u-blox demos performance of Galileo chipsets with Spirent’s multi-GNSS solution

SUNNYVALE, USA & THALWIL, SWITZERLAND: u-blox, a leading fabless semiconductor provider of embedded positioning and wireless communication solutions has purchased Spirent’s multi-GNSS solution to demonstrate the performance of its new Galileo chipset.

Using Spirent’s GSS6700 Multi-Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) constellation simulator system, u-blox showcased the attributes of its latest GPS/Galileo receiver to a number of its Japanese customers.

Leading chipset manufacturers are increasing their investment in developing and testing Galileo technology-based solutions and GNSS simulators play an important role in all aspects of research and development.

Simulators also provide the best approach to testing when satellites are not available. u-blox, a Spirent customer since 2004, continues to leverage the test and measurement leader’s GNSS testing experience and position as an official supplier of RF Constellation Simulators (RFCS) for the Galileo program.

Tesshu Naka, u-blox’s Japan country manager, said: “The ability to demonstrate u-blox Galileo-ready technology before the satellites are available is a convincing argument in favor of u-blox GPS receivers. We are pleased that Spirent’s industry leading GNSS simulator makes this possible.”

Only simulators can fully test partially deployed GNSS constellations such as Galileo and QZSS, and future signals such as L5 and L2C on GPS. Until recently, most testing focused on GPS but with GLONASS operating at near full strength and Galileo and Compass around the corner, testing multi-GNSS capabilities on chipsets and navigation devices is becoming critical to verify performance and ensure there are no inter-operability issues.

“Spirent is seeing an increasingly positive attitude to Galileo, following several Galileo system procurement announcements made earlier this year,” said John Pottle, marketing director at Spirent’s positioning unit. “The industry is starting to believe in Galileo again and we are seeing that confidence translate into investment decisions in Spirent multi-GNSS solutions.”