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E4438C/E8267D Option 423 Scenario Generator for GPS

Technical Overviews

Create GPS Scenarios with Ease

The Option 423 scenario generator software enhances the functionality of the Global Positioning System (GPS) personality (Option 409) for the E4438C ESG and E8267D PSG vector signal generators by providing the ability to create custom scenario files for real-time playback using Option 409. The scenario generator allows users to specify the location, date, time, and duration for a GPS scenario. Static scenarios can be created to simulate a stationary GPS receiver, and dynamic scenarios can be created to simulate a moving GPS receiver. Up to eight satellite signals can be included. The software also provides an antenna pattern gain mask that can be applied to the GPS signals. The software is available as a free download, allowing you to investigate the features of the scenario generator, create and save scenario files, or download them to an E4438C or E8267D signal generator. The signal generator must have licenses for Option 423 (or Option 422 which is replaced by Option 423) and 409 in order to use the scenario files created by the software.

Key Features

  • Simulate up to 8 satellites
  • Specify scenario location, start date and time, and duration
  • Create scenarios with durations of up to 24 hours
  • Generate scenarios for stationary and moving GPS receivers
  • Input NMEA (GGA format) data for dynamic scenario generation
  • Use tropospheric and ionospheric modeling for 3GPP W-CDMA and cdma2000® test cases
  • Apply elevation mask to control satellite visibility
  • Automatically or manually select satellites to include in a scenario
  • Specify and apply an antenna pattern gain mask
  • Edit scenarios:
  • Delete channel
  • Apply power offset
  • Equalize power in all satellites
  • Trim scenario length
  • Visualize scenario edit results using the scenario graphics display
  • Output A-GPS assistance data and ephemeris files for each scenario
  • Download scenario files directly to E4438C or E8267D via LAN connection or save files to PC
  • Save/recall scenario settings file or antenna pattern file

Scenario Creation

Easily create both stationary and moving GPS receiver scenarios up to 24 hours in length for any date, time and location with Option 423 scenario generator software. To create a stationary scenario, the software requires the date, time, location (longitude, latitude, and altitude), duration, and an almanac file in the YUMA format. The almanac file is available from the URL: (http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=gpsAlmanacs. Creating a dynamic scenario for a moving GPS receiver requires trajectory information in the form of an NMEA GGA format file, in addition to the almanac file. Available parameters for scenario creation include elevation mask angle and ionospheric and tropospheric atmospheric modeling. The elevation mask allows you to select only those satellites that are above a certain angle above the horizon. The ionospheric model (choice of Klobuchar model for W-CDMA or cdma2000) and tropospheric model (NATO) parameters are put into the GPS navigation message, and the GPS signal is impaired according to these settings. The number of leap seconds can also be modified.

Channel packing

The E4438C/E8267D Option 409 GPS personality simulates up to a maximum of eight satellite channels. There may be situations where more than eight satellites are visible to a GPS receiver. In these cases, some choices need to be made regarding which satellites should be included in the scenario. This function is referred to as channel packing and the software offers a choice of automatic or manual channel packing. In automatic channel packing mode, the software selects the satellites that result in the least number of transitions between satellites during the scenario. In manual channel packing mode, the software displays a Satellite Visibility view that allows the user to select which satellites to delete for each time span where more than eight satellites are present.

Antenna pattern gain mask

In a static scenario, the software lets the user define an antenna pattern gain mask using a simple graphical user interface, as shown in the figure below. The software applies this gain mask to the GPS signal. For the gain mask, the user can define the resolution for the elevation and azimuth, and an azimuth rotation to apply to the pattern. This gain mask can also be used to simulate the effects of obstructions in the environment.

Assisted GPS (A-GPS) File Generation

For A-GPS applications, the software can accept an ephemeris file for use in scenario generation. It can also output the corresponding A-GPS parameter file and ephemeris file for each scenario. These files can be used with an E4438C signal generator in the Keysight Technologies, Inc. GS-9000 Lite or GS-9000 Standard A-GPS design verification test systems.

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