BAE Systems chooses Spirent Federal CRPA test system

July 13, 2021 - By Tracy Cozzens

For controlled reception pattern antenna (CRPA) testing and M-code testing for military GPS receivers

Image: Spirent Federal

BAE Systems has selected Spirent Federal Systems to provide a CRPA Test System to support M-code military GPS technology development.

BAE Systems is developing an advanced military GPS receiver and improving the capabilities of size-constrained and power-constrained military GPS applications, including precision-guided munitions and handheld devices.

Spirent Federal is qualified to provide essential test equipment and support in the pursuit of resilient, accurate PNT data in GPS-degraded Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) situations, Spirent stated in a press release.

The Spirent CRPA Test System is a development of its GSS9000 Series platform. It can test

controlled reception pattern antennas (CRPAs)
MNSA and AES M-code
jamming and spoofing threats and mitigation
ultra-high-dynamic vehicle applications
inertial navigation systems
additional encrypted military signals, Y-code and SAASM
and more

CRPAs provide proven and effective protection against jamming in high-interference environments. The Spirent CRPA Test System can simulate 16+ individual elements with a separate RF output per antenna element.

For the 16-element test system, concurrent simulation of GNSS signals, signals from spoofers and repeaters, and interference from multiple jammers — including Blue Force Electronic Attack (BFEA) jamming waveforms — results in more than 1,000 simultaneous independent channels and signals simulated across a phase-calibrated precise wavefront.

“The CRPA Test System is the culmination of over 35 years of R&D and industry leadership and is perfectly positioned to help with next-generation MGUE modernization,” said Ellen Hall, president/CEO of Spirent Federal. “Our robust M-code test capabilities support BAE Systems’ advances in M-code technology.”

Spirent can provide GNSS and interference signal simulation solutions for every stage in the CRPA design and verification process. To learn more, visit Spirent Federal’s CRPA Test System page.