Topcon Full Wave GNSS Reference Station Antenna with Convex Impedance Ground Plane

An ideal antenna for a reference station receives signals from all satellites in view while fully rejecting signals coming from underneath or indirect. These indirect signals are the result of so-called multipath. They are original satellite signals reflected from the terrain underlying the antenna. These signals mix with the direct signals from the satellites thus providing what is known as multipath error to the positioning. With today’s technology, multipath is the largest error source within high precision applications. 

» White Paper PDF 

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LocataNet Positioning Signal Interface Control Document (ICD-LOC-100A)

The LocataNet ICD defines the requirements related to the interface for Locata’s new ground-based positioning technology, which works with Locata’s transceivers, called LocataLites, to deliver centimeter-accurate positioning where GPS signals are erratic, jammed, or unavailable. It lays out the technical information that system integrators and product designers need to design standalone Locata positioning receivers, or to allow tight integration of core Locata receiver technology with GPS in various form factors.

» White Paper PDF 

» More information from Locata Corporation website

u-blox: The Promising Marriage of Wireless and GPS Technologies

As both mobile service providers and GPS device manufacturers struggle to find new profitable services to offer their customers, the convergence of GSM and GPS technologies is starting to bear fruit. By equipping global positioning terminals with a parallel wireless back-channel, a whole new realm of application possibilities emerge that would have been impossible with either technology alone. This white paper describes some recent deployments of converged wireless/GPS applications, and gives a hint as to what exciting possibilities lie in the near future.

» White Paper PDF

» More information from u-blox website

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This application note explains how to perform automated receiver tests using the R&S SMBV100A. The presented tests include TTFF, sensitivity and location accuracy measurements, moving receiver and interference tests, and many more. Basic remote control examples are provided for the individual tests to ease programming.

» White Paper PDF

GPS, Glonass, Galileo Receiver Testing Using a GNSS Signal Simulator

This application note explains how to perform automated receiver tests using the R&S SMBV100A. The presented tests include TTFF, sensitivity and location accuracy measurements, moving receiver and interference tests, and many more. Basic remote control examples are provided for the individual tests to ease programming.

» White Paper PDF

» More information from the Rohde & Schwarz website

Time Synchronous Signals with Multiple R&S SMBV100A Vector Signal Generators

This application note explains how to synchronize the signals from multiple R&SSMBV100A vector signal generators in time. The synchronization of the instruments is based on a master-slave principle where one R&SSMBV100A acts as master and supplies all necessary synchronization signals to the other instruments (slaves). The setup is simple and provides highly synchronized test signals.

» White Paper PDF

» More information from the Rohde & Schwarz website

Spectracom: Leap Second Testing Made Easy

The first leap second since late 2008 will be added to the official time scale on June 30, 2012. This will be the first mid-year leap second event in 16 years. No doubt most GPS receivers in current production have not experienced a leap second event and none would have experienced a midyear leap second. For these reasons, it is strongly recommended to test the upcoming leap second event for all GPS receivers and systems to determine if algorithms and software successfully manages the leap second event and to uncover any detrimental effect of the leap second discontinuity.

» Application Note PDF

» More information from Spectracom website

Averna: Customer Success Story — Trimble Mapping & GIS

The Challenge: After years of manual GNSS receiver testing, Trimble’s Mapping & GIS division sought to eliminate many time-consuming steps while also ensuring the utmost in test coverage and quality.

The Solution: Averna’s rugged and portable RP-3200 Wideband RF Record & Playback simplifies Trimble’s data-collection process, while eliminating many environmental variables.

The Result: Trimble now spends more time in the lab with high-quality, real-world signals, allowing them to perform more comprehensive testing in shorter timeframes.

» Application Note PDF

» More information from Averna website

NovAtel: Ultra-Precise Positioning for Sport Applications

The University of Calgary Schulich School of Engineering, through its PLAN Group has developed and tested, in collaboration with Own The Podium/À Nous le Podium 2010 and Alpine Canada Alpin, an ultra-precise, ultra-light and autonomous sensor, namely STEALTH, the Sensor for the Training of Elite Athletes, to support the Canadian Alpine Ski Team during training. The GPS-GLONASS based sensor has proven to operate very well under a variety of conditions and is now used routinely by the ski team. Authors: Gérard Lachapelle, Aiden Morrison and Richard Ong

» Application Note PDF

» More information from NovAtel website

Orientation Performance Test of Xsens MTi-G AHRS for Automotive Applications

Orientation performance of the MTi-G, a lowcost miniature MEMS Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS), was tested in a car on a test track. Two tests were performed: a high-speed test on an oval banked track and a high-dynamic maneuvering test on a track with many corners.

» Application Note PDF

» More information from Xsens website

PCTEL: The Changing Global Security Environment

Military missions in the new hybrid environment of traditional and irregular warfare often require the mobility that wireless technology can provide. Both electronics and antennas are typically enclosed in small, ruggedized packages where harsh environmental conditions require protection from dust, chemicals, humidity, and extreme, fast changing temperatures. This application note discusses the need for specialized GPS and wireless communications antennas providing connectivity with satellites, aerials, or land-based communications infrastructure.

» Application Note PDF

» More information from PCTEL website

Rohde & Schwarz: Global Navigation Satellite Systems and Their Wide Range of Applications

This article provides an overview of the various GNSS navigation systems, explains the navigation channel and generic approach used by a commercial standard receiver to calculate a user position, and generally describes channel acquisition and tracking. The author also discusses GNSS applications, such as differential GNSS (DGNSS) and multiple frequency-band navigation, their complexity, and benefits.

» Application Note PDF

» <More information from Rohde & Schwarz website

V100 GPS Compass Helps Revolutionize Parking Enforcement

By partnering Hemisphere GPS’ V100 GPS Compass with Tannery Creek Systems Inc.’s patented autoChalk software, parking enforcement can now ticket offenders in real-time as they drive past in their patrol car. The partnered technology has revolutionized parking enforcement and saves significant amounts of time and money.

» Application Note PDF

» More information from Hemisphere GPS website

The post Application Notes appeared first on Inside GNSS - Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design.

Todd E. Humphreys, Jahshan A. Bhatti, (The University of Texas at Austin), Thomas Pany (IFEN GmbH), Brent M. Ledvina (Coherent Navigation), Brady W. O’Hanlon (Cornell University, Ithaca)
22st International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation ION GNSS 2009, 22-25 September 2009, Savannah, Georgia USA

iFEN published paper:
Exploiting Multicore Technology in Software-Defined GNSS Receivers

Todd E. Humphreys, Jahshan A. Bhatti, (The University of Texas at Austin), Thomas Pany (IFEN GmbH), Brent M. Ledvina (Coherent Navigation), Brady W. O’Hanlon (Cornell University, Ithaca)
22st International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation ION GNSS 2009, 22-25 September 2009, Savannah, Georgia USA

» White Paper PDF

NovAtel’s GL1DE Technology

GL1DE provides a relative pseudorange/delta-phase filter enhancement for the NovAtel OEMV firmware. Three sets of GL1DE test results are presented in this paper.

» White Paper PDF

» More information from NovAtel website

The post GNSS-Related Software appeared first on Inside GNSS - Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design.

CNS-5000/SPAN-CPT: Performance of a Deeply Coupled Commercial Grade GPS/INS System from KVH and NovAtel Inc.

This paper provides a preliminary performance assessment of the NovAtel-KVH GNSS/INS system. Results from real-world data are presented. The analysis focuses on signal tracking performance and the accuracy of the GPS/INS solution under favorable GPS conditions and under challenging GPS conditions.

CNS-5000/SPAN-CPT: Performance of a Deeply Coupled Commercial Grade GPS/INS System from KVH and NovAtel Inc.

This paper provides a preliminary performance assessment of the NovAtel-KVH GNSS/INS system. Results from real-world data are presented. The analysis focuses on signal tracking performance and the accuracy of the GPS/INS solution under favorable GPS conditions and under challenging GPS conditions.

» White Paper PDF

» More information from KVH website

Racelogic VBox: Noiseless Measurements — Integrating Inertial Sensors with GPS

Improving the measurement of vehicle dynamics by supplementing GPS signals with inertial sensors (G-sensors and Gyros), especially during times and in environments of poor satellite visibility. Includes sample results obtained from VBOX 3i 100Hz GPS datalogger.

» White Paper PDF

» More information from Racelogic website

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Topcon Quartz Lock Loop (QLL) For Robust GNSS Operation

All dynamic GNSS applications are subject to some degree of bumps, vibration and mechanical shock that can cause inaccurate measurements or complete satellite tracking failure due to impact on a receiver’s quartz crystal oscillator. In September 2012 Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) announced the release of firmware v4.0 introducing Quartz Lock Loop™ (QLL) technology on all Topcon OEM GNSS platforms. This paper discusses the effects of vibration, acceleration and shock on GNSS integrity, how QLL mitigates the effects for robust operation in any dynamic condition and compares performance of two industry competitors during a comprehensive vibration and shock test.

» White Paper PDF 

Septentrio on GNSS Interference

Because GPS and other satellite navigation signalsare very weak signals, they are relatively vulnerable to interference — a phenomenon where other (unwanted) signals disrupt the satellite navigation signals, causing reduced accuracy, or even the complete inability of the receiver to calculate a position. This white paper describes the basics and different types of interference of GPS/GNSS signals, the effect on the operation of a GPS receiver, and the unique solutions Septentrio has developed to monitor and eliminate the effects of harmful interference.

» White Paper PDF 

u-blox Multi-GNSS Receiver Technology

GPS has been around for 30 years, becoming the global de facto standard for navigation and positioning. This situation is rapidly changing. To reduce or eliminate the reliance on the U.S.-operated GPS satellite network for both government and civilian navigation and positioning systems, Russia, China, and the European Union are deploying their own parallel GNSS systems. Japan has also started to deploy a satellite augmentation designed to improve GPS performance in Japan and areas of Southeast Asia and Oceania. To address this expanding array of new GNSS systems, u-blox has introduced low-power, multi-GNSS capability into its newest generation satellite positioning platform u-blox 7.

» White Paper PDF 

Anti-Jamming Techniques in u-blox GPS receivers

A critical factor when selecting components for a GPS system is the receiver’s immunity to external interference or “jamming.” The ability to lock onto typically faint GPS signals in the presence of noise generated from other electronic devices has a large influence on the system’s ability to provide correct location data. The use of an advanced, proprietary adaptive digital filtering technology allows the u-blox 5 and u-blox 6 GPS positioning engines to overcome jamming signals up to 25 dB stronger than conventional GPS receivers can withstand. 

» White Paper PDF 

» More information from u-blox website

The post GNSS Chipsets/Modules appeared first on Inside GNSS - Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design.

Record and playback (RP) systems are increasingly popular in GNSS receivers’ test and validation process. For testing, we need a better understanding of the RP contribution to the tested receiver (UUT) raw measurements. This white paper shows how the performances of the RP are related to the measurements quality of the tested receiver. The analysis is based on actual tests of state of the art RP from Averna technologies and high grade GNSS receivers.

Averna: Record and Playback System for GNSS: Real Performances for Real Applications

Record and playback (RP) systems are increasingly popular in GNSS receivers’ test and validation process. For testing, we need a better understanding of the RP contribution to the tested receiver (UUT) raw measurements. This white paper shows how the performances of the RP are related to the measurements quality of the tested receiver. The analysis is based on actual tests of state of the art RP from Averna technologies and high grade GNSS receivers.

» White Paper PDF 

» More information from the Averna website

CAST Navigation: Guided Munitions Testing/JDAM

CAST Navigation recently demonstrated the capability to perform dynamic ground testing of GPS/INS guided munitions, including the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Extended Range Guided Munition (ERGM). The CAST 3000/JDAM Serial simulation environment provides coordinated GPS and inertial data to the weapon’s navigation systems simultaneously with the launch platform’s navigation system. This permits testing of the entire weapon system interface.

» White Paper PDF 

» More information from CAST Navigation website

National Instruments: GPS Receiver Testing

As GPS technology becomes more commonplace on the commercial market, many designers are working to improve characteristics such as lower power consumption, the tracking of weak satellites, faster acquisition times, and more accuracy position fixes. This document explains how to make a variety of GPS receiver measurements including sensitivity, noise figure, position accuracy, time to first fix, and position deviation.

» White Paper PDF

» More information from National Instruments website

Averna: Real-World Interference Impacts Analysis Using High Dynamic Range GNSS RF/IF Signals Record and Playback

Robustness consideration in GNSS receivers’ design and validation still represent a big challenge as multiple RF sources must coexist in an overloaded RF world. To complete the analysis of GNSS receivers’ performance in the presence of interferences and to have a better understanding of the interferences’ impacts on real-world GNSS signals, field tests are mandatory. Here, real GNSS and interference signals are first recorded with a multifrequency record and playback system and then postprocessed in order to analyze the GNSS signal degradation and to characterize the nature of the interferences.

» White Paper PDF

» More information from Averna website

The post Other GNSS-Related Lab & Test Equipment appeared first on Inside GNSS - Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design.

Cities represent particularly diffi cult conditions for satellite-based navigation systems as a result of obscuration and multipath propagation. So how does one ensure that a receiver is up to the challenge? This white paper discusses the challenges of GNSS design for real-world conditions and the functionality to look for when selecting GNSS test simulators.

» White Paper PDF

Real-World Tests for GNSS Receivers

Cities represent particularly diffi cult conditions for satellite-based navigation systems as a result of obscuration and multipath propagation. So how does one ensure that a receiver is up to the challenge? This white paper discusses the challenges of GNSS design for real-world conditions and the functionality to look for when selecting GNSS test simulators.

» White Paper PDF

» More information from the Rohde & Schwarz website

Spectracom – What is a GPS Simulator?

As GPS receivers are built into more mission-critical devices for difficult application environments, and designed with the emerging capabilities of a multitude of GNSS constellations and augmentation systems, developers and manufacturers need better ways to guarantee performance. That’s where a GPS simulator comes in.

» White Paper PDF

» More information at Spectracom website

Spirent: Testing Multipath Performance in GNSS Receivers

Reflected signals — for most GNSS applications, a troublesome and undesirable phenomenon. But exactly how does multipath affect GNSS receivers, what are the different types of multipath, and how do GNSS receiver designers mitigate its effects? This overview of nine different types of multipath describes how a GNSS simulator offers a practical capability to test multipath that is both accurate and repeatable in the controlled environment of the test laboratory.

» PDF

Spirent: Testing GNSS Receiver Design – Simulators Versus the Real World

The real world can be a beautiful and exciting place — but it’s not always the best environment for testing GNSS receiver designs. This eBook examines nine key tests that together measure the performance of any GNSS receiver and how simulators are an essential tool in evaluating this performance.

» PDF

Spirent – A Guide to GNSS Production Testing

Testing GNSS equipment designs and performance doesn’t end in the laboratory — or, at least, it shouldn’t end there. When the product moves into production, the objective becomes how to ensure that every single unit leaving the factory will perform exactly as it should. In the GNSS signal-challenged environment of a production facility, this is a job that simulators can handle.

» PDF

Spirent – The Role of Simulation in the Integration of GNSS Receivers

Many GNSS receivers are stand-alone devices. Increasingly, however, receivers are being integrated with other sensors and electronic equipment into completely new systems. A ready-made receiver sub-assembly may be slotted into the integrated system or a lower cost chipset may be used together with peripheral components, which will require considerably more engineering effort. Selecting the correct receiver for the job is only half the story. Integrating the receiver circuits with the other circuitry of the equipment is a whole other task, which the right simulator can help accomplish.

» PDF

Spirent: Test Solutions for Multi-GNSS Navigation and Positioning

Navigation and positioning technology is no longer just about GPS L1 C/A code. GPS is being modernized, the GLONASS constellation is nearly complete, new systems including QZSS, Galileo and Compass are on the way. Multi-GNSS offers significant opportunities and challenges to GNSS technology, system and application developers.

» White Paper PDF

» More information from Spirent website

National Instruments: The Case for GPS Simulation

For each of the many steps that a GPS receiver must go through in order to accurately provide position and timing information, errors are introduced. By testing each step in an isolated fashion and with controlled introductions of signal impairments, receiver designers can target their troubleshooting and invest in areas of the design that will offer the greatest returns.

» White Paper PDF

» More information from National Instruments website

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