The R&S SMBV100A from Rohde & Schwarz sets new standards in satellite simulation

02/19/2011

The field-proven R&S SMBV100A from Rohde & Schwarz with the addition of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) simulator sets new standards in satellite simulation. This flexible, multi-purpose vector signal generator can now generate customized scenarios for GPS and Galileo from up to 12 satellites in realtime. Users can quickly and easily define their own scenarios to test GNSS receivers under a variety of conditions. The R&S SMBV100A is the only simulator on the market that supports several satellite, mobile radio, wireless and radio standards simultaneously. Now, manufacturers of mobile phones or car radios with GNSS receivers need just one signal generator to check multiple functions at the same time.

GNSS receivers are typically characterized by running a number of tests that measure, for example, how quickly a receiver can fix its position after it is switched on, how much power it needs to do so, and how accurately the calculated position matches its actual position.

In order to be able to make statistically sound statements about the characteristics of a receiver, users normally perform a complete series of tests under various scenarios. A satellite simulator that can simulate a wide variety of scenarios is ideal for this task. The GNSS solution for the R&S SMBV100A delivers the required flexibility.

Only a few keystrokes are needed to generate complex scenarios that are unlimited in time and utilize up to 12 satellites. The user can select the almanac file, the number of visible satellites and the receiver’s geographical position. It is also possible to simulate stationary positions and scenarios that simulate the movement of a receiver along a chosen route. The user can also simulate restricted reception conditions on the satellites, such as driving through a tunnel. Simulation of multipath propagation and atmospheric effects result in even more realistic transmission conditions. For full GNSS functionality, the R&S SMBV100A also provides hybrid GPS and Galileo scenarios for testing multistandard receivers.

The R&S SMBV100A GNSS solution offers customization options that allow users to change the configuration of the signal generator to keep pace with new test requirements. New features can be added on an as-needed basis. Additional functions, such as 12 instead of 6 satellites, can be activated with a license key. This eliminates the downtime associated with hardware installations.

Today, GNSS receivers are a standard feature in many mobile phones and car entertainment systems. Even chipsets in pure navigation devices are increasingly multistandard-capable and – at the very least – often support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth®. In addition to generating GNSS signals, the R&S SMBV100A comes with options for generating standard-compliant signals for all major digital communications standards (LTE, HSPA+, WCDMA, WiMAX^TM, GSM, WLAN) and radio standards (DAB, Sirius|XM radio, HD radio). Manufacturers of products with integrated GNSS receivers will find significant benefit in this versatility: They only need one R&S SMBV100A to test GNSS and other functions.

The new GNSS software options for the R&S SMBV100A vector signal generator are now available from Rohde & Schwarz. These include the R&S SMBV-K44 option (six satellites for GPS), R&S SMBV-K66 (six satellites for Galileo), R&S SMBV-K65 (A-GPS), R&S SMBV-K91 (extension to 12 satellites) and R&S SMBV-K92 (additional functions such as moving scenarios or multipath propagation).

Rohde & Schwarz, www.rohde-schwarz.com