enables the simulator to read any I/Q file containing GNSS data. In addition, it can also facilitate the generation of RF signals based on pre-recorded interference signals and customized waveforms. Utilizing the flexibility of Spirent hardware and unique signal generation architecture, it can support generating these signals from I/Q files while maintaining extremely high fidelity and quality.
Martin Foulger, General Manager of Spirent’s Communication Positioning, Navigation and Timing Division, said: “Now with SimIQ, test engineers can use our simulator to test GNSS throughput throughout the design life cycle, which will save a lot of money. Time and resources can also speed up the development of technology."
SimIQ product manager Ricardo Verdeguer Moreno explained: “This brand new software will bring huge benefits to developers in the aerospace, automotive and defense industries. SimIQ Capture can help developers with their receiver algorithms in the initial stages of design. Perform testing to minimize costs. This will provide designers with assurance that they can move forward with confidence in the hardware design phase."
SimIQ will be available to new and existing users from the fourth quarter of 2020.