Antennas for GNSS Handheld Receivers

ABSTRACT: The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) includes modernized global positioning system, the European Galileo, Russian Glonass, and the Chinese Beidou systems. Many next-generation receivers will include additional GNSS satellite signals to improve accuracy and satellite availability. The GNSS frequencies span from 1164 MHz to 1300 MHz and also 1559 MHz to 1611 MHz. The Right Hand Circular Polarization (RHCP) gain should be maximized over all of the visible sky. Innovative GNSS antennas are needed which are small enough to be used with handsets. Under this project, Applied EM in collaboration with its team members proposes two handheld GNSS antenna configurations. The first configuration involves an antenna that fits inside a target volume of 3"by 1"by 1". This antenna volume can be mounted on top of the existing handheld receiving unit or fitted inside the top of the handheld unit. This fixed design eliminates any moving parts. The second configuration involves a moving antenna part that has a target volume of 4"by 3"by 0.25". When the receiver is not operated, the antenna part would be collapsed as a cover or simply folded back for storage. The second approach avoids the need for significant modifying the receiver unit. 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.