MS3098 Datasheet with Product Specification

Spirent GSS6450 Multi-frequency

Record & Playback system

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

Spirent GSS6450 Multi-frequency Record & Playback

System

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF SPIRENT COMMUNICATIONS PLC. EXCEPT AS

SPECIFICALLY AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY SPIRENT COMMUNICATIONS PLC, THE HOLDER OF THIS DOCUMENT SHALL KEEP ALL

INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN CONFIDENTIAL AND SHALL PROTECT SAME IN WHOLE OR IN PART FROM DISCLOSURE AND

DISSEMINATION TO ALL THIRD PARTIES TO THE SAME DEGREE IT PROTECTS ITS OWN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

The ownership of all other registered trademarks used in this document is duly acknowledged.

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Purpose of this document

This datasheet describes the operation and performance of Spirent’s GSS6450 GNSS Record\Playback & Playback

only systems and is intended to assist potential users in making a purchase decision. This document forms part of

the contract of sale, but is subject to change.

A detailed user manual is supplied with the unit to guide the user in its operation.

NOTE: The GSS6450 is a modular platform and can be purchased with various options. Unless otherwise indicated

this document refers to all options. Where information is included which refers to only one option this will be clearly

indicated in the text or in the paragraph heading. For further information about options please refer to the performance

specification tables provided.

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Table of Contents

Purpose of this document ...........................................................................................................................................2

Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................................3

List of Tables ...............................................................................................................................................................4

List of Figures .............................................................................................................................................................4

Key Features ...............................................................................................................................................................5

About the GSS6450 Record & Playback System (RPS) ............................................................................................7

Product Variants .......................................................................................................................................................16

Operation Overview ..................................................................................................................................................22

Performance Specifications ......................................................................................................................................30

Physical and Environmental .....................................................................................................................................39

Safety and EMC Conformity .....................................................................................................................................39

System Variants and Options ...................................................................................................................................40

Deliverables ..............................................................................................................................................................42

Glossary of Terms.....................................................................................................................................................44

Referenced Documents ............................................................................................................................................45

For more information ................................................................................................................................................46

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Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

List of Tables

Table 1 Barred Centre frequencies on RF3 ................................................................................................................ 11

Table 2 GSS6450 Hardware & Software Options ...................................................................................................... 16

Table 3 GNSS Frequencies and Constellations Supported on RF1 .......................................................................... 19

Table 4 Estimated Recording Times PER Terabyte ................................................................................................... 27

Table 5 Data Recording File Formats Supported by the GSS6450 ........................................................................... 29

Table 6 Throughput Limitations .................................................................................................................................. 30

Table 7 General Specifications ................................................................................................................................... 32

Table 8 Connectivity ................................................................................................................................................... 36

Table 9 Control Interfaces .......................................................................................................................................... 38

Table 10 Physical and Environmental ........................................................................................................................ 39

Table 11 Deliverable Items ......................................................................................................................................... 42

Table 12 Accessories ................................................................................................................................................. 43

List of Figures

Figure 1 Supported GNSS Bands ................................................................................................................................. 9

Figure 2 Channel Architecture .................................................................................................................................... 11

Figure 3 GSS6450 RPS Rear Panel .......................................................................................................................... 15

Figure 4 GSS6450 RPS Main Screen ........................................................................................................................ 22

Figure 5 Built-in Web-Server Main Menu Page .......................................................................................................... 23

Figure 6 Sample WebServer Screen shots ................................................................................................................ 24

Figure 7 Spectrum Analysis ........................................................................................................................................ 25

Figure 8 Throughput ................................................................................................................................................... 31

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Key Features

The GSS6450 RF Record Playback System (RPS) from Spirent provides a simple and efficient way to capture real

world GNSS, Cellular and Wireless signals and replay them in the laboratory. The GSS6450 takes RF recording and

playback systems to a whole new level of performance and flexibility, while being housed in a small, battery powered,

and portable case. The GSS6450 can record any GNSS signals currently available with bit depths up to 16 bits ‘I’ &

16 bits ‘Q’ and bandwidths of up to 80 MHz. The flexible product structure allows the system capability to grow with

your testing needs. At the same time the GSS6450 RF RPS can record wireless and cellular data, with up to 80MHz

bandwidth and up to 16 bits ‘I’ and ‘Q’ data. A total of four channels are available.

 RF1 GNSS

- Multiple Constellations and Frequencies*

 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS

 L1, L2, L5, B3

- Bandwidth (10, 30, 50, 60 or 80 MHz, depending on configuration)

- Up to 4 bands can be recorded

 RF2 Cellular

- Operates between 690 MHz and 2400 MHz

- Up to 4 bands can be recorded

- Preset frequency options plus user defined centre frequency and bandwidth options of 10,

30, 50, 60 or 80 MHz.

 RF3 Wideband

- Operates between 100-6000MHz

- A Single maximum 80MHz band on the RF3 port can be recorded/played back

 Can be set to 10, 30, 50, 60 or 80 MHz

- Preset frequency options plus user defined centre frequency.

 System

- Bit depth ( I&Q – 2, 4, 8 or 16 bits) *

- Disk space * – 1 TB internal and 1 TB removable. (2 TB internal and removable drives available as

options). 4 TB removable drive also available as an option.

- Control from front panel Touch Screen, over WiFi, WebServer or scripts

- Highly Portable, complete with shoulder strap

- Fully integrated, no PC or external drives required

- Embedded Spectrum Analysis software

- OCXO used on record and playback for high frequency stability

- Record & playback of up to 4 video streams using webcams

- USB 3.0 supported. Allows data transfer to or from an external hard drive

- In-built GNSS receiver (L1-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou), can record NMEA data

 Recorder

- Record any 4 (depending on configuration) signals simultaneously

Record 2 bit signals for playback on a GSS6425

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

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- Internal battery (record time up to 1.5 hours) and vehicle DC power adapter

Single touch record

Synchronous and asynchronous storage of external data, without losing channels or compromising

bit depth

Event markers

 Playback Functionality

- Attenuation across all channels or control per channel

- Browser control over network

- Batch file playback

- Configure files to play

- File start and stop times

- Start at any point in a file, to a resolution of 1 microsecond

- Scripts allow inclusion in automatic test routines

- GSS6425 Compatibility mode to play back 2 bit files recorded on a GSS6425

- Output of raw I/Q data on Aux port (Two most significant bits of each channel).

 CANbus

- Two in built High Speed CAN interfaces which allow

CAN bus data to be recorded as

synchronous data without the need for an external interface unit.

 The CAN interface is a passive device which records the signal levels seen on the

CAN bus. It does not provide bus acknowledgements etc. When replaying CAN Data

onto a CAN bus with other transmitting nodes, the GSS6450 will transmit data even

if another node is already transmitting causing corruption of data on the CAN bus. It

is not recommended to replay CAN data onto a vehicle or any other CAN Bus in a

safety critical application.

- With the (optional) PCAN Router FD two CAN FD or High Speed CAN busses can be

recorded, and played back, synchronously with the RF data.

 Input or output CAN messages can be filtered.

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About the GSS6450 Record & Playback System (RPS)

What the GSS6450 does

With the Spirent GSS6450 RPS, it’s simple and quick to capture GNSS & other RF signals as they are received for

subsequent use in a laboratory test environment.

The GSS6450 RPS digitises and stores the RF signals from the real RF environment. These recordings are then

made available for subsequent playback, faithfully reproducing propagation effects such as multipath, fading,

obscuration and interference to allow testing of GNSS chipsets, receivers and systems under realistic conditions.

You save project, travel and engineering costs while improving product performance, quality and time to market.

The flexibility of the GSS6450 to record multiple frequency bands concurrently means the RPS can be used to test

multi-GNSS chipsets and devices in wireless, cellular, automotive, navigation, aerospace, and defence and survey

applications. The user can select different bit depths depending on their application and storage requirements.

The GSS6450 RF RPS includes three RF I/O ports. RF1 has optimised filtering for the recording and playback of

GNSS signals, while RF2 and RF3 offer wider bandwidth to cover Cellular and Wideband signals respectively.

For interference and jamming testing in-built Spectrum Analysis software is available.

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

Spirent GSS6450 Multi-frequency Record & Playback

System

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What GNSS signals are supported on RF1?

The GSS6450 Multi Constellation RPS can record and play back up to four GNSS frequency bands as described in

Table 3 and within the throughput capacity limits in Table 6. Throughput capacity is a function of the bandwidth

selected and the bit depth. Each band may contain several GNSS signals. For example, if the frequency you select

is 1176.45 MHz the RPS will automatically record both the GPS L5 and Galileo E5a GNSS signals. You can select

frequencies using the front panel Touch Screen or WebServer.

Figure 1 shows the frequencies and constellations the RPS supports, with the red boxes representing the GSS6450

internal filters. You can record and playback any frequency and signal shown within the red boxes.

o GPS\SBAS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and regional signals

 GPS L1 (C\A, L1c, P(Y) and M)

 GPS L2c, P(Y) and M,

 GPS L5 signals

 GLONASS L1 (C/A, P), L2 C/A,P, L3

 Galileo E1(B and C), E5a, E5b E5ab, E6 (authorised users only)

 BeiDou B1, B2, B3

 QZSS L1 (C/A, SAIF, L1c), L2c, L5, L6

 SBAS L1, L5 (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN)

 IRNSS L5

o Nominal Bandwidths

 80 MHz (Wide)

 60 MHz (Wide)

 50 MHz (Wide)

 30 MHz (Medium)

 10 MHz (Narrow) for L1/E1/B1 civil signals

o Bit Depth (I and Q)

 2 bits

 4 bits

 8 bits

 16 bits

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Figure 1 Supported GNSS Bands

If you use satellite-based corrections distributed using Inmarsat around the 1542 MHz frequency band, your

GSS6450 can also record these corrections (available as an option, replacing Beidou B3 and Galileo E6).

The RF1 antenna port can provide power to the antenna at either 3.3V or 5V.

GSS6425 Compatibility Mode

The GSS6450 can play back any GSS6425 recordings, once they are uploaded to the GSS6450, or you can record

data for playing back on a GSS6425 on a GSS6450. This is provided that the same signals are enabled on both

units. Note that the format of the video files on the GSS6450 and GSS6425 are different and so video files are not

transferrable.

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

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Recording Cellular Frequencies on RF2

RF2 has a frequency input range of 690 – 2400 MHz. It allows the recording of up to four signals, just like RF1.

There are several pre-set frequencies available such as:

- LTE band 4 centred on 2132.955, 60 MHz bandwidth

- LTE band 12 centred on 734.514 MHz, 60MHz bandwidth

- LTE band 17 centred on 2132.955 MHz, 30MHz bandwidth

- LTE band 30 centred on 2354.946 MHz, 10 MHz bandwidth

It is also possible to set user defined centre frequencies, by simply typing in the centre frequency required, and

then nominating the required bandwidth and bit depth.

The user can choose bit depths of 2, 4, 8 or 16 bits, and bandwidths of 10, 30, 50, 60 or 80 MHz as required.

As the RF2 band also covers GNSS frequencies it is possible to record GNSS frequencies using RF2 however the

GNSS frequencies on RF2 will ONLY be available if they have been purchased on RF1.

The RF2 antenna port does not provide power to the antenna.

For RF2, an IQ calibration at selected frequencies is required for accurate operation.

For users who wish to record a subset of the pre-set LTE frequencies it is possible to use a narrower bandwidth

and specify a particular channel offset from the start of the band.

Recording Wideband Frequencies on RF3

RF3 has a frequency input range of 100 – 6000 MHz. RF3 only allows the recording of any signals within a single

80MHz (or less) bandwidth. There are several pre-set frequencies available such as:

- Wi-Fi 5GHz Ch 36-48 centred on 5210.139 GHz, 80MHz bandwidth

- Wi-Fi 5GHz Ch 149-161centred on 5774.835 GHz, 80MHz bandwidth

- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz centred on 2440.878 GHz, 80MHz bandwidth

- IRNSS S Band centred on 2491.005 can be recorded at 50MHz or 30 MHz bandwidth.

It is also possible to set user defined centre frequencies, by simply typing in the centre frequency required, bit depth

and bandwidth (10, 30, 50, 60 or 80 MHz). As the RF3 band also covers GNSS frequencies it is possible to record

GNSS frequencies using RF3 however the GNSS frequencies on RF3 will ONLY be available if they have been

purchased on RF1.

For RF3, an IQ calibration at selected frequencies is required for accurate operation.

Note: with RF3 the user cannot record with centre frequencies selected inside the following bands due to

the internal architecture of the system. If one of these bands is entered by the user the user will be warned

by the Touch Screen or WebServer, and a recommendation will be given for a new centre frequency outside

the barred list.

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Barred Centre frequencies

(MHz)

Mitigation

1 988 - 1006

Record on RF2 or change centre frequency to be outside the range,

but with sufficient bandwidth to cover the range

2 1159 - 1168

Record on RF2 or change centre frequency to be outside the

range, but with sufficient bandwidth to cover the range

3 1193 - 1199

Record on RF2 or change centre frequency to be outside the

range, but with sufficient bandwidth to cover the range

4 1491- 1500

Record on RF2 or change centre frequency to be outside the

range, but with sufficient bandwidth to cover the range

5 1545- 1558

Record on RF2 or change centre frequency to be outside the

range, but with sufficient bandwidth to cover the range

6 1975- 2014

Record on RF2 or change centre frequency to be outside the

range, but with sufficient bandwidth to cover the range

Table 1 Barred Centre frequencies on RF3

The user can choose bit depths of 2, 4, 8 or 16 bits. RF2 and RF3 antenna port does not provide power to the

antenna.

Channel Architecture

The GSS6450 can record up to four signals. It does this by recording and playing back two signals on each of two

channels (A and B) as per the following diagram.

Figure 2 Channel Architecture

Signals on the same Channel must have the same bandwidth and number of bits set (e.g. 30MHz, 8 bits).

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

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Channel A and B must have the same Bandwidth set (e.g. 50MHz) but different bit depths can be set on each

Channel (e.g. Channel A may have 8 bits set while Channel B could have 2 bits). The more bits set improves the

dynamic range of the signals, but reduces the recording time. This may be particularly important when recording

Cellular signals, needing a high dynamic range (8 bits), but the GNSS signals could be recorded at 4 bits.

There is one special case where different bandwidths can be selected on the different channels. This is the case of

recording 60 MHz on one Channel and 30 MHz on the other Channel.

What’s in the box?

• GSS6450 Record and Playback System

• Appropriate antenna

with 3 metre cable

• External Power supply with mains cable

• 12 Volt vehicle power adapter

• CD with operating manual loaded

• Ethernet cable

• 1 or 2 TB removable SSD

• DC block

• Shoulder strap

• Lens cloth

• Quick Start Guide

• Carry case

• USB 3.0 cable for connection of removable drive to PC

• An optional USB Wi-Fi dongle is available to control the GSS6450

Why you might need the GSS6450?

The GSS6450 Record and Playback System reduces your field-trial and travel costs substantially by allowing you to

record real-life GNSS, WiFi and Cellular signals (including real world fades, multipath and in-band interference) onto

the internal SSD of the RPS.

Once you have recorded this data you can repeatedly play it back into your system under test in the comfort of your

own lab, without the need to return to the field, saving you time and money.

Typical Applications include:

• Software and Hardware Testing

- Repeatability tests

- Manufacturing test

- Performance analysis

- System trials

For most users, Spirent recommends using the supplied antenna. For other applications, Spirent advises using

active antennas compatible with 3.3 V or 5 V input voltage, with a maximum 100 mA current.

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• Algorithm studies

- Sensor integration

- Position

- Multipath

- Sensitivity

• Interference Monitoring and jamming

• Application Sectors:

- GNSS chip and board design

- Cellular manufacturers

- Chipset manufacturers

- Aerospace and Defence

- Survey

- Research

- GNSS Product Manufacturers

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

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How it works

The GSS6450 RPS employs a low noise amplifier for optimum overall system noise performance prior to down-

converting to IF for digitising. An AGC circuit caters for a wide range of active or passive antenna gains. Standard

antennas with gains of up to 27 dB and 3.3 or 5 Volt nominal DC power can be used directly on RF1. RF2 and RF3

do not supply an antenna voltage. The AGC values are written to a file during recording.

The digitised IF is stored on an internal 1 TB SSD giving up to 25 hours

of record time. Along with the data file

containing the digitised signals, an accompanying information file is automatically generated containing details such

as record time and date. You can add further data to this file for record keeping purposes. The internal hard disk

contains the Linux file system together with the applications and all user data. You have more than 900 GB available

to store signal data. You can plug a second removable SATA drive into the front panel SATA port. This second drive

is a bare drive without any housing, plugging directly into the SATA port.

The GSS6450 incorporates a 1.5 GHz quad core AMD-G Series processor with 8 GB RAM, which runs the Linux

Mint operating system. You can add your own applications and scripts to this his PC; simply add a display and

keyboard (not supplied) to see the Linux Desktop. A WebServer is also available for control of the GSS6450 via a

network, optional WiFi adapter or using a web browser of the Desktop.

Several sampling options are available. 2 or 4 bit sampling is suitable for commercial applications testing while

keeping data storage levels down; the full 16 bit sampling provides a much larger dynamic range for interference and

jamming testing scenarios.

You can record serial data streams (such as 1PPS timing signals and dead-reckoning sensor data) synchronously

with the raw GNSS signal. The data is stored in the SAME file as the raw GNSS signal, so playing back the GNSS

signal file synchronously plays back the data. You cannot separately download the stored data. You can record two

Synchronous Inputs per frequency recorded, up to a maximum of eight synchronous inputs.

During any recording session you can log data on the Serial COM 1 port to a file. The RPS stores these files

separately from the GNSS signal data, and you can separately view, download or edit them. You can add a timestamp

to the serial data. NMEA data from the internal GNSS receiver can also be stored to a file during record or playback.

You can record or playback Video files through the attachment of a Webcam to any of the four USB ports. Therefore

up to four video streams can be stored at any time. Video files, although stored separately from the main GNSS data

file, will play back within 0.5 seconds of the GNSS data, with a potential drift rate of 0.25 seconds per hour.

On playback the IF signal is recreated and then up-converted to RF at the relevant RF frequency using the same

built-in oven stabilised local oscillator (OCXO) as used to record the data for minimum phase noise. The RF output

can use the AGC files recorded to adjust the output RF signal level to have the same power level seen during the

recording. A control allows the recorded AGC file to be ignored and sets the output to a nominal level. The output

level can also be increased by +0, +10 or +20dB. It is also possible to fix the input gain (per RF input) for amplitude

varying or intermittent signals such as WiFi.

When fixed input gain is used, the dynamic range is reduced.

A stepped attenuator provides attenuation across all channels in 1 dB steps up to a maximum of 20 dB. You can

add an additional 20 dB attenuation, in 1.0 dB steps on a per channel basis, allowing you to vary the replayed signal

levels with respect to each other, or balance the C/No values as reported on an attached GNSS receiver. You can

turn on, or off, individual signal channels using the WebServer.

You can also configure the RF1 output as standard, or high-level, using a switchable 30 dB attenuator. The high-

level setting (attenuator disabled) is nominally 30 dB higher than when set as normal output (attenuator enabled).

Typically, the GSS6450 RPS plays back recorded GNSS signals within 1 to 2 dB of the original signal levels as seen

on an attached GNSS receiver.

The GSS6450 includes an internal, L1 only, GNSS receiver that allows you to view the satellites tracked during

recording or playback. The internal receiver shows GPS and Galileo signals with either GLONASSS or BeiDou. The

front panel display and WebServer let you view C/No levels and position of the GSS6450.

Refer to Table 4 Estimated Recording Times PER Terabyte for more details

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You can synchronously start recording or playback of the GSS6450 on receipt of a pulse at the AUX port. This is

useful for synchronising record/playback with other systems.

The GSS6450 is available in a Replay only configuration; for which the performance is identical to the GSS6450

RPS, except the record functionality is absent.

Figure 3 GSS6450 RPS Rear Panel

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

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Product Variants

GSS6450 is a flexible test platform, comprising of hardware and software components. You can add capabilities to

the system by adding various options, see Table 2.

For any standard system, it is mandatory to have a hardware chassis (A, B, C or D) with a GNSS Constellation Band

option (E to J), or enabling RF2 (Wireless) (S) or RF3 (Wideband) (T). The Base system is pre-configured with 10

MHz bandwidth; two, 1 TB SSDs (1 x 1TB internal, 1 x 1TB removable) and 4 bits quantization. For bit depths of 8

or 16 bits choose the appropriate Bit Depth Option (N, or O). For Constellation Bands requiring 30 MHz bandwidth

(H, I, J, L and M) you must purchase the 30 MHz option (P) or the 30/50 MHz option (Q), or the 30/50/60/80 MHz

option (R).

It is likely (but not mandatory) that if the RF2 or RF3 are enabled then wider bit depth options (N or O) will be required.

Similarly greater bandwidth is likely to be needed, options Q or R. It is expected that the 80MHz bandwidth setting

will be required for recording Cellular or Wideband data on RF2 or RF3. When this is purchased it is also possible to

record some GNSS signals at 60MHz (see note 8 below table).

Table 2 GSS6450 Hardware & Software Options

Product Elements Options With 10 MHz

Bandwidth

With 30 MHz

Bandwidth

option

With 30 /50

MHz

Bandwidth

option

Hardware Chassis \

Type

(Base system)

A. Record & playback

(std)

B. Replay ONLY (std)

C. Record & playback

(Inmarsat)

D. Replay ONLY

(Inmarsat)

Constellations 10 MHz 30 MHz 30/50 MHz

GNSS Constellation

Band (centre

frequency MHz)

(option)

Table 3

shows a complete

list of constellations

that can be recorded

at selected centre

frequency and

bandwidth

E. GPS, GAL, BEI L1

1561.098

1575.42

NA NA

F. GPS, GAL, GLO L1

1575.42

1602.018

NA NA

G. GPS, GAL, GLO,

BEI L1

1561.098

1575.42

1602.018

1567.236

1561.098

1575.42

1602.018

1575.42

1583.604

1591.788

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Product Elements Options With 10 MHz

Bandwidth

With 30 MHz

Bandwidth

option

With 30 /50

MHz

Bandwidth

option

H. GPS L1, L2

1575.42 1575.42

1227.60

1575.42

1227.6

I. GPS L1, L5

1575.42 1176.45

1575.42

1176.45

1575.42

J. GNSS L1, L2, L5, B3

1561.098

1575.42

1602.018

1176.45

1207.14

1227.60

1246.014

1268.52

1561.098

1567.236

1575.42

1602.018

1176.45

1191.795

1239.876

1268.52

1575.42

1583.604

1591.788

K. GNSS L1, L2, L5, B3,

Please contact Spirent for more information.

L. Inmarsat based

augmentations

1536.00 MHz 1536.00 MHz

M. QZSS L6 1278.75

Bit Depth (I\Q

Quantization)

(option)

N. 8 bits

O. 8 and 16 bits

Bandwidth

(option)

P. 30 MHz

Q. 30 and 50 MHz

R. 30,50,60 and 80MHz

RF2

S. Enable RF2 690-2400MHz

GNSS frequencies only available if purchased

above

IQ calibration at specific frequencies is required

for accurate operation.

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

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Product Elements Options

With 10 MHz

Bandwidth

With 30 MHz

Bandwidth

option

With 30 /50

MHz

Bandwidth

option

RF3

T. Enable RF3 100 – 6000 MHz

Notes:

1.Limited to 80MHz bandwidth total

2.GNSS frequencies only available if purchased

above,

3. IQ calibration at specific frequencies is required

for accurate operation.

4. Cannot set centre frequencies in the following

ranges

988.0 - 1006.6 MHz

1159.0 - 1168.0 MHz

1193.0 - 1199.0 MHz

1491.0 - 1500.0 MHz

1545.0 - 1558.0 MHz

1975.0 - 2014.0 MHz

Notes

1. Constellation band options E and F can record at 10 MHz only

2. With constellation band options E, F, H and I, you can simultaneously record and playback up to two RF

centre frequencies. With options G, J, K and L you can record and playback up to four RF centre

frequencies

3. You need 30 MHz (or 30 and 50 MHz) bandwidth options for constellation band options H, I, J, L and M,

although you can choose 10 MHz bandwidths on the indicated signals. Please contact Spirent for any other

configurations required, including recording Galileo E6

4. For complete flexibility (in most cases) you can upgrade the GSS6450 using a software key, you do not

need to return your GSS6450 to Spirent for upgrades.

5. Overall product configurations and recording options are subject to the throughput constraints detailed in

Table 6.

6. If you want to record Inmarsat based augmentation systems (Starfire, Terrastar and so on) you need Base

Chassis C or D. You must also purchase the ‘Inmarsat based augmentations’ Option L, and the 30

bandwidth option P, or the 30/50 MHz bandwidth option Q. You cannot use these systems to record BeiDou

B3, QZSS L6, or Galileo E6 signals on RF1.

7. As an option both drives can be upgraded to 2TB.

8. If option R (30,50,60,80 MHz bandwidth is purchased) then it is available on RF1, RF2 and RF3 (if these

port options have been purchased). Two 60 or 80MHz bandwidth GNSS frequencies become available with

this option. They are centred on L1 at 1583.604 MHz and L5 at 1191.795 MHz for 60MHz or L1 at 1583.604

MHz and L2-L5 at 1199.979 MHz for 80MHz.

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Example product variant:

To order an RPS GSS6450 system that can record GPS L1, GLONASS L1 RF signals with 10 and 30 MHz

bandwidth, and 4 bit quantization, you will need to order a system as follows:

• Option A: Record and playback hardware

• Option G: GPS L1 and GLONASS L1 constellation license

• Option P: 30MHz bandwidth

Table 3 GNSS Frequencies and Constellations Supported on RF1

Item

Centre Frequency,

MHz

Constellations Supported

Bandwidth, MHz

1176.45

GPS L5

Galileo E5a

QZSS L5

SBAS L5

30 or 50

1227.6

GPS L2 (L2c, P(Y) and M)

QZSS L2c

** Note: the 50MHz setting does not cover GLONASS L2

30, 50

1246.014

GLONASS L2 (C/A and P)

1583.604

GPS L1 (C/A, P(Y), L1c and M)

Galileo E1 (B and C, with CBOC)

QZSS L1 (C/A, SAIF, L1c with TMBOC)

SBAS L1 (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN)

GLONASS L1 (C/A and P)**

BeiDou B1

** Note: you may notice up to 2 dB signal degradation on the

upper channels of the L1 GLONASS signal with the 50MHz

setting

50, 60 or 80

1591.788

GPS L1 (C/A, P(Y), L1c and M)

Galileo E1 (B and C, with CBOC)**

QZSS L1 (C/A, SAIF,

L1c with TMBOC)

SBAS L1 (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN)

GLONASS L1 (C/A and P)

** Note: you may notice up to 2 dB signal degradation on the

E1 Galileo signal

1239.876

GPS L2 (L2c, P(Y) and M)

QZSS L2c

GLONASS L2 (C/A and P)

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

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Item

Centre Frequency,

MHz

Constellations Supported

Bandwidth, MHz

1561.098

BeiDou B1

10 or 30

1575.42

GPS L1 (C/A, L1c – BOC(1,1) only)

Galileo E1 (B and C, BOC(1,1) only)

QZSS L1 (C/A, SAIF,

L1c – BOC(1,1) only)

SBAS L1 (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN)

GPS L1 (C/A, P(Y), L1c and M)

Galileo E1 (B and C, with CBOC)

QZSS L1 (C/A, SAIF,

L1c with TMBOC)

SBAS L1 (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN)

GPS L1 (C/A, P(Y), L1c and M)

Galileo E1 (B and C, with CBOC)

QZSS L1 (C/A, SAIF,

L1c with TMBOC)

SBAS L1 (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN)

BeiDou B1

1602.018

GLONASS L1 (C/A)

GLONASS L1 (C/A and P)

1207.14

BeiDou B2b

Galileo E5b

GLONASS L3

1567.236

GPS L1 (C/A, L1c)

BeiDou B1

Galileo E1 (B and C, with CBOC)

QZSS L1 (C/A, SAIF,

L1c – BOC(1,1) only)

SBAS L1 (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN)

1268.52

BeiDou B3

30 or 50

spirent.com | 21

Item

Centre Frequency,

MHz

Constellations Supported

Bandwidth, MHz

1191.795

BeiDou B2

Galileo E5 (E5a +E5b)

GLONASS L3

GPS L5

QZSS L5

SBAS L5

GPS L2 (80MHz only)

** Note: at 50 MHz this setting is optimised for Galileo E5ab,

there may be minor degradation on the other signals. With the

80MHz setting the centre frequency is moved to 1199.979 MHz

to capture GPS L2

50, 60 or 80

1536.0

Inmarsat based SBAS (such as Omnistar,

Terrastar and Starfire)**

**Notes:

1) the 50MHz setting is present to facilitate the recording of

Inmarsat signals along with other signals at 50MHz.

However the recording is actually limited by the filter

which has a bandwidth of 35MHz. This is to ensure there

is no overlap into the Beidou band.

2) If purchased it is then not possible to record Beidou B3,

QZSS L6 or Galileo E6 on RF1.

30 or 50

1278.75

QZSS L6

IRNSS S Band centred on 2491.005MHz can be recorded at 50MHz or 30 MHz bandwidth on RF3.

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Operation Overview

The GSS6450 is extremely flexible in operation and can be operated:

• From the front panel Touch Screen

• Using a local monitor, keyboard and mouse

• Via the built-in WebServer using a suitable web browser

• Remotely using VNC

• Using shell scripts

• Wirelessly from a PC, Tablet or Smartphone, or via USB tethering

This flexibility caters for a range of situations from simple one-touch record operation for collecting field data to

manufacturing operations where multiple GSS6450s can be monitored and controlled from a single PC over a

standard Ethernet network.

Front Panel Operation

You can control most of the GSS6450 functions using the front panel touchscreen LCD display:

• 2.4" LCD-TFT display graphics

• 240 x 320 VGA resolution, RGB touch screen

Figure 4 GSS6450 RPS Main Screen

The following operations are available from the front panel:

• Start and stop playing and recording of files

• File management actions, such as deleting files or monitoring disk usage

• Ability to control location of recording and transfer of data

• Choose number of frequencies to record on RF1, RF2 or RF3

• Use of a configuration file

• Adjusting settings, such as the attenuator

• Monitoring status, such as system status, battery level, IP address and software version

spirent.com | 23

• Controlling asynchronous logging on each channel or synchronous logging

• Changing frequencies to record

• Powering and shutting down the system

• Choosing antenna voltage (3.3 Volts, 5 Volts or off) on RF1

• View the GPS/Galileo/GLONASS/BeiDou status of the internal receiver

• Single press “instant” record by holding down the “Start Record”

Front panel icons are multicolour, indicating:

• Power/ Battery status

• Record and antenna status

• Playback and attenuation status

WebServer operation

When the GSS6450 is connected to a network the dynamically assigned IP address can be viewed on the front

panel display by navigating to the appropriate status screen using the front panel scroll keys.

Then, using any suitable browser, you can navigate to the home page at the given IP address. The GSS6450 top

level menus are then available on the Home page. Clicking on the appropriate headings brings up the sub-pages

that allow you to control and configure the GSS6450.

You can also attach a display, keyboard and mouse to access the WebServer. With the optional Wi-Fi dongle you

can control the GSS6450 from any Wi-Fi enabled platform, such as a PDA or tablet.

The WebServer lets you perform a full range of operations, including configuring the GSS6450, managing files,

transferring files between internal and external SSDs, controlling record and playback, adjusting attenuation

settings, or changing the local time.

Figure 5 Built-in Web-Server Main Menu Page

Additional features available through the WebServer include switching on or off a particular signal during playback,

playing back part way into a file, or setting up a Batch replay mode. Batch replay mode allows the setting up of a

number of files to playback, and for each file the user can choose the number of repetitions, alter the attenuation, or

start or stop time within the file.

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

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Sample WebServer screen shots:

Figure 6 Sample WebServer Screen shots

Spectrum Analysis Software

The Spectrum Analysis software built in to the GSS6450 allows the user to see the real time spectrum of the signals

either during record or playback. The user can switch between the different signals being recorded or played back.

Live Test Mode:

In this mode no signals are recorded, and the RF Spectrum of the Live sky is given. The resolution is automatically

set to the highest bit depth based on the bandwidth, and the RF spectrum displayed is the same as that set on the

Record page.

spirent.com | 25

Spectrum Analysis Mode:

In this mode the signals are recorded onto the drives at the same time as showing the Spectrum of the recorded

signals. The bit depth and signals are as set on the Record page. When operating a throughput of 160MBps is the

maximum allowable rate per channel.

During playback the display is dictated by the bandwidth and bit depth at which the signals were recorded.

Figure 7 Spectrum Analysis

The Spectrum Analysis software is available through the WebServer at a refresh rate of 1 frame every 2 seconds.

The Spectrum Analysis Real-Time display tool is available from the Linux Desktop which gives a faster update rate

and provides additional tools such as taking a snapshot of the spectrum.

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

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Remote Operation

You can manage the GSS6450 RPS over a network using its internal VNC server, rather than connecting an external

monitor, keyboard and mouse. VNC is a powerful, easy to use and free software application that uses a network (or

internet) connection to display the screen of one computer on a second, remote computer.

The VNC application lets you use the mouse and keyboard of the remote computer to control the in-built Linux PC

of the GSS6450, giving you the flexibility to control the GSS6450 RPS from a remote location.

To use the VNC connection you need to install a suitable VNC viewer on the remote computer. The VNC access

allows you to manage your GSS6450 as local user, such as performing software updates, manage files, add users

and so on.

You can also control the GSS6450 using HTTP POST and HTTP GET commands.

spirent.com | 27

Data management

Table 4 shows estimated recording times.

Table 4 Estimated Recording Times PER Terabyte

Number of

Frequencies

recorded (4 bit)

Available Recording time* (hours)

10 MHz

30 MHz

50 MHz 60 MHz 80MHz

25 8 5

3.4

12.5 4 2.5

1.7

8.4 2.66 1.66

n/a

4.2 2 1.25

n/a

Number of

Frequencies

recorded (8 bit)

Available Recording time* (hours)

10 MHz

30 MHz

50 MHz 80MHz

12.5 4 2.5

1.56

6.25 2 1.25

n/a

4.17 1.33 0.83

n/a

2.1 1 n/a

n/a

Number of

Frequencies

recorded (16 bit)

Available Recording time* (hours)

10 MHz

30 MHz

50 MHz 80MHz

6.25 2 1.25

n/a

3.1 1 n/a

n/a

2.08 n/a n/a

n/a

1 n/a n/a

n/a

As standard the GSS6450 is supplied with 1 x 1TB internal drive and 1 x 1TB Removable drives. You can transfer

data between the Internal SSD and the Removable SSD. The internal drive can be upgraded to a 2TB drive, and the

Removable to 2TB or 4 TB. Backup drives of 8 or 12 TB can be supplied, connected by USB3. These drives can

transfer data to/from the Internal or Removable drive but should not be written to in real time for record or playback.

8TB or 15TB RAID drives are available, also connected by USB3.These can be used for record/playback or data

storage.

Spirent supplies each GSS6450 with its own FTP Server and Client. This allows fast transfer of data to a network or

between units.

Configuration Files allow you to quickly load settings into the GSS6450. Example settings include:

• Attenuation Offset

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

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• Attenuation Table (slope of the attenuation curve)

• Synchronous data recording using 0 bits (off), 1 or 2 bit stream recording

• Asynchronous Serial Port Communications Settings (baud), and assumes n,8,1

• Time stamp on/off for Asynchronous recording

• Set Antenna voltage

• Internal GNSS on/off, recording of NMEA data

• Use of AGC files on playback

• Output level of signal

• Input gain

Batch mode allows a number of files to be played back in sequence, you can control:

• Files to play, and number of iterations

• File start/stop times

• Common Attenuation used in each playback

• Repeat in a continuous loop

A ‘Trigger’ feature lets the GSS6450 start recording or playing back based on an external pulse. You can

use two GSS6450 connected in Master/Slave mode, which lets you record more signals. The

synchronisation between two GSS6450 is better than 5 nanoseconds.

spirent.com | 29

Data Recording File Formats

Table 5 Data Recording File Formats Supported by the GSS6450

Data

Type

Description

File

Extension

GNSS Signals

(GSS6450)

GSS6450 stored GNSS data

.A.gns

.B.gns

GNSS Signals

(GSS6425)

Compatibility mode for playback of GSS6425 files .gns

Serial Data

Data presented on the COM 1 port

.com1

Video Capture Webcam video sources (0 to 3) captured in compressed MPG

file format

.mpg

Scenario file Information about the recording .scn

AGC file Stores the AGC levels detected during recording .agc

NMEA Store the NMEA data from the internal receiver during recording .nmea

NMEA Store the NMEA data from the internal receiver during playback .nmeaplay

Spirent will supply the format of the digitised data on request for direct access or decoding of the data.

Calibration Requirements

Spirent recommends you calibrate the OCXO annually by comparison to a known, accurate 10 MHz source (GPS or

atomic clock derived). The calibration potentiometer is accessible on the rear panel without opening the GSS6450.

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Performance Specifications

Table 6 gives an example of the allowed combinations of channel, bandwidth and bit depths that ensure you do not

exceed data throughput requirements.

Table 6 Throughput Limitations

No of

Channels

No of Bits

per Sample

10 30 50 60 80

Y Y Y Y Y

4 Y Y Y Y Y

8 Y Y Y Y Y

16 Y Y Y N N

Y Y Y Y Y

4 Y Y Y Y Y

8 Y Y Y Y N

16 Y Y N N N

Y Y Y n/a n/a

4 Y Y Y n/a n/a

8 Y Y Y n/a n/a

16 Y N N n/a n/a

Y Y Y n/a n/a

4 Y Y Y n/a n/a

8 Y Y N n/a n/a

16 Y N N n/a n/a

Y: configuration allowed

N: configuration not allowed

n/a: configuration not available

The GSS6450 can record up to four signals, two on Channel A and two on Channel B. Each channel has a maximum

throughput of 200MBps, and there is a combined throughput limit of 300MBps.

spirent.com | 31

Figure 8 Throughput

The throughput for an individual signal is given by the formula:

Throughput (MBps) = Bit Depth x Bandwidth / 4

Example: Can you record 3 channels at 50 MHz and 8 bits?

Throughput per signal = 8 x 50 / 4 = 100 MBps

Put two signals on Channel A = 200MBps and one on Channel B = 100MBps.

Total throughput is 300 MBps. This is an allowable combination.

On any one channel the signals must have the same bandwidth and bit depth. However, Channel A and Channel B

can always have different bit depths, and there are some combinations of different bandwidths that are allowed. In

these cases, the formula above should be used to ensure that the required combinations can be set without breaking

the throughput limits. The throughput values are automatically calculated in the GSS6450 and the user is warned if

the limits are exceeded.

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Table 7 General Specifications

Feature

Item

Specification

Note

RF1

Frequency

bands

GNSS RF in and Out

1161-1260 MHz

1260 – 1300 MHz*

1550-1610 MHz

1521-1551 MHz*

*B3, E6 as standard,

Inmarsat SBAS

alternative option

GNSS, up to four

frequencies

Bandwidth Bandwidth 3 dB points

10.23, 30.69, 51.15,

61.38, 81.84 MHz

Same as sampling

rate

Noise Figure

System noise figure

< 3 dB

Measured at RF in

Quantisation 2, 4, 8,16 bits

Number of bits of

both I and Q

Sample Freq

10.23, 30.69, 51.15,

61.38, 81.84 MHz

RF output Additive phase noise

Better than -45 dBC @ 1

kHz

I/F Record/replay storage baseband

2, 4, 8 or 16 bit I and

Q samples stored

RF2

Frequency

bands

Cellular RF in and Out 690 – 2400 MHz

Up to four

frequencies

IQ calibration at

specific frequencies

is required for

accurate operation.

Bandwidth Bandwidth 3 dB points

10.23, 30.69, 51.15,

61.38, 81.84 MHz

Same as sampling

rate

Noise Figure

System noise figure

< 3 dB

Measured at RF in

Quantisation 2, 4, 8,16 bits

Number of bits of

both I and Q

Sample Freq

10.23, 30.69, 51.15,

61.38, 81.84 MHz

RF output Additive phase noise

Better than -45 dBC @ 1

kHz

I/F Record/replay storage baseband

2, 4, 8 or 16 bit I and

Q samples stored

spirent.com | 33

Feature

Item

Specification

Note

RF3

Frequency

bands

Wireless RF in and Out 87 – 6000 MHz

Single band up to

80MHz bandwidth

IQ calibration at

specific frequencies

is required for

accurate operation.

Barred centre

frequencies

988.0 - 1006.6 MHz

1159.0 - 1168.0 MHz

1193.0 - 1199.0 MHz

1491.0 - 1500.0 MHz

1545.0 - 1558.0 MHz

1975.0 - 2014.0 MHz

These centre

frequencies cannot

be set –

either use

RF2 or a centre

frequency outside

the band

Bandwidth Bandwidth 3 dB points

10.23, 30.69, 51.15,

61.38, 81.84 MHz

Same as sampling

rate

Noise Figure

System noise figure

< 3 dB

Measured at RF in

Quantisation 2, 4, 8,16 bits

Number of bits of

both I and Q

Sample Freq

10.23, 30.69, 51.15,

61.38, 81.84 MHz

RF output Additive phase noise

Better than -45 dBC @ 1

kHz

I/F Record/replay storage baseband

2, 4, 8 or 16 bit I and

Q samples stored

Storage capacity

Internal SSD

1 TB

See Table 4

Removable SSD

1 TB

Attenuator

Internal stepped

attenuator

20 dB in 1 dB steps, all

channels plus

20 dB in 1 dB steps, per

channel

Ability to switch off a

complete channel

Note: for

frequencies above

2.4GHz the

attenuation

becomes non-linear

You can use attenuation to recreate real-world effects, such as degradation of signals when using poorly designed antenna or

obscured signals. The GSS6450 provides a simple way of attenuating signals and provides for overall or individual channel

adjustment. However, the C/No ratios that an attached GNSS receiver reports may not change dB for dB with the input

attenuation because of the way the GNSS receiver calculates its C/No ratio and adjusts its AGC. In wider bandwidth

recordings it is possible that not all signals will decrease at exactly the same rate. For a given GNSS receiver, however, the

results using the in-built attenuator will be repeatable. Spirent recommends using a simulator for high accuracy sensitivity

testing.

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

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Feature

Item

Specification

Note

Asynchronous recording

External data recording

on Serial Port

4800 to 115200 baud

Stored in editable

log file

. NMEA data

from the internal

GNSS receiver can

be stored.

Synchronous recording

Eight channels of external

data i/o on Aux port

Max recommended bit

rate

300 kbps @ 10.23 MHz

900 kbps @ 30.69 MHz

1500 kbps@ 51.15 MHz

1800 kbps@ 61.38 MHz

2400kbps @ 81.84 MHz

Data not editable

Sampled at 1/8

the main sampling

rate.

Built-in controller and

WebServer

Operating System Linux Kernel 4.8 or later

Power

Internal Battery

90 Wh, 1.5 hr record or

playback time

External Power

12 to 18 V DC

3.9A

Rear panel 2.1mm

socket

PSU supplied

Input: 90 to 260 V AC

Output: 18 V DC

2.1mm DC jack

Vehicle cigarette lighter

adapter supplied

Cigarette lighter plug to

locking 2.1 mm jack

Warm up period

10 minutes before

recording or playback

OCXO

< +/- 1 x 10

-11

over 1 sec

< +/- 1 x 10

-8

Short term stability

Temperature stability

1.5 hours when operating at ambient temperatures in the range 0 to 30°C.

For ambient temperatures between 30 and 40°C, battery life may be reduced.

spirent.com | 35

Feature

Item

Specification

Note

AGC

Min input power level

-130 dBm

Max input power level

-40 dBm

AGC presents optimum levels at the ADC for a

Gaussian distribution over 90 dB input signal

level range. Each signal has independent AGC

control up to 50 dB. There is also an option to

set a fixed gain for each RF input.

On playback two settings are available

1) Standard Level Setting

The Output Gain level on playback is fixed at a

nominal setting and does not vary.

2) Absolute Level Setting

The AGC levels stored during recording are

used to replay at the same power levels as

recorded.

Fixed Input Gain (for 8 and 16

bit recordings only)

Available separately on

RF1, RF2, RF3

Auto

Manual

Low Gain

Medium Gain

High Gain

Use AGC

For signals in range:

-80dBm to -30dBm

-100dBm to -40dBm

-120dBm to -55dBm

Output Gain Across all channels

0dB

10dB

20dB (default)

Output gain can be set

before or during

playback. Intended for

use with GNSS signals

on RF1.

Dynamic Range

Based on an in-band CW

jammer

Dynamic Range

4 bits 21 dB

8 bits 45 dB

16 bits 80 dB

Playback Offset

Can set the playback

offset to 1microsecond

Master/Slave time alignment

10MHz: Time alignment

up to 100ns.

30/ 50/ 60/ 80MHz:

Typical: <5ns, max 9ns

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

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Table 8 Connectivity

Category Item Specification Note

Input

RF1 GNSS

(input/Output)

Front panel SMA

3.3 Volts nominal to power

antenna

5 Volts as an option (user

selectable)

Limited to 100 mA by self-

healing fuse

RF2 Wireless

(input/Output)

Front panel SMA No power supplied

RF3 Wideband

(input/Output)

Front panel SMA No power supplied

Power

2.1 mm locking socket

12 to 18 Volts DC

10 MHz reference

Rear panel SMA

-15 dBm into 50 Ohm

Video Webcam

USB port

Maximum four webcams

(two front, two rear),

depends on data storage

rates

Synchronous data Aux Port

Two data channels, up to a

maximum of eight, recorded

per frequency logged

Trigger Aux Port

Three pins on port to

synchronise two GSS6450,

or with an external system

Output

RF1-3

Front panel SMA

(as above)

Use DC block supplied for

any receiver supplying

> 5 Volts

10 MHz reference Rear panel SMA

50 Ohm, -3 dB nominal

Output during record or

replay

RF out High level

RF1-3

-53 dBm nominal at

50 Ohms, measured at

30 kHz bandwidth

Combined with the standard

RF output, 30 dB attenuation

normally applied.

Video

15 Way D

VGA

spirent.com | 37

Category Item Specification Note

Time Pulse

Aux Port

3.3V Active High

Configurable to 1s, 10s and

1 minute

Synchronous data Aux Port

Two data channels, up to a

maximum of eight, recorded

per frequency logged

Aux Port 26 Way High Density D

Includes 5 Volt, 200 mA

maximum, Output to power

external modules

I/Q data Aux Port

Allows output of raw I/Q data

on the AUX port during

playback.

Note: the two most significant

bits of the I/Q data are brought

out, independent of the number

of bits recorded.

10/100/1000 Ethernet 2 x RJ45

LAN 1 network

LAN 2 PC

2 x USB 2.0

2 x USB 3.0

USB 2 Type A (female)

USB 3 Type A (female)

Front panel

Rear panel

I/O

Serial (UART) x 1

9-way D (male)

Interface / Control

Keyboard

USB

Removable SSD

SATA

VGA Monitor

1x 15-way D (female)

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Table 9 Control Interfaces

Category Item Specification Note

Local - Front Panel

Display

240 x 320 pixel

resolution, RGB 65K

true to life colours, TFT

screen with Integrated 4-

Wire Resistive Touch

Panel.

Graphical.

Keypad

Touchscreen LCD

Power

Front panel On/Off

switch

Status indicators

LCD icons

Mouse

USB

Remote

WebServer Dynamic i/p address

Requires web-browser, or

HTTP POST commands

VNC

VNC server built-in

Requires VNC viewer

Scripts

Linux shell scripts

spirent.com | 39

Physical and Environmental

Table 10 Physical and Environmental

Parameter Value Units Notes

Size

216 x 200 x76

8.5 x 7.9 x 3.0

inch

Excludes feet

Weight

2.2

4.85

lbs

Operating Temperature

0 to + 40

32 to 104

Degrees C

Degrees F

Operating Humidity 40 to 90 % RH Non-condensing

Storage

-40 to +60

-40 to 140

Degrees C

Degrees F

Storage Humidity 20 to 90 % RH Non-condensing

Safety and EMC Conformity

The GSS6450 complies with the following harmonised standards:

• EN 61010-3-2:2014

• EN 61326-2:2013 using the common technical requirements of EN 61326-1:2013

• EN 301489-3: V1.6.1, using the common technical requirements of EN301489-1: V1.9.2

• EN 61000-3-2:2014 and EN61000-3-3:2013

• FCC CFR 47 Parts 15.107 and 15.109 and ICES-003 Issue 6

• EN 303 413

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System Variants and Options

Component

Option

identifier

(see Table 2)

Part

number

Description

What’s included?

Hardware

Chassis

(base system)

6450-1010

GSS6450 Record

and Playback

(Standard)

Hardware chassis with ability to record &

replay RF GNSS signals. SSD (1 x TB

internal, 1 x TB removable drive), 10 MHz

Bandwidth, 4 bits record or playback.

6450-1011

GSS6450 Replay

only

(Standard)

Hardware chassis with ability to ONLY

replay RF GNSS signals. SSD (1 x TB

internal, 1 x TB removable drive), 10 MHz

Bandwidth, 4 bits playback.

6450-1012

GSS6450 Record

and Playback

(Inmarsat)

Hardware chassis with ability to record &

replay RF GNSS signals. SSD (1 x TB

internal, 1 x TB removable drive), 10 MHz

Bandwidth, 4 bits record or playback.

6450-1013

GSS6450 Replay

only

(Inmarsat)

Hardware chassis with ability to ONLY

replay RF GNSS signals. SSD (1 x TB

internal, 1 x TB removable drive), 10 MHz

Bandwidth,4 bits playback.

6450-1014 GSS6450 Record

and Playback 2-

bit (Standard)

Entry Level hardware chassis with ability to

record & replay RF GNSS signals. SSD (1 x

TB internal, 1 x TB removable drive), 10

MHz Bandwidth, 2 bits record or playback.

6450-1015 GSS6450 Record

and Playback 2-

bit (Inmarsat)

Entry Level hardware chassis with ability to

record & replay RF GNSS signals. SSD (1 x

TB internal, 1 x TB removable drive), 10

MHz Bandwidth, 2 bits record or playback.

GNSS

Constellation

Band

E 6450-3000 GPS, GAL, BEI

Constellation license

F 6450-3001 GPS, GAL, GLO

Constellation license

G 6450-3002 GPS, GAL, GLO,

BEI L1

Constellation license

H 6450-3003 GPS L1, L2 Constellation license

I 6450-3004 GPS L1, L5 Constellation license

J 6450-3005 GNSS L1, L2, L5,

Constellation license

spirent.com | 41

Component

Option

identifier

(see Table 2)

Part

number

Description

What’s included?

6450-3006-

GNSS L1, L2, L5,

B3 including E6

Constellation License (restricted)

L 6450-3007 Inmarsat based

augmentations,

such as Omnistar

and Starfire

Constellation license (needs base chassis

C or D, and bandwidth option O or P)

M 6450-3008 QZSS L6 Constellation License

W 6450-7000 GNSS L1 L2 L5

50 MHz BW

Constellation License Bundle for 2-bit HW

only

Bit Depth (I\Q

Quantization)

N 6450-3021 8 bit Additional support for 8 bits bit depth.

O 6450-3022 8 bits and 16 bits

Additional support for 8 and 16 bits bit

depth.

Bandwidth

P 6450-3030 30 MHz Additional support for 30 MHz bandwidth.

Q 6450-3031 30 and 50 MHz

Additional support for 30 and 50 MHz

bandwidth.

R 6450-3032 30,50,60 and 80

MHz

Additional support for 30, 50, 60 and 80

MHz bandwidth.

Enable RF2

S 6450-3040 Enables

operation of RF 2

Enable RF3

T 6450-3041 Enables

operation of RF3

Contact Spirent for details on upgrades from one standard configuration to another standard configuration.

For non-standard configurations please contact Spirent.

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

Spirent GSS6450 Multi-frequency Record & Playback

System

42 | spirent.com

Deliverables

Table 11 Deliverable Items

Item No. Quantity Component Comment

1 1 GSS6450 RPS main unit

2 1 Power Supply

PSU,Desk Top,18 V, 3.9 A, 90 W

3 1 Power Supply cable UK, USA or EU versions

4 1 Active GNSS antenna L1 only

5 1 Cigarette lighter adaptor With 2.1 mm jack plug

6 1 Manual Supplied on the CD

7 1 Removable SSD 1 or 2 TB SSD depending on option purchased

8 1 DC Block

9 1 Ethernet cable (straight)

10 1 Carry case

11 1 Shoulder strap

12 1 Lens cloth & Stylus

13 1 Quick start guide

14 1 USB 3.0 to SATA 2.5" HDD

adapter cable

spirent.com | 43

Table 12 Accessories

Accessory Description System order code

Accessory kit (3 cameras, IPAD, Wi-Fi adapter) 1000-8000

External 8TB Backup drive

1000-8001

External 12TB Backup drive

1000-8015

Removable external 1TB SSD drive 1000-8003

Removable external 2TB SSD drive 1000-8002

Removable external 4TB SSD drive 1000-8012

Removable external 7.5TB SSD drive 1000-8016

RAID 8TB (2 x 4TB SSD) 1000-8013

RAID 15TB (2 x 7.5TB SSD) 1000-8014

Desktop RAID 80TB

1000-8017

Multi-Frequency Antenna – L1, L2, L5 and B3 6450-6001

Spare battery pack 1000-8004

USB Wi-Fi / Wireless Network Micro Adapter 1000-8005

Upgrade to 2TB internal SSD & 2 TB removable drive (at time of system

purchase)

6450-9001

Remove internal SSD (at time of system purchase) and supply 2 x 2 TB

removable bootable SSDs

6450-9002

Alignment Certificate and Test Report 6450-9003

Battery Accessory Kit (excludes battery)

- External charger, mains power cable

- Power Cable for connection to the 6450

- Holding strap

1000-8007

Master/ Slave Cable set 1000-8006

PCAN Router FD 6450-6008

PCAN Router Interface Cable for High Speed USB2.0 6450-6009

The primary function of this option is to store the data recorded from the GSS6450. Data throughput may not be fast enough

for direct playback or recording.

Mains powered only

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

Spirent GSS6450 Multi-frequency Record & Playback

System

44 | spirent.com

PCAN Router Bus Converter High Speed to Single Wire

6450-6010

PCAN Router Bus Converter High Speed to Loe Speed 6450-6011

PCAN Router Interface Cable for GSS6450 6450-6012

The Battery Accessory Kit allows a GSS6450 battery to be charged external to the GSS6450 itself. The battery can

also be used directly through a power cable to the GSS6450 in order to double the battery life.

* The primary function of this option is to store the data recorded from the GSS6450. Data throughput may not be fast enough

for direct playback or recording.

Glossary of Terms

1PPS One Pulse-Per-Second

ADC Analogue to Digital Converter

AGC Automatic Gain Control

Aux Auxiliary

BeiDou Chinese GNSS System

C/No Carrier to Noise Density Ratio

EMC Electromagnetic Compatibility

FTP File Transfer Protocol

GALILEO EU GNSS System

GLONASS GLObal NAvigation Satellite System (Russian Federation)

GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System (Galileo + GPS + SBAS + GLONASS + IRNSS + BeiDou)

GPS Global Positioning System US GNSS system

IRNSS Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System

OCXO Over Controlled Crystal Oscillator

QZSS Quasi-Zenith Satellite System

RF Radio Frequency

RPS Record and Playback System

SBAS Space-Based Augmentation System (such as WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS)

SSD Solid State Desk

VNC Virtual Network Computing

spirent.com | 45

Referenced Documents

a) DGP01444AAA GSS6450 RPS Manual [latest issue]

Datasheet MS3098 Issue 3-40 June 2019

Spirent GSS6450 Multi-frequency Record & Playback

System

spirent.com

Spirent Communications plc, Aspen Way, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7QR, UK

Tel +44 (0)1803 546300 Fax +44 (0)1803 546301

http://www.spirent.com/Solutions/GNSS-Developers

Registered in England Number 00470893

Registered office: Northwood Park, Gatwick Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9XN, UK

All of the company names and/or brand names and/or product names referred to in this document, in particular, the name “Spirent” and its logo

device, are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Spirent plc and its subsidiaries, pending registration in accordance with relevant national

laws.

All other registered trademarks or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Spirent. The

information in this document is believed to be accurate and reliable; however, Spirent assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or

inaccuracies that may appear in the document.

For more information

For more information on any aspect of performance evaluation of positioning, navigation & timing systems, please

contact your Spirent representative or Spirent directly:

Spirent Communications plc

Address: Aspen Way, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7QR, UK

Telephone: +44 1803 456325

E-mail: globalsales@spirent.com

Website: www.spirent.com

US Government & Defence, Spirent Federal Systems Inc,

Address: 1402 W. State Road, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062

Telephone: +1 801 785 1448

E-mail: info@spirentfederal.com

Website: www.spirentfederal.com