Light-Weight, High-Gain Receive/Transmit Navigation/Communication Antennas

ABSTRACT: The desire to improve the performance of portable Global Positioning System (GPS) User Equipment (UE) in the presence of interference and/or signal attenuation creates the need for a multi-mode GPS antenna. The antenna first needs a higher gain mode for initial signal acquisition from at least one GPS satellite and then a lower gain all-sky mode for maximum navigation precision. The antenna must also be lightweight, rugged, low visual profile, silent in operation, and highly portable. In Phase I Syntonics will demonstrate the feasibility of this multi-mode GPS antenna by analysis plus actual laboratory and field measurements taken with a breadboard antenna structure. We will also investigate other tactical communication applications for the same antenna structure. BENEFIT: The anticipated results of a successful Phase I will be a design concept for a lightweight, robust, Multi-Mode GPS antenna. The resulting design can be prototyped in Phase II. The initial market for Multi-Mode GPS antenna that can be used with a variety of military UE is substantial, as GPS UE has proliferated throughout the U.S. and allied militaries. The Multi-Mode GPS antenna will also be compelling in civilian GPS applications than need rapid signal acquisition from a cold or warm start. We can market the technology as an adjunct to our existing line of UHF TACSAT antennas