Spirent Announces Test System for Hybrid Sensor Fusion for Indoor Positioning

Spirent Communications has launched its SimSENSOR MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensor simulation software. SimSENSOR is targeted at the R&D environment and enables performance testing of sensor fusion algorithms in navigation systems that include MEMS inertial sensors and multi-GNSS.

SimSENSOR works in tandem with Spirent’s multi-GNSS constellation simulators by simulating MEMS sensor outputs on a common trajectory with the simulated GNSS signals. Trajectories that include representative human motion gestures, such as arm movements, are included with SimSENSOR. The ability to test fusion algorithms that take inputs from a wide variety of sensors is supported, including accelerometers, gyroscope, magnetometer, digital compass, and barometric height sensors. Representative MEMS noise models and errors such as bias and drift are also included and are available under user control.

“SimSENSOR is designed for customers who want to optimize sensor fusion architectures,” said Rahul Gupta, product manager with Spirent’s Positioning Technology business. “Sensor fusion is increasingly being used to enable a wide range of applications including indoor positioning. SimSENSOR is a unique tool for accelerated, lab-based R&D in support of this ground-breaking work. It will also help to extend Spirent’s leadership in testing hybrid positioning technologies in mobile devices.”

In 2007 Spirent launched SimINERTIAL to test inertial navigation systems involving high-grade GPS/inertial units suitable for military applications. SimSENSOR benefits from the experience gained by Spirent, in particular in relation to ensuring coherency and stability between GNSS and simulated sensor output streams.

SimSENSOR is now available for order.