Horizon Nulling Helix Antenna with Reactive Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
GPS timing antennas are susceptible to unintentional and intentional interference, such as out-of-band and multipath signals, and existing solutions like large antenna arrays and horizon ring nulling antennas are costly and limited in their interference rejection capabilities, particularly for all polarizations.
Innovation Solution
The development of helix antennas with collinear sections separated by reactive elements, which create a deep null in the gain pattern at the horizon to reject interference, applicable to all polarizations, including RHCP, LHCP, vertical linear, and horizontal linear, by causing phase differences between waveforms in the sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If large antenna arrays or horizon ring nulling antennas are used to reject horizon interference, then interference rejection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The helix antenna is divided into multiple collinear sections (first section, second section, third section) along its length. Each section contributes to the overall radiation pattern, and by controlling the phase relationships between sections through reactive elements, the patent achieves horizon nulling without requiring complex array structures. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each section while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (phase and amplitude) of different collinear sections by introducing reactive elements with specific reactances. By adjusting these parameters, the radiation pattern is modified to create deep nulls at the horizon while maintaining broad beamwidth for satellite reception. This parameter control enables interference rejection without increasing structural complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If horizon ring nulling antennas with active electronics are used to achieve deep horizon nulls, then interference rejection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive active electronics with passive reactive elements (inductors and capacitors) that can be implemented as simple lumped components or transmission line structures. These passive elements are much cheaper to manufacture and require no power supply, maintenance, or calibration, dramatically reducing manufacturing costs while achieving the same horizon nulling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the active electronic components from the horizon nulling function, retaining only the essential passive reactive elements needed to create phase differences between antenna sections. This extraction eliminates the need for power-consuming active devices while preserving the core interference rejection capability.
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 solution provides effective interference rejection across all polarizations, maintaining sufficient beamwidth and reducing costs by achieving a deep null in the gain pattern at the horizon, enhancing the reliability of GPS timing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the reactive elements are configured to cause a phase difference between the waveforms excited in the sections
Implementation Method 2
the reactive elements are configured to create a deep null in the gain pattern of the antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A helix antenna including a first radiating element extending helically about a longitudinal axis and tuned to resonate in a frequency band, a reactive element electrically connected to a first end of the first radiating element, and a second radiating element extending helically about the axis and electrically connected to the reactive element at a first end of the second radiating element, wherein the second radiating element is tuned to resonate in the frequency band.