A PRTC test with Paragon-neo is typically connected like this:
The blue lines show the cables connecting the GNSS Simulator PRTC, Paragon-neo and Opt 133 converter. The red numbers show the delays associated with each cable segment and the Opt 133 converter.
The time-bases of the GNSS simulator and the Paragon-neo must be synchronised to make correct measurements of the PRTC. The PRTC is tested for quality of synchronisation to the GNSS simulator by measuring it’s outputs. In all cases cable propagation delays will add a fixed offset even, this must be compensated for.
Note: the numbers shown in this diagram are chosen to simplify the example. Please use precise cable and Opt 133 delays when calculating compensation numbers for a real test bench.
The Opt 133 converter can be removed from the 1PPS reference path if Paragon-neo is running R11 and later software.
PRTC compensation settings
The PRTC must be compensated for the RF cable delay from the GNSS simulator - how this is done is device specific - it will typically be entered in nanoseconds of delay, or meters of cable.
Some PRTC’s may allow for output signal compensation, it is recommended that initially the PRTC is tested with zero output signal compensation, and once this has been validated then the operation of any output compensation can be tested.
Paragon-neo compensation settings
Paragon-neo requires the following compensation set when testing a PRTC:
1PPS reference cable compensation accounts for the difference between propagation delays of the simulator 1PPS output to the Paragon-neo reference input. In the example above this is 10+18+10 = 38ns.
If the PRTC has a PTP output, the DUT Ethernet cable compensation accounts for the propagation delay of the cable between the PRTC PTP output and Paragon-neo measurement port. In the example above this is 20ns.
1PPS measurement cable compensation accounts for the propagation delay of the cable between the PRTC 1PPS output and Paragon-neo measurement port. In the example above this is 10+18+10 = 15ns.
The compensation values are entered into the Paragon-neo through two GUI application panels.
The 1PPS reference compensation is compensated in the PTP Emulation Test Configuration panel.
The Ethernet cable between PRTC and Paragon-neo is also compensated in the Test Configuration panel (20ns in this example).
The 1PPS measurement cable (15ns in this example) is compensated in the 1PPS Time Error Measurement panel.
The 1PPS reference cable compensation can also be entered in this panel, or it will be copied from the PTP Emulation Test Configuration panel.
Paragon-neo is now compensated and ready to run Time Error tests on the PRTC.
Please also refer to the following related FAQ articles for further information:
Paragon-neo Option 133: how to measure 1PPS propagation delays