Shorted Annular Patch Antenna with Shunted Stubs for GPS Interference Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS antennas face challenges in achieving low cost, sufficient beamwidth, and deep horizon nulls for effective interference rejection, particularly due to the need for active electronics and sensitivity to installation environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of shorted annular ring microstrip patch antennas with shunted stubs enables right-hand circularly polarized radiation with a single feed port, utilizing low-cost PCB architecture and a simplified feed structure to achieve circular polarization and deep horizon nulls, allowing for multi-band GPS timing reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If active electronics are used to achieve deep horizon nulls, then interference rejection is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes active electronics from the antenna system entirely. Instead, it uses passive geometric features (shunted stubs extending from the annular ring at specific angles) to create horizon nulls through controlled electromagnetic field distribution, achieving interference rejection without complex electronic components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive active electronic components with simple, inexpensive passive PCB structures. The shunted stubs are fabricated directly on the PCB using standard printing techniques, eliminating the need for costly active electronics while maintaining effective horizon nulling capability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If active electronics are used for horizon nulling, then interference rejection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts active electronics from the system and replaces them with passive geometric features that can be fabricated using standard PCB printing techniques, dramatically reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining horizon nulling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The shunted stubs are implemented as simple printed conductive traces on the PCB, using inexpensive materials and standard manufacturing processes, eliminating the need for costly active electronic components and their associated assembly and calibration
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple antenna elements are used for null steering, then interference rejection is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (circular polarization generation and horizon nulling) into a single integrated antenna structure. The shunted stubs simultaneously create the necessary field distributions for both RHCP operation and horizon null formation, eliminating the need for separate antenna elements and complex null-steering mechanisms
4Object-affected harmful factors
If horizon null depth is maximized, then interference rejection is improved, but beamwidth may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies localized geometric modifications (shunted stubs at specific angular positions) to the annular ring structure. These localized features create deep horizon nulls in specific directions while maintaining the overall omnidirectional radiation pattern and sufficient beamwidth for GPS satellite reception
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
These antennas provide effective interference rejection with reduced manufacturing costs and minimal performance degradation in real-world environments, maintaining sufficient beamwidth for GPS applications while reducing the complexity of electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
provide RHCP with only a single feed port... enable RHCP with just a single feed port spaced 45 degrees from one of the pathways
Implementation Method 2
shorted annular ring patch antennas... can be configured for multi-band GPS timing reception
Implementation Method 3
Antennas, according to some embodiments, can be made using low-cost printed circuit board (PCB) architecture. The simplified architecture reduces the number of electronic components necessary to support circular polarization and horizon nulling
Data Source
AI summary
A microstrip antenna for circularly polarized radiation including a substrate, a ground layer disposed on a first side of the substrate, a first radiating layer disposed on a second side of the substrate opposite the first side, one or more first electrically conductive pathways extending from the ground layer to the first radiating layer, wherein the one or more first electrically conductive pathways form a ring about an axis, one or more second electrically conductive pathways extending from the ground layer to the first radiating layer, wherein the one or more second electrically conductive pathways are disposed along a portion of a first line extending outwardly from the ring, and a feed conductor for connecting the antenna to a feed line.