CRPA for GNSS

ABSTRACT: The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) includes a modernized Global Positioning System (GPS), the European Galileo, Russian Glonass, and the Chinese Beidou systems. At present, most systems are GPS only, but new GNSS receivers will use some of the additional GNSS systems becoming available to improve accuracy and availability. Polarization of GNSS signals is Right-Hand Circular Polarization (RHCP). A Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) is an antenna which provides a means to electronically control and change the received antenna pattern. Current CRPAs are designed for GPS receivers (L1 and L2 band operation). CRPAs for future GNSS military receivers should at least provide the same AJ protection at all GNSS bands. The main objective of the proposed research effort is to design, build and test experimental AJ antennas for future military GNSS receivers. The antenna could be used to mitigate or null interfering signals such as jammers or multipath, while maintaining S/N for the GNSS satellites from the rest of the sky. The antenna may also be used to increase gain or S/N in the direction of GNSS satellites, or for direction finding of an interfering signal. BENEFIT: US and allied military user equipment programs will be interested in GNSS handhelds to improve accuracy and satellite availability. Commercial GNSS handheld technology is a very large and growing industry. Many next-generation receivers will include GNSS.