The influx of professional and consumer GPS products in the electronics and automotive markets has led to a demand for efficient and accurate validation through GPS simulators. However, one of the problems with GPS simulation until now has been the inability to accurately reproduce real world conditions. The need to understand the effects of phenomena such as multipath reflections, atmospheric effects, and drop-outs on GPS devices has therefore meant that products must be taken out into the field and laboriously tested. Because conditions are always changing, there is little consistency between tests.
With the ability to record, replay, and simulate GPS RF data, Racelogic’s new LabSat can change GPS device test and development. Initially developed to provide an in-house solution for testing and calibrating Racelogic’s VBOX products, LabSat proved to have far more potential. Its capacity to record and replay real world data means that common conditions can be faithfully reproduced on the test bench, time after time. Connecting to a PC via USB 2.0, LabSat records raw signals from a GPS antenna directly to hard disk, with no limitations on the number of satellites being tracked or the length of the recording. When the data is replayed, a GPS engine will faithfully recreate the movement and satellite reception encountered during the test, including all original multipath, satellite obstructions, and atmospheric effects.
Alternatively, if data without artefacts is needed, anywhere in the world, dynamic scenarios can be simulated using the optional included LabSat Signal Architect software. In addition, optional IMU modules allow recording data from inertial sensors and replaying them at the same time, perfectly synchronized with GPS.
With all features incorporated in one box, LabSat is portable. For ease of use, it comes bundled with a 250 GB USB drive with preloaded recordings included. Learn more.
RACELOGIC Ltd, Buckingham, England
Email: sales@racelogic.co.uk
Website: www.racelogic.co.uk