Testing of RF input of Teseo-VIC3DA GNSS module

[eDesigner]

We would like to test if the Teseo-VIC3DA module and its corresponding RF connector have been soldered correctly on the carrier board in production environment. For this it would be easiest to just apply a 1575.42 MHz continuous wave signal (un-modulated L1 carrier) to the RF connector and read out the receive signal strength from the Teseo-VIC3DA module. However, in the "Teseo-VIC3 software instructions" documentation we could not find any command for reading receive signal strength within receiver bandwidth.

Is there a method to test the module's RF input without GPS signal simulator?

[RhSilicon · Accepted solution]

Couldn't this project from the link below be used for testing?

GPS-SDR-SIM generates GPS baseband signal data streams, which can be converted to RF using software-defined radio (SDR) platforms, such as ADALM-Pluto, bladeRF, HackRF, and USRP.

https://github.com/osqzss/gps-sdr-sim

Perhaps the GPS signal needs some variation to pass through the system stages, a fixed carrier signal could be like a muted radio signal:

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/353664/gps-noise-figure-analysis

How to Simulate a GPS Signal

A GPS signal simulator mimics the radio frequency (RF) operation of a GPS satellite. Digital modulation techniques are used to multiply, mix, and combine the output of a central 10.23 MHz master clock in stages to simulate a space vehicle (SV) broadcast.

A GPS satellite constellation simulator configures key variables into pre-programmed or customized test scenarios without ever leaving the test bench. This includes the quantity and position of satellites, power levels, transmission band(s), constellation health, and almanac data.

A GPS walking simulator is established by adapting signal transit times along with refection and interference settings to simulate a receiver in motion. The trajectory of incoming signals can also be adjusted to approximate SV orbits.

GPS record and replay capabilities capture output from live satellite antennas at a high rate of speed. These functions combine the authenticity of actual satellite signals with the flexibility of on-demand testing.

https://www.viavisolutions.com/en-uk/products/gps-signal-simulators

[eDesigner]

Hello RhSilicon. We now used your proposed approach with ADALM-Pluto SDR, together with the gpr-sdr-sim and plutoplayer_win software. This worked fine, but only after providing a frequency-accurate external reference clock to the Pluto using a signal generator from R&S.

We want to replace the internal crystal oscillator of the Pluto with one that is frequency-accurate enough for GPS signal simulation. What is the required frequency accuracy in ppm for the simulated GPS signal for the Teseo-VIC3DA modules?