July 17, 2012 – BUSINESS WIRE — Spirent Communications, which develops ways to test positioning, navigation and communications technologies, launched its new SimSENSOR sensor simulation software for micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS). The software enables R&D technicians to test sensor fusion algorithms in navigation systems that include MEMS inertial sensors and multi-GNSS.
The product supports test on algorithms with inputs from various sensors, including accelerometers, gyroscope, magnetometer, digital compass and barometric height sensors. SimSENSOR works in tandem with Spirent’s multi-GNSS constellation simulators by simulating MEMS sensor outputs on a common trajectory with the simulated GNSS signals. Trajectories made by representative human motion gestures, such as arm movements, are included with SimSENSOR. Representative MEMS noise models and errors such as bias and drift are also included and are available under user control.
Sensor fusion is increasingly used to enable new applications, such as indoor positioning, said Rahul Gupta, product manager with Spirent’s Positioning Technology business. SimSENSOR enables accelerated, lab-based R&D for sensor fusion development. Sensor fusion and device test was one of the topics of concern in the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) 2012 update at SEMICON West last week.
Spirent has extensive experience of test systems for blended GPS-inertial technology. In 2007, Spirent launched SimINERTIAL to test inertial navigation systems involving high grade GPS/inertial units suitable for military applications. SimSENSOR benefits from the experience gained by Spirent, in particular in relation to ensuring coherency and stability between GNSS and simulated sensor output streams.
Spirent Communications plc. (LSE:SPT) is a global leader in test & measurement used to test data centers, cloud computing and virtualized environments, high speed Ethernet networks and services, 3G/4G wireless networks and devices, network and application security, and positioning technologies. For more information, visit http://www.spirent.com.
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