Dual-Band GNSS Antenna Pattern Shaping for Groundwave Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) face interference from manmade radio signals and jamming, especially in buildings where low elevation satellite signals are obstructed by groundwave noise, requiring expensive active beamforming systems for effective signal reception and transmission.
Innovation Solution
A passive focusing antenna system with a pattern shaper that narrows the beam pattern, allowing dual frequency operation between L1 and L2 bands, suppressing groundwave signals and enhancing skywave signal reception without active beamforming, making it suitable for rugged military and industrial applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active electronic beamforming systems are used to suppress groundwave interference and enhance skywave signal reception, then signal reception reliability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A passive focusing component is introduced as an intermediary element between the GNSS antenna and the environment. This component passively shapes the radiation pattern to enhance skywave signals while suppressing groundwave interference, eliminating the need for complex active electronic beamforming systems while maintaining signal reception reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active electronic beamforming systems (which require power, control circuits, and complex signal processing) with a passive focusing component that achieves the same interference suppression and signal enhancement through its physical structure and electromagnetic properties, thereby reducing system complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If active beamforming systems are deployed to narrow the antenna beam pattern, then interference suppression is improved, but manufacturing cost and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A passive focusing component serves as an intermediary that physically shapes the antenna beam pattern. This component is manufactured as a simple structural element rather than a complex electronic system, making it easier to manufacture and deploy while achieving the desired interference suppression through its geometry and material properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves beam pattern shaping by controlling physical parameters of the focusing component such as its geometry, size, position, and material properties, rather than using complex electronic parameter adjustments. This simplifies manufacturing while maintaining effective interference suppression
3Adaptability or versatility
If dual frequency operation is implemented to switch between L1 and L2 bands, then adaptability to interference conditions is improved, but antenna system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a single antenna system with a passive focusing component that simultaneously supports dual frequency operation at L1 and L2 bands. The focusing component is universally designed to work across both frequency ranges, allowing the system to adapt to different interference conditions without requiring separate antenna systems for each frequency band
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple frequency-specific antenna systems into a single dual-band antenna system with a unified passive focusing component. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the adaptability to switch between L1 and L2 bands based on interference conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The antenna system provides reliable GNSS communication by seamlessly switching between frequency bands, reducing interference and maintaining navigation services even in environments with high levels of manmade noise, while being cost-effective and easier to deploy compared to active systems.
Implementation Method 1
The dual frequency antenna element when electromagnetically energized produces a circularly polarized radiation pattern
Implementation Method 2
a passive pattern shaping component which narrows the antenna beam pattern in a controlled manner that does not rely on active beamforming signal processing
Implementation Method 3
The antenna system can be used as a receive antenna pointed at the sky to receive GNSS satellite transmissions, while simultaneously inhibiting, both spatially and spectrally, radio interference and jamming signals originating from ground-based or low horizon sources
Implementation Method 4
The dual frequency antenna element when electromagnetically energized produces a circularly polarized radiation pattern with respect to a propagation direction
Data Source
AI summary
The dual frequency antenna element has electromagnetically resonant structure with plural attached current conductors each communicating on a different frequency band and producing a circularly polarized radiation pattern with respect to a propagation direction. A pattern shaper element fashioned using first and second conductive discs is positioned within the radiation pattern in alignment with the propagation direction. The discs are secured in a first spaced relation to each other and in a second spaced relation to the dual frequency antenna element. The respective disc surface areas, and the first and second spaced relations are cooperatively configured to passively modify the radiation pattern of the dual frequency antenna element to produce dual frequency band coverage of approximately 60 degrees centered about the longitudinal axis while substantially blocking coverage at 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis.