PAIGNTON and NOTTINGHAM, England, May 7 /PRNewswire/ --

- Spirent Delivers Satellite Navigation Signal Test and Simulation Capabilities for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)

Spirent Communications plc (LSE: SPT) the leading provider of navigation and positioning test solutions, and the GNSS Research and Applications Centre of Excellence (GRACE), part of University of Nottingham's Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy (IESSG), have expanded their already strong relationship to further advance the facility's satellite navigation signal test and simulation capabilities. This collaboration provides GRACE users access to a world-class Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) research laboratory and associated training services, an unsurpassed GNSS applications development environment and exceptional GNSS simulation, test-bed and testing facilities.

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GRACE will use the advanced Spirent GSS8000 multi-GNSS hardware simulation system to simulate current and future GPS signals at L1, L2 and L5 frequencies, Galileo E1, E5 and E6 signals, and WAAS and EGNOS Space Based Augmentation System signals. The test system, which includes a two chassis, 16 channel GSS8000 system controlled by Spirent's SimGEN software, is one of the first to be delivered in the United Kingdom.

This sophisticated Spirent solution enables GRACE to advance research activity in numerous application domains to prepare for the forthcoming GNSS signals, said Professor Terry Moore, head of the GRACE facility.

The new simulation system will be available to small and medium enterprises (SME) seeking to develop or test new applications. Providing access to the latest GNSS test facilities can be a major benefit to SMEs and it is anticipated that the system will build on GRACE's growing reputation in the field of GNSS research and development.

Spirent has a long-term relationship with IESSG/GRACE and we are very pleased to be providing one of our multi-GNSS simulators to support this important new facility, said John Pottle, marketing director of Spirent's positioning technology division. We look forward to continuing our work with Professor Moore and his team to support the research activities that the simulation system will enable.

About the GNSS Research and Applications Centre of Excellence (GRACE)

The GNSS Research and Applications Centre of Excellence (GRACE) is a collaboration between the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) and the University of Nottingham.

GRACE provides regional, national and international business with access to world-leading facilities that include customised incubation units, project offices, state of the art testing equipment, secure research development laboratories and dedicated training suites.

About Spirent's Positioning Technology Division

Spirent (www.spirent.com/positioning) is the world's leading provider of GNSS test and simulation systems. In this capacity, Spirent is the first choice of major manufacturers, integrators, test facilities and space agencies worldwide for GNSS testing and simulation solutions. Today, Spirent simulation systems are used throughout the world through a broad range of clients in more than 30 countries across five continents and in over 50 governmental agencies. Spirent delivers navigation and positioning testing equipment and services to all sectors of the navigation and positioning community, from government agencies through to emerging commercial markets.

About Spirent Communications plc

For more information visit http://www.spirent.com/news/about_spirent.cfm

Sailaja Tennati, Direct Tel, +1-770-432-3225, sailaja.tennati@spirent.com, or John Pottle, Marketing Director, Positioning Technology, Paignton, UK, +44-1803-546-371, john.pottle@spirent.com, both of Spirent Communications / Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090220/SPIRENTLOGO