Expert Opinions: How GNSS signal simulation plays a role product development
Q: How did GNSS signal simulation play a role in the latest product that you developed?
A: During development of dual-frequency GLONASS RTK support for the Piksi Multi GNSS receiver, GNSS signal simulation was used to test corner cases that are infrequent but catastrophic, such as whole constellation failures. We combined this with our custom-built hardware-in-the-loop infrastructure to test nightly on relevant GNSS scenarios, gaining statistical significance through thousands of runs of the receiver. This iterative approach allowed us to develop GLONASS RTK support in a mere five months.
A: GNSS signal simulation was used in all stages of our GNSS chip design and development. Simplified single- or multi-satellite simulations were used to verify search and track channel designs, and carefully calibrated simulations were used to characterize receiver losses. Later, full system simulations were used in large-scale regression testing, interference testing and corner case tests. Simulator testing has been critical for supporting new signals that weren’t widely available in the early chip design phases.
A: We use GNSS simulators throughout the design cycle, from prototyping to mass production. The benefits of testing in a reliable, repeatable lab environment became very clear when we needed to exercise co-location of Bluetooth and GNSS in a module. Testing in a controlled signal environment allowed us to keep the GNSS signals constant while adjusting the Bluetooth signal levels, allowing us to verify the robustness of our design over the full temperature and voltage range.
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