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Rohde & Schwarz has added Pulsar signal simulation to its signal generator portfolio, giving device manufacturers a route to test receivers for Xona’s planned low Earth orbit (LEO) navigation service. The capability is aimed at production and validation environments as the industry prepares for satellite navigation signals beyond conventional GNSS.

For eeNews Europe readers, the update is relevant because resilient positioning, navigation and timing is becoming more important in automotive, industrial, aerospace and critical infrastructure systems. It also shows how test equipment is adapting as LEO-based navigation moves closer to commercial deployment.

Pulsar signal simulation supports GNSS evolution

Xona’s Pulsar constellation is designed to complement existing GNSS systems such as GPS, rather than replace them. The LEO-based service is intended to provide stronger signals, improved accuracy and better resilience against interference and other threats.

Rohde & Schwarz will make Pulsar signal simulation available as a software option for the R&S SMBV100B and R&S SMW200A vector signal generators. This gives engineers a way to check receiver compatibility with Pulsar signals before the constellation reaches wider commercial scale.

“Navigation technology is entering a period of rapid evolution,” said Matt Hammond, North America Satellite Technology Manager, Rohde & Schwarz. “By adding Pulsar signal simulation to our signal generator portfolio, Rohde & Schwarz is preparing our customers for the next evolution of satellite navigation. Our goal is to provide the scalable test infrastructure needed to bring these innovations from development into deployment.”

LEO navigation testing moves toward production

The addition of Pulsar signal simulation reflects a broader need for repeatable test environments as navigation devices become more dependent on multi-constellation and interference-resilient architectures. For manufacturers, the ability to simulate emerging signals can potentially reduce development risk and support earlier compatibility checks.

“Pulsar is designed to upgrade the global navigation infrastructure while remaining compatible with GNSS devices already in use today,” said Bryan Chan, Co-Founder and VP of Strategy at Xona Space Systems. “Test and measurement solutions play an important role in enabling device manufacturers to evaluate compatibility as new signals become available. Rohde & Schwarz brings deep expertise in precision signal generation that helps make this possible.”

The R&S SMBV100B and R&S SMW200A vector signal generators are also expected to join Pulsar’s verified ecosystem programme, which recognises devices and test solutions validated for compatibility with Pulsar signals.

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