Europe Germany : With a new software option from Rohde & Schwarz, manufacturers of mobile devices with built-in GPS receivers can simulate and test all GPS scenarios and conformance test cases defined by the A-GPS (assisted GPS) protocol. The option is available for the R&S SMU200A and R&S SMATE200A vector signal generators as well as for the R&S AMU200A baseband signal generator. Inset is the R&S SMU200A.

To accelerate the accurate positioning of a GPS receiver after it has been switched on, A GPS-capable mobile devices simultaneously obtain navigation data both from the satellite and from a mobile radio network. Utilizing the mobile radio network can reduce initial positioning time from several minutes (in the worst case) to just a few seconds. This time advantage is truly useful in situations such as emergency calls.

The new A-GPS signal generator option from Rohde & Schwarz enables manufacturers to select the GPS scenarios specified for A-GPS conformance tests in just a few keystrokes. The signal generator is then configured automatically. In addition, manufacturers can easily and flexibly configure their own scenarios. Position, navigation data, and up to eight satellites can be configured to meet individual requirements. To simulate moving receivers, manufacturers can define the route to be traveled utilizing popular mapping applications such as Google Earth®, and then store the data in the signal generator.

In addition to standard-compliant A-GPS conformance tests, manufacturers can also make measurements such as Go/No-Go tests or sensitivity tests. Go/No-Go tests verify whether a GPS receiver can determine its position correctly. Sensitivity tests check the minimum power at which a GPS receiver can detect the satellite.

The R&S SMU200A, R&S SMATE200A, and R&S AMU200A signal generators are the only instruments presently on the market that can generate both mobile radio signals and GPS signals in realtime. Manufacturers can therefore test the normal functionality of their mobile phones as well as the positioning function of their GPS receiver by using just one instrument.

To generate the signals of up to eight satellites, the following test setup is required: one signal generator with two basebands, two GPS options (R&S SMU-/R&S SMATE-/R&S AMU-K44), and the A-GPS option. The setup also requires a protocol tester such as the R&S CRTU, which simulates the mobile radio connection required for A-GPS. Control data is exchanged between the signal generator and the protocol tester.

The A-GPS option R&S SMU-/R&S SMATE-/R&S AMU-K65 is now available from Rohde & Schwarz.