LabSat

LabSat will work with almost any commercially available GPS receiver, such as those found in Satellite Navigation devices, Mobile Phones, hand held GPS receivers and OEM type boards. (Note that LabSat re-produces the civilian L1 signal, but not the military L2 signal or the Russian Glonass system which are used on high end survey equipment).

LabSat can be connected either directly via an RF connector, or a re-radiating antenna can be used for products with an internal GPS antenna. There are a number of applications in which LabSat can improve the quality and scope of testing, as well as saving a significant amount of time and effort.

GPS engine development

Using LabSat in the development phase of a GPS engine can bring a number of benefits. By using scenarios collected from around the world, the correct functioning of the algorithms can be checked for all target markets. Scenarios recorded with satellite obstructions can be used to check the operation in poor satellite visibility, and tests can be repeated to check for consistency. Very high dynamic scenarios can also be used to check and tune the operation of the system under extreme conditions.

As an increasing amount of products are being developed with GPS capability, engineers are discovering that record and replay can lead to shorter development cycles and a reduction in field testing.

By incorporating a flexible range of external signals in the data-recording, LabSat can also replay other inputs into the system as a whole, allowing complete 'hardware in the loop' testing using the same synchronised time source. Modules are available for Digital, Serial (RS232, RS422 and RS485) and CAN logging and an analogue module will be available soon. A typical application is the testing of an instrument display which utilises GPS data, gyro data, wind speed data and engine information, for example. With the right kind of module setup, a flight/drive test can be recorded, and then all of the signals reproduced on the bench for a full simulation. LabSat is also supplied with an library application (OLE server) which can be accessed directly from your own application software, allowing LabSat to be incorporated into your custom test environment.

By using an RF splitter on the output, LabSat can be used to test multiple products at the end of the production line. Traditionally, single channel simulators are used due to the lower cost compared with multiple channel simulators. However, LabSat allows a full satellite constellation to be used, which enables a repeatable 'time to first fix' test to be carried out which is preferable to tracking single satellites.

The cost of a 'Replay Only' LabSat is about the same as a traditional single satellite simulator, but with much more functionality, making it an attractive and very credible alternative.

If you take a GPS based product to a show, or to a customer, it is often difficult to demonstrate the full functionality in a controlled environment. By using LabSat, the product can be used inside and operated in a predictable manner, giving you more time and scope in your demonstration.