Linear Polarized GNSS Antenna for Reliable Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

On-board units for motor vehicles often face challenges in reliably determining their position due to unfavorable reception properties, particularly in obstacle-rich environments or unfavorable installation conditions, leading to inconsistent or unreliable position determinations.

Innovation Solution

The use of a linearly polarized GNSS antenna and a GNSS receiving device capable of processing signals from multiple GNSS systems, allowing for the reception and utilization of both direct and reflected GNSS signals to improve position determination, even in situations where signals from a single system are weak or unavailable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a circularly polarized GNSS antenna is used, then direct GNSS signals can be received, but reflected GNSS signals cannot be received

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination reliabilityVSAvoidsignal reception capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the polarization parameter of the GNSS antenna from circular to linear. This parameter change enables the antenna to receive both direct and reflected GNSS signals, thereby improving position determination reliability in obstacle-rich environments while maintaining compatibility with standard GNSS systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If signals from multiple GNSS systems are processed, then position determination reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination reliabilityVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The GNSS receiving device is designed with multi-functionality to process signals from multiple GNSS systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou). This universal design enables the device to select from multiple signal sources, improving position determination reliability while managing complexity through integrated multi-system support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving device dynamically selects and processes GNSS signals based on availability and quality. It can adaptively switch between different GNSS systems and signal types (direct/reflected) to maintain reliable position determination, managing complexity through dynamic signal selection rather than fixed processing paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If an external GNSS antenna is used, then signal reception performance improves, but installation complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reception performanceVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The GNSS antenna is merged with the on-board unit housing, integrating what would traditionally be separate components. This integration maintains adequate signal reception performance while eliminating the need for separate external antenna installation, reducing installation complexity and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The GNSS antenna is nested within the housing of the on-board unit. This nesting arrangement allows the antenna to be contained within the existing device structure, achieving compact integration while maintaining the necessary signal reception characteristics for reliable position determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This configuration enables more reliable and accurate position determination by leveraging signals from multiple GNSS systems, reducing the need for external antennas and simplifying installation, while also allowing for improved reception characteristics within the on-board unit's housing.

Implementation Method 1

the GNSS antenna is a linearly polarized antenna and is suitable for receiving GNSS signals from several GNS systems

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear polarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

The use of a linearly polarized GNSS antenna proposed here makes it possible in a particularly advantageous manner to also receive reflected GNSS signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3370087B1On-board unit for a motor vehicle with a GNSS antenna and a GNSS receiver for determining the position of the motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP3370087B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370087B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3370087B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an on-board unit 100 for a motor vehicle 2100 with a GNSS antenna 200 and a GNSS receiver 300 for determining the position of the motor vehicle 2100, wherein the antenna 200 and the receiver 300 are arranged within a housing 400 of the on-board unit 100. To create an improved on-board unit with more reliable position determination using GNSS signals, it is proposed that the GNSS antenna 200 of the on-board unit 100 is a linearly polarized antenna and is suitable for receiving GNSS signals from multiple GNS systems, and that the receiving device 300 is designed to receive GNSS signals from several different GNS systems and, depending on the availability of received GNSS signals and/or the signal quality of received GNSS signals, decides which of the received GNSS signals should be used to determine the position.