As market demand for more accurate and resilient navigation technologies continues to grow, the industry is preparing for a new generation of satellite signals. Xona’s Pulsar low Earth orbit constellation is designed to complement existing global navigation satellite systems, such as GPS, by providing stronger signals, higher accuracy, and enhanced resilience against interference and other threats.

This capability will be introduced as a new software option for the R&S SMBV100B and R&S SMW200A vector signal generators. As the new constellation moves toward large-scale deployment, engineers and manufacturers will be able to test receiver compatibility with Pulsar signals. By incorporating Pulsar simulation into its portfolio of test solutions, R&S enables device developers and manufacturers to verify compatibility with emerging navigation services at an early stage.

Matt Hammond
Satellite Technology Manager, R&S North America

Navigation technology is entering a period of rapid development. By integrating Pulsar signal simulation into our signal generator portfolio, R&S is helping customers prepare for a new era of satellite navigation. Our goal is to provide scalable test infrastructure that supports these innovative technologies from research and development through to deployment.

Bryan Chan
Co-founder and Vice President of Strategy, Xona Space Systems

The Pulsar system is designed to upgrade global navigation infrastructure while maintaining compatibility with existing global satellite navigation equipment. As new signals enter service, test and measurement solutions will be essential for equipment manufacturers to evaluate compatibility. R&S’s extensive expertise in precision signal generation is helping turn this vision into reality.

The R&S SMBV100B and R&S SMW200A vector signal generators will soon join the Pulsar Certification Ecosystem Program, which certifies equipment and test solutions that have passed Pulsar signal compatibility verification. R&S demonstrated this test solution at the Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs from April 13 to 16.

About Xona

Xona is a navigation infrastructure company dedicated to delivering centimeter-level positioning accuracy to any device, anywhere in the world. Through Pulsar, its advanced low Earth orbit positioning, navigation and timing constellation, Xona will provide absolute precision positioning, built-in anti-jamming and anti-spoofing protection, and enhanced performance for the billions of devices that currently rely on GPS.