Hexagon | NovAtel receivers successfully track Xona PULSAR LEO signal generated by Spirent simulator

(Calgary, Canada, June 8, 2023) – Hexagon | NovAtel announced a successful test demonstrating their OEM7 GNSS receivers track Xona Space Systems PULSAR signals generated by a Spirent Communications simulator. This test shows that NovAtel GNSS receivers can track a Spirent simulated L-band signal identical to the PULSAR signal broadcast by Xona’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The Xona LEO signals will complement GNSS, improving resiliency, security and precision for positioning, navigation and timing (PNT).

“Using Spirent’s simulated PULSAR signal, we have successfully tested our receiver’s capability to track the L-band signal planned to be broadcast from Xona’s LEO satellites,” said Sandy Kennedy, VP of innovation at Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division. “The OEM7 is a powerful platform, designed for both resiliency and flexibility; it is exciting to test our forethought by trialling this new signal type.”

“Congratulations to NovAtel for achieving such an important milestone in resilient and alternative PNT," stated Jan Ackermann, director of product line management at Spirent Communications. “Spirent’s flexible architecture facilitated the quick implementation of Xona signals into our PNT test environment, enabling a first-to-market solution. Spirent will continue to prioritise collaborating with leaders in PNT, like Hexagon and Xona, so users can accelerate the development and deployment of their next-gen technology.”

“NovAtel has a proven history of being early adopters to new positioning technologies,” said Kennedy. “LEO satellite positioning is an exciting opportunity for PNT innovation, particularly around autonomous applications.”

Join us Thursday, June 15 at the ION Joint Navigation Conference (JNC) where we will co-present “Testing of LEO PNT for Resilience in GNSS Contested Environments.”

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About Hexagon

Hexagon is a global leader in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, quality and safety across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, public sector, and mobility applications.

Our technologies are shaping production and people-related ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future.

NovAtel, part of Hexagon, is a global technology leader, pioneering end-to-end solutions for assured positioning for land, sea, and air. NovAtel designs, manufactures and sells high precision positioning technology developed for efficient and rapid integration. Its solutions are empowering intelligent positioning ecosystems in vital industries that depend on the ability to tackle the most complex challenges in the most demanding environments. Learn more at novatel.com.

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.2bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.

About Spirent

Spirent Communications plc. (LSE: SPT) is the leading global provider of automated test and assurance solutions for networks, cybersecurity, and positioning. The company provides innovative products, services and managed solutions that address the test, assurance and automation challenges of a new generation of technologies, including 5G, SD-WAN, cloud, autonomous vehicles and beyond. From the lab to the real world, Spirent helps companies deliver on their promise to their customers of a new generation of connected devices and technologies. For more information, please visit www.spirent.com.