Semiconductor Equipment

Spirent launches new GNSS, PNT simulation system

23 May 2024

Comprised of satellite constellations, ground control stations and user devices, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are used to provide positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) data for a variety of applications. But as PNT challenges are becoming increasingly complex, developers are looking beyond GNSS solutions alone. One example is the growing threat of navigation warfare (NAVWAR), by which the use of GNSS signals is disrupted by an adversary.

A new solution for positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) simulation is aimed at addressing complex challenges, such as the growing threat of navigation warfare. Source: Pixabay/CC0A new solution for positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) simulation is aimed at addressing complex challenges, such as the growing threat of navigation warfare. Source: Pixabay/CC0Enter Spirent Communications with its sixth generation GNSS and PNT simulation system, PNT X. The test platform brings signals including L-band, S-band and alternative navigation (AltNav) signals, as well as Regional Military Protection (RMP) support — an industry first, according to Spirent — into a single compact system. With the power to run multiple signals from different PNT sources concurrently, the new platform is designed to simplify comprehensive testing and deliver real-time feedback for mission-critical testing scenarios.

“We have built PNT X with the future in mind,” said Adam Price, vice president of PNT Simulation at Spirent. “It’s designed to leverage the best technologies for each application, ensuring our customers can achieve deterministic testing at every stage of the development cycle, while saving money and reducing lab footprint. Most importantly, it can do all of this without compromising on performance. It will enable users to support cutting-edge application testing with more precision and simplicity than ever before.”

According to Spirent, PNT X brings together a broad set of features and capabilities to protect future generations of mission-critical systems. These include controlled reception pattern antenna (CRPA) support for 16-plus elements; continuous high dynamic range for interference signals, enabling jamming evaluation; a carrier phase-aligned wavefront created through purpose-designed and optimized software-defined radio (SDR) technology; and a standard update rate of 2 kHz for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and high-dynamics vehicle testing.

“An evolving and escalating NAVWAR threat landscape has made comprehensive testing of layered PNT solutions an absolute imperative,” said Rob VanBrunt, president/CEO at Spirent Federal. “PNT X accelerates product development cycles, enabling defense developers, governmental agencies and aerospace enterprises to deploy mission-critical PNT solutions faster.”



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