Alternative PNT

Alternative PNT

LEO PNT

PNT X: All-in-one alternative PNT

In addition to advanced navigation warfare capabilities, Spirent’s 6th generation simulation system, PNT X, natively implements all of the alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities discussed below.

PNT X simplifies the test environment through automation and better user experience, allowing more testing in less time with fewer resources.

Contact us to find out if PNT X or another of our fielded solutions is right for your test application.

Xona PULSAR X1 and X5 production signals simulated by SimXona, Spirent simulator

Low Earth orbit (LEO) PNT

Spirent supports LEO PNT constellations for both defense and commercial applications. For defense use cases, SimAltNav enables the concurrent testing of alternative RF navigation signals with GNSS.

Embedded in PNT X, LEO orbit models automate complex gravitational effects and LEO satellite parameters, such as drag coefficient, mass and cross-section area, making scenarios easier to generate and more realistic.

Xona PULSAR LEO PNT

Xona Space Systems is developing PULSAR, a high-performance positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) service built on LEO small satellites.

Spirent has successfully implemented PULSAR production signals, X1 & X5, into the existing SimXona product line allowing test & integration of PULSAR signals now, before operational deployment of the constellation. SimXona is the only Xona-certified solution.

S-band Frequency

S-Band frequency

Future proof your test environment with PNT X’s S-band software-defined radios (SDR) for testing beyond L-band frequency.
PNT X provides native RF generation for burgeoning LEO, regional GNSS, and lunar S-band applications.

Sensor Fusion

Sensor fusion testing

Emulate inertial navigation systems (INS), inertial measurement units (IMUs), and other non-GNSS sensors coherently in the lab. When developing a positioning engine or integrating an EGI (embedded GPS/INS), a realistic simulation platform is key to ensure integration performance and accelerate time-to-market.

SimINERTIAL covers integrations with navigation and tactical grades INS and IMU used in military applications.

Signals of Opportunity

Signals of opportunity

Cell towers and radio/TV towers provide signals of opportunity (SOOP)—RF signals designed for communications such as the 5G cellular network—that can be used for positioning and timing.

While SOOP show potential for future development in layered PNT solutions, comprehensive testing is needed to ensure resilience and interoperability. Spirent provides several solutions for testing signals of opportunity, from simulation with PNT X to live-sky record and playback.

User-defined Signals

Custom, user-defined signals

Achieve new levels of realism simulating signals broadcast to and from LEO satellites.

Test experimental constellations with embedded LEO satellite models used in conjunction with native custom waveform generation capabilities in PNT X.

Real-time simulation of user-defined PNT signals are generated alongside standard GNSS constellations.

Spatial awareness for novel signals

I/Q-defined transmitters have become an effective way to simulate novel PNT signals, but I/Q data may not account for the inherent characteristics of a dynamic scenario.

The PNT X I/Q spatial awareness capability models the transmitter-to-receiver relative motion and superimposes signal effects onto I/Q data.

This solution enhances the realism of I/Q-defined transmitters and can be used with the 3D terrain obscuration and multipath feature to simulate rich RF environments.

Why Spirent

Flexible SDR architecture

PNT X has an SDR architecture that can meet the greater signal capacity required by LEO constellations. It allows you to design scenarios with more signals, generating a more complex and richer RF environment.

This purpose-designed, powerful architecture delivers accuracy, fidelity, and low latency that guarantees truthful test results.

Spirent Expertise and Support

Across 5 decades, Spirent experts have been at the forefront of PNT simulation. Continuous investments in R&D drive innovation and advance the latest initiatives in alternative PNT. Spirent has a proven track record of being first-to-market with new test capabilities.

Our support team delivers results and helps you achieve your objectives. Contact us to find out more.


Beyond GNSS: An introduction to alternative PNT

GNSS plus alternative PNT testing for additional robustness and precision

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GSS6450 Simulation Product

GSS6450

RF record & playback system for GNSS & alternative PNT signals

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Xona PULSAR X1 and X5 production signals simulated by SimXona, Spirent simulator

Spirent Accepting Orders for Certified Xona PULSAR™ Production Signals Simulator

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, (June 6, 2024) – Spirent has successfully implemented Xona Space Systems’ PULSAR™ production signals for seamless integration into the existing SimXona product line. Xona and Spirent have collaborated closely and are proud to announce that the PULSAR™ X1 production signal implementation has successfully passed a diligent Xona certification. The PULSAR™ X5 […]

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