Instruction Manual LabSat Dual Constellation GNSS Simulator
Contents Contents .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Operation ...........................................................................................
Introduction The LabSat is a dedicated Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal simulator with RF record and playback facilities, enabling real world GPS & Galileo testing to take place in the laboratory. The LabSat is small and rugged, allowing it to be used in the field to continuously record the RF GPS/Galileo signal in a digital form which can then be replayed at a later date. LabSat is ideal for almost any kind of GPS development, e.g.
Operation Depending on model type, the LabSat is able to record RF data directly from an active antenna and store the data on a hard drive or generate GNSS RF signals from data stored on a hard drive. There are two RF ports on the LabSat these are marked ANTENNA and RF OUT. The ANTENNA socket is used to connect an active GPS antenna when recording data. During recording, the RF OUTPUT port is switched off to ensure that it does not interfere with the recorded data.
LabSat Equipment Standard equipment Part Number RLLSx01 LS01 LSHDD01 RLVBACS020 RLCAB042 RLCAB112 RLCAB010L RLVBACS001 RLACS154 RLCAB071-1 RLCAB082-1 RLCAB083-1 RLCAB084-1 CDRLLS2 LS01MAN RLLSCAL Description LabSat Main Unit LabSat Scenario Hard Disk Drive 250GB USB Drive Mains Power Supply USB ‘A’ to USB ‘B’ Lead - 2m USB - 5 Way LEMO Serial Cable Power Cable - 2 Way LEMO to vehicle 12V socket GPS Magnetic Mount Active Antenna (not applicable to replay-only LabSat ) LabSat Carry Case RG174 - 1M (SMA Plug
Connector overview Connector USB PWR AD1 AD2 D OUT Description High speed USB 2.
PC Requirements The LabSat uses a USB 2.0 HI-SPEED interface for data transfer. Minimum recommended specification for the desktop or laptop PC to be used with the LabSat. Intel® Core2™ Duo 1.6GHz 1GB RAM 500GB Hard Drive Microsoft Windows® XP, Windows Vista®, Windows® 7 and Windows 8. Microsoft .net Framework Minimum recommended specification for the desktop or laptop PC to be used with SatGen software. Intel® Core2™ Duo 1.
Connecting LabSat USB and installing drivers Prior to powering up LabSat for the first time the USB cable should be connected, this allows the correct configuration of the USB connection from LabSat to the computer. When the USB is connected for the first time you will need to follow the instructions below. NB: The order in which the connections are made is important. 1. Connect the USB A to B cable between the LabSat and the computer.
Software Overview The LabSat software is used to control record or replay functions of the LabSat. The picture below shows the LabSat Record screen.
LabSat Settings Menu The LabSat software can be used to control LabSat hardware, as well as the multi-GNSS LabSat 2. When a LabSat is connected to the PC the LabSat software will auto-detect the type of hardware connected and configure LabSat correctly. In the example shown, left, a LabSat Record and Replay unit has been connected to the PC. The LabSat software has been started and the Settings menus accessed. LabSat is a single channel GNSS Replay and/or Record Simulator.
The Upgrade Button is used for specific software upgrades such as input of data to allow for a Replay Only LabSat to be set up for a limited rental record period. Please contact Racelogic or your LabSat distributer for details. Note: The Upgrade Button is not to be used for firmware upgrades.
Recording GPS Data with LabSat NB: Applicable to RLLSC01 and RLLSR01 LabSat Models Only The GPS antenna supplied with the LabSat is a 3.3V active antenna with 28dB gain. For the best possible signal quality, it is important to maintain a clean connection between the antenna and the LabSat. Before fixing the antenna to the LabSat, ensure that there are no dust particles in either connector. Replacement antennas are available by contacting LabSat or your LabSat distributor.
The LabSat is set up according to the diagram opposite. 1. Connect power to the LabSat. 2. Connect the Active GPS antenna to the RF IN port of the LabSat. 3. Connect the high speed USB cable to the computer on which the Scenario data file is to be recorded. It is possible to connect an external USB drive to the computer and stream the recorded file directly onto this drive. 4. Start the LabSat software.
7. Click the Record Button. The REC Light on the front panel of LabSat will start to flash, indicating that LabSat is recording GNSS RF data. 8. As the LabSat begins to record data the Duration timer will indicate the length of scenario recorded and the Filesize will begin to increase. 9. During Record, the Buffer display may be selected, to show that the buffer is not becoming overloaded. The illuminated bar graph indicates buffer level and there is also a moving line graph showing buffer level over time.
10. The Advanced Recording Control allows users to pre-select either a fixed recording time or a fixed recording file size. The default option is continuous recording. In the example, below, a fixed scenario time of 2 minutes 10 seconds has been selected. The scenario record time may also be limited by selecting a maximum file size for the recorded scenario. Buffer Status Buffer Display Fixed Time Recording selector Advanced Recording Control Fixed File Size Recording selector 11.
NB: Satellite Lock There is no ‘acquisition time’ as such when recording data with the LabSat 2 as it is recording the complete RF signal rather than tracking individual satellites. However, when recording data, we recommend that you allow around 5 - 10 minutes of stationary recording in an open location with good unrestricted visibility of the entire sky before moving off.
Replaying GPS Data with LabSat NB: Applicable to RLLSP01 and RLLSR01 LabSat Models. Any LabSat unit can replay a recorded scenario file to any connected GNSS device capable of receiving the L1 GPS/Galileo signal. NB: LabSat is designed for direct connection to a GNSS receiver via a suitably screened cable. If testing is to be performed on GNSS equipment without an external antenna connection, it is the responsibility of the user to ensure that this is done in a fully RF screened environment.
Replay Mode Browse Button Progress Bar Info Button Play Button 9. The progress bar gives a visual indication of the current progress through the scenario file being replayed. 10. The total duration of the scenario selected, and the progress of the scenario replay are also shown on the LabSat software, above. 11. The replay of the file can be stopped and restarted by pressing the ‘Stop’ button then the ‘Play’ button at any point during Playback. 12.
the LabSat signal at 0dB then increase the attenuation slider by 0.5dB at a time and replay the file. It is also advisable to cold start the GPS device under test after starting each replay to clear any almanac data that the GNSS engine may have stored. Advanced Playback Control Attenuation Control Slider 13.
Replay progress Advance Playback Control Repeat Type Setting Control Slider 14. The Advanced Playback Control also allows users to define a specific start point, end point, or duration of a scenario. In the example shown previously the scenario is set to start 28 seconds from the beginning, and the end point has been set to 1 minute 50 seconds into the scenario, giving a total scenario replay time of 1 minute 22 seconds.
advance the replay start point. By combining the ‘Start Point’ and ‘End Point’ or ‘Length’ functions, it is possible to select a particular time segment out of any given scenario. Note: At least 30 seconds of constant satellite data is required for the receiver to collect the necessary data to use that satellite so choose sections of the recording with good view of the sky to reflect the real world situation when commencing replaying a section of the scenario. 15.
LabSat Scenario file recorded at the same time as the video Start and Stop the synchronised LabSat and video VBOX files Video VBOX File replay is synchronised with the LabSat scenario replay Video Replay Click on screen to expand to full screen size Sync time difference The video VBOX video shown in the software can be expanded by clicking on it to the full screen size of the computer screen. 17. Click Stop, to halt replay of GNSS RF data and the video replay.
Converting LabSat 2 Scenarios to run on LabSat LabSat uses a binary Intermediate Frequency, to down convert GPS RF data into a binary file, whereas LabSat 2 stores GNSS RF data as an IQ binary file. This means that existing LabSat scenarios cannot be run natively on a LabSat 2 or vice versa. Racelogic has therefore developed a conversion utility which allows LabSat users to perform a one-time conversion of existing LabSat 2 scenarios into the LabSat *.bin format or LabSat scenarios into the LabSat 2 *.
SatGen Software SatGen v2 software is a powerful tool for defining and creating RF playback scenario files for use with the LabSat Simulator. For many applications LabSat can record and playback real world, live sky data, but there may be times when you need a more controlled, user definable signal. When this is the case, SatGen v2 provides all of the tools necessary to create a predictable, stable and accurate output from LabSat.
Interface Modules During recording, the LabSat monitors the digital input pin, precisely recording the event time of LOW to HIGH or HIGH to LOW transitions. The event times are synchronised to the recorded GPS data with a resolution of around 60nS. As data is replayed with the LabSat, any digital event markers in the data are used to drive the digital output to re-create the original event signal.
Video Synchronisation A unique feature of LabSat is the ability to synchronise RF data recording with video from the optional Racelogic Video VBOX GPS data logger. To record video, the Racelogic Video VBOX is simply placed in the test vehicle at the same time as LabSat. The Video VBOX contains its own high performance GPS engine for time stamping the video so that the RF data can be synchronised with the video when replayed on the bench.
A new video (AVI) and data (VBO) file are created in a ‘media’ folder on the SD card or USB device every time the vehicle begins to move or the ‘REC’ button is pressed. The current files are closed when the vehicle comes to a stop or the ‘REC’ button is pressed again. The filename format is as follows: VBOX####.VBO, and VBOX####.AVI, where #### represents an incrementing number. Both files are required to play back the recorded video, synchronised to the Labsat GPS data.
To replay a LabSat scenario, synchronised with video playback, you must first make sure that the VBOX####.VBO, and VBOX####.AVI are in the same folder. The LabSat scenario file #####.bin can be located in any location To run the Video VBOX synchronisation demonstration: 1. First start the LabSat software and ensure that the GPS monitor function is enabled and the Video Sync is ticked in the Settings menu. Note the compatibility mode if playback difficulties are encountered with future recordings.
Troubleshooting Guide USB Installation failure Due to the nature of USB communications, the installation of the USB drivers may occasionally fail at various stages. Should this happen the procedure should be repeated three or four times if necessary, prior to requesting technical support.
LabSat Specifications Output Signal Level Adjustable -85dBm to -115dBm Output Signal frequency 1575.420 MHz Sampling frequency 16.368MHz Bandwidth 4.092Mhz Quantisation 1 bit USB transfer rate 2.046Mbytes per second Active Antenna Voltage Supply 3.3v Reference Oscillator 16.368MHz Temperature controlled +/-0.5 ppm Long term stability +/-1.0ppm Optional OCXO Oscillator 16.368MHz Oven Controlled +/-0.
Connector Pinout Data Front View of LabSat 2 pin LEMO socket Revision 13 3 pin LEMO socket Page 31 of 35 5 pin LEMO socket
Connector 1: POWER PIN In/Out 1 I 2 I Type: LEMO 2 pin Description Power + Ground Connector 2: AD 1 PIN In/Out 1 I 2 I 3 I Type: LEMO 3 pin Description Analogue 1 Input Digital 2 Input Ground Range 0V to 5V 0V to 5V Connector 3: AD 2 PIN In/Out 1 I 2 I 3 I Type: LEMO 3 pin Description Analogue 2 Input Digital 1 Input Ground Range 0V to 5V 0V to 5V Connector 4: DIG Out PIN In/Out 1 I 2 O Type: LEMO 3 pin Description Ground Digital Out 1 3 Revision 13 O Digital Out 2 Page 32 of 35 Range 5.
Connector 5: CAN Bus IN In/Out 1 O 2 I 3 I/O Type: LEMO 5 pin Description RS232 Tx (PORT B) RS232 Rx (PORT B) CAN Bus High (PORT A) 4 I/O CAN Bus Low (PORT A) 5 O +V Power Connector 6: RS232 SER PIN In/Out 1 O 2 I 3 I 4 O 5 O Type: LEMO 5 pin Description RS232 Tx (PORT A) RS232 Rx (PORT A) Digital Input 1 Digital Output 1 +V Power Range 12v 12v Reserved for future use Reserved for future use Same as Power + Range 12v 12v 0V to 5V 0V to 5V Same as Power + Antenna connectors: RF OUT and Antenn
Module Dimensions Revision 13 Page 34 of 35
Contact Details Racelogic Ltd Unit 10 Swan Business Centre Osier Way Buckingham Buckinghamshire MK18 1TB United Kingdom Email: Web: Support: labsat@racelogic.co.uk www.labsat.co.uk support@racelogic.co.uk Document Version Control Revision 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Description First Release. AM LabSat PIN Configuration Corrected. Section Removed Additional details added Addition of Digital In/Out 1 to SER connector.
