Methods of location using GNSS simulators and devices thereof

A GNSS simulator comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory coupled to the processor which is configured to be capable of executing programmed instructions comprising and stored in the memory to:
• receive a precision timing signal and one or more items of ephemeris data from a GNSS receiver based on a decoded GNSS signal received by the GNSS receiver, wherein the precision timing signal and the one or more items of GNSS satellite data are received in a digital format over a communication network, wherein the GNSS simulator is configured to be capable of receiving the decoded GNSS signal from the GNSS receiver operating on a first GNSS system;
• generate a simulated GNSS signal based on the received precision timing signal and one or more items of ephemeris data;
• transmit the simulated GNSS signal over a coverage area wherein the GNSS simulator is configured to be capable of transmitting the simulated GNSS signal to operate on a second GNSS system different from the first GNSS system.

A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) simulation system comprising:

• a GNSS receiver positioned to receive GNSS signals from one or more GNSS satellites and comprising an oscillator configured to synchronize with the received GNSS signals, wherein the GNSS receiver is configured to decode the received GNSS signals to obtain a precision timing signal and one or more items of ephemeris data and transmit the decoded precision timing signal and one or more items of ephemeris data in a digital format over a communication network;
• one or more GNSS simulators, the one or more GNSS simulator computing devices comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor which is configured to be capable of executing programmed instructions comprising and stored in the memory to:
• receive the precision timing signal and one or more items of ephemeris data from the GNSS receiver wherein the one or more GNSS simulators are configured to be capable of receiving the decoded GNSS signal from the GNSS receiver operating on a first GNSS system;
• generate a simulated GNSS signal based on the received precision timing signal and one or more items of ephemeris data;
• transmit the simulated GNSS signal over a coverage area wherein the one or more GNSS simulators are configured to be capable of transmitting the simulated GNSS signal to operate on a second GNSS system different from the first GNSS system.