Spirent Communications has announced that SimXona, its Xona satellite constellation simulator, has been fully certified by Xona Space Systems. Xona is developing PULSAR, a commercial positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) service built on a backbone of low earth orbit (LEO) small satellites. Xona’s patented high-powered smallsat signals will improve PNT resilience and accuracy by augmenting global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), such as GPS, while operating with an independent navigation and timing system architecture.
Spirent will launch SimXona at the ION Joint Navigation Conference, June 12-15, 2023, in San Diego, California.
Commenting on the launch, Bryan Chan, co-founder and vice president of business development, Xona, said, “Xona launched the first-ever dedicated LEO PNT satellite into orbit in May 2022, allowing our next-gen technology to be utilized, but live-sky testing is only available for a few minutes per day. Since the full constellation takes time to deploy, Spirent signal simulators are vital for developers and integrators. Spirent has been a valued partner as they have prioritised providing a trusted test solution for OEMs who want to integrate Xona signals now. Spirent’s flexible software-defined architecture enabled a quick and robust implementation, and we were impressed by the results of our certification.”
Meanwhile, Rob VanBrunt, president/chief executive officer, Spirent Federal, said, “Spirent’s dedication to innovation is underscored by our partnership with Xona. With Xona’s formative advancements in LEO PNT in the commercial sphere, and ongoing GPS moderniwation efforts, it is an exciting time for those of us whose core mission is to optimise and secure PNT. The options for layered PNT solutions are growing—along with the need for interference and NAVWAR testing—and Spirent’s purpose-built equipment is meeting these expanding requirements through unrivalled performance and interoperability. Deterministic simulation unique to Spirent solutions ensures fidelity is never compromised and test results are accurate.”
SimXona can simulate the Xona LEO constellation today—on its own, and in concert with Spirent’s comprehensive PNT and threat simulation capabilities. Spirent has developed LEO simulation solutions for both the military and commercial sectors, including modelling software that combines the simulation of precise LEO orbits and highly accurate GNSS signals, delivering greater realism for applications that have no margin for error.
