Nested Cylindrical UHF Antenna for GNSS Tracking Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote tracking devices for seismic surveys face challenges in achieving high accuracy and minimizing signal interference between GNSS and UHF antennas, which affects the precision of position locating systems.
Innovation Solution
A remote tracking device configuration featuring a GNSS receiver and processor inside a hollow inner conducting cylinder, with a UHF transmitter and receiver located within the same cylinder, utilizing an outer conducting cylinder as a UHF antenna to achieve omni-directional vertically polarized transmission without compromising GNSS performance, and incorporating a WiFi access point for data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If GNSS receiver and processor are placed inside a hollow inner conducting cylinder with UHF transmitter and receiver, then signal interference between GNSS and UHF antennas is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested cylindrical structure where the inner conducting cylinder containing GNSS receiver and processor is placed inside the outer conducting cylinder that serves as the UHF antenna. This nested configuration effectively isolates the GNSS signals from UHF transmission interference while maintaining a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the GNSS receiver and processor into a separate enclosed space (inner cylinder) distinct from the UHF antenna system (outer cylinder). This separation removes the source of signal interference from the UHF antenna environment, allowing independent optimization of both subsystems.
2Reliability
If outer conducting cylinder is used as UHF antenna for omni-directional transmission, then UHF transmission performance is improved, but GNSS antenna performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The nested cylindrical configuration allows the outer cylinder to function as an effective UHF antenna with omni-directional radiation pattern while the inner cylinder provides electromagnetic shielding for the GNSS receiver. The spacing between cylinders creates effective isolation zones that protect GNSS signal reception from UHF transmission effects.
Solution Approach 2:
By extracting the GNSS receiver into the inner cylinder, the patent removes it from the potentially interfering electromagnetic environment of the UHF antenna. This separation ensures that the UHF antenna can operate at full performance without compromising GNSS positioning accuracy.
3Reliability
If electronic components are located inside the inner conducting cylinder, then electromagnetic compatibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested cylindrical structure provides built-in electromagnetic shielding and compartmentalization, grouping all sensitive electronic components within the inner cylinder. This modular approach improves electromagnetic compatibility while facilitating standardized manufacturing processes for the enclosed subsystem.
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 enhances the accuracy of position determination to 1 cm for GNSS and 3 cm relative positioning, reduces signal interference, and allows for compact, robust, and easily transportable tracking devices with improved UHF performance and electromagnetic compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
a UHF transmitter and a UHF antenna for transmitting the tracking signal, the UHF antenna comprising a hollow inner conducting cylinder and an outer conducting cylinder spaced from and encircling the inner conducting cylinder
Implementation Method 2
The inner conducting cylinder thus functions as the ground plane for the outer conducting cylinder and the UHF antenna operates substantially as a patch antenna but adapted to broadcast uniformly over its full circumference
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A remote tracking device is provided for issuing a tracking signal containing position related data representing the momentary position of the tracking device, to a user station. The remote tracking device comprises a GNSS receiver and a GNSS antenna for receiving satellite positioning signals, a processor for converting the satellite positioning signals into position related data and a UHF transmitter and a UHF antenna for transmitting the tracking signal. The UHF antenna comprises an inner conducting cylinder and an outer conducting cylinder spaced from and encircling the inner conducting cylinder. As a result of this antenna configuration, improved omni-directional vertically polarized transmission characteristics are achievable without compromising the positioning of the GNSS antenna. By enclosing the electronic components within the inner conducting cylinder a compact design is achieved.