Qu’est que c’est ?

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a general term for a system that provides navigation and other services to users worldwide. Each GNSS employs a constellation of satellites, which broadcasts signals processed by GNSS receivers to determine location, speed, and time for users anywhere in the world. Examples of GNSS include GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo.

A GNSS simulator provides an effective and efficient means of testing GNSS receivers and the systems that rely on them.
A GNSS simulator provides control over the signals generated by GNSS constellations and over the global test environment all within a box, so that testing can be conducted in controlled laboratory conditions. GNSS simulators generate the same kinds of signals transmitted by GNSS satellites, thus GNSS receivers process the simulated signals in exactly the same way as signals from actual satellites.

In most cases a GNSS simulator provides a superior alternative for testing compared to using actual GNSS signals in a live environment. Unlike live testing, testing with simulators provides full control of the simulated satellite signals and the simulated environmental conditions. With a GNSS simulator, users can easily generate and run many different scenarios for diverse kinds of tests, with complete control over.

Date, time, and location
Simulators generate GNSS constellation signals for any location and time. Scenarios for any location around the world, or in space, with different times in the past, present, or future, can all be tested without leaving the laboratory.

Vehicle motion
Simulators model the motion of the vehicles such as aircraft, ships, or automobiles. Scenarios involving vehicle dynamics for different routes and trajectories anywhere in the world can all be tested without moving the equipment being tested.

Environmental conditions
Simulators model effects that impact GNSS receiver performance, such as atmospheric conditions, obscurations, multipath reflections, antenna characteristics, and interference signals. Various combinations and levels of these effects can all be tested in the same controlled laboratory environment.

Signal errors and inaccuracies
Simulators provide control over the content and characteristics of GNSS constellation signals. Tests can be run to determine how equipment would perform if various GNSS constellation signal errors occurred.