Small Dual-Band RHCP Printed GNSS Antennas

In this Phase I effort Pharad will investigate and develop a new class of small circularly polarized antennas for GNSS handheld receiver terminals. Our solution will be based on novel technologies pioneered by Pharad that incorporate slow wave engineering concepts to reduce its overall size. The inherent multi-layered configuration will be capable of operating efficiently over the 1164 1300 MHz and 1559 1611 MHz frequency bands with good Right Hand Circular Polarization (RHCP) to within +5o of the horizon. The slow wave engineering concepts we will apply to the structure will significantly reduce the size of the radiator by a factor of 7 9, making this new compact dual band GNSS antenna ideally suited to handsets. In Phase I we will use rigorous full-wave electromagnetic simulation tools to design the new compact dual band RHCP antenna and also establish important design trends and trade-offs. We will fabricate proof of concept prototypes of the new antenna and test their Voltage Standing Wave Ratio and radiation performance, including the axial ratio response. As part of Phase I we will also investigate through simulation and experiment, the impact of the user on the performance of the GNSS antennas. BENEFIT: The antenna subsystem developed through this program will be primarily applicable to military use in handset terminals, although it is obviously applicable to the commercial market as well as other military platforms, such as Controlled Radiation Pattern Antennas (CRPAs). As US forces are deployed to conflicts throughout the world, the utilization of GNSS is extremely important. The antenna proposed by Pharad will be a key technology for ensuring GNSS availability to US forces and weapon systems. Its small size and efficient operation will enhance the mission capability of US Air Force personnel and aircraft, in addition to other platforms.