Evaluation of Xona Pulsar Signals in Simulation – First Results

Eldar Rubinov, Lachlan Ng, Cécilia Kalmeijer, Kathryn Hammar

Abstract:	This paper presents initial simulation results assessing the positioning, timing, and interference-resilience performance of Xona Space Systems’ Pulsar X1 signal, part of the emerging Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Positioning Navigation and Timing (PNT) constellation. With only a single demonstration satellite currently in orbit, real life testing is not currently feasible, so simulations provide a good way to evaluate the performance of the system. In this case a Safran GSG-7 simulator and StarNav SNDR-X receiver were used to emulate realistic environments and quantify performance prior to full constellation deployment. Three scenarios were evaluated. First, a 12-hour static test demonstrated metre-level accuracy, with X1 achieving slightly better horizontal precision than GPS L1 and comparable vertical performance. Second, a kinematic test along an urban driving route confirmed sub-metre horizontal accuracy and robust tracking under motion, highlighting the benefits of rapidly changing LEO satellite geometry. Third, two controlled jamming experiments compared the resilience of GPS L1 and X1. When interference was centered on GPS L1, X1 continued to provide a navigation solution well beyond the L1 outage point, demonstrating superior resistance to adjacent-band interference. Direct jamming of X1 required higher power than L1 to disrupt service, underscoring its inherent robustness. These results show that Xona Pulsar signals can complement and enhance GNSS by providing strong, rapidly varying geometry and improved resilience to radio-frequency interference. The findings lay the groundwork for future field testing, dual-frequency (X1 + X5) investigations, and integration of Xona signals into high-integrity applications such as aviation, autonomous systems, and critical infrastructure.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 38th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2025) September 8 - 12, 2025 Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Baltimore, Maryland
Pages:	1268 - 1278
Cite this article:	Rubinov, Eldar, Ng, Lachlan, Kalmeijer, Cécilia, Hammar, Kathryn, "Evaluation of Xona Pulsar Signals in Simulation – First Results," Proceedings of the 38th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2025), Baltimore, Maryland, September 2025, pp. 1268-1278. https://doi.org/10.33012/2025.20409
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