Compact Circularly Polarized Antenna with a Capacitive Feed for GPS/GLONASS Applications

This letter presents a novel compact circularly polarized patch antenna for Global Positioning System/Global Navigation Satellite System (GPS/GLONASS) applications. The proposed antenna is composed of a simple square radiating patch fed by a capacitive dual‐feeder to increase the impedance bandwidth and a lumped element hybrid coupler to achieve the broadband characteristic of the axial ratio (AR). The realized antenna dimensions are 28 mm × 28 mm × 4 mm, which is the most compact size among the dual‐band GPS/GLONASS antennas reported to date. The measured results demonstrate that the proposed antenna has a gain of 2.5 dBi to 4.2 dBi and an AR of 0.41 dB to 1.51 dB over the GPS/GLONASS L1 band (1.575 GHz to 1.61 GHz).     

Novel integrated GPS/RKES/PCS antenna for vehicular application

This letter presents the design of a novel integrated global positioning system (GPS)/remote keyless entry system (RKES)/personal communication system (PCS) antenna for vehicular application. The GPS (1575.42 /spl plusmn/ 1.023MHz) antenna element is a corner truncated microstrip patch providing circularly polarized broadside radiation pattern. The normal mode helical and monopole antennas are combined into one for RKES/PCS (447.7375MHz/1750-1870MHz) services. The proposed antenna satisfies all the bandwidth and gain requirements for GPS and RKES/PCS services. Good radiation characteristics for vehicular application have also been obtained.     

双模导航接收机时间系统一致性研究

卫星导航接收机在某些特殊地域使用时,集成了GPS和GLONASS的双模接收机可以弥补单模接收机的劣势,从而明显提高定位的可靠性及可用性。而GPS和GLONASS时间系统的不一致性对GPS/GLONASS双模接收机有重要制约,对其定位精度产生了一定影响。对GPS和GLONASS的时间系统差异进行了研究,给出对其一致性分析的具体方法。可推广至多导航模块的接收机中,从而使定位精度更加精准可靠。     

Analysis and Performance of a Smart Antenna for 2.45-GHz Single-Anchor Indoor Positioning

This paper presents the theoretical analysis and the experimental evaluation of a new switched beam antenna designed to operate at 2.45 GHz. The antenna enables direction of arrival estimation using six directional planar elements arranged to form a platonic solid geometry. It also supports polarization diversity, and it is suitable for single-anchor indoor positioning applications. We adopt the CramÉr–Rao bound to study the estimation accuracy of the proposed antenna in absolute 2-D target positioning using received signal strength measurements. First, we describe the design principles for the radiators, we provide an extensive characterization of the switched antenna prototype, and we discuss positioning applications. We then report experimental data that support the results of the theoretical analysis and show consistency between theoretical expectation and the measurements. Finally, we discuss results from proof-of-concept operative indoor positioning example, showing an average localization error as low as 1.7 m.      

Analysis of electromagnetic radiation from shaped-end radiatorsusing the finite difference time domain method

The finite difference time domain (FDTD) technique is a popular method for analyzing electromagnetic scattering, radiation, and penetration problems. Several authors have recently applied the FDTD method to antenna radiation problems. To date, the antenna structures considered have been wire and conical monopole antennas, rectangular waveguides, pyramidal horn antennas, and microstrip antennas. Results from these analysis have been in the form of normalized field patterns and no results showing absolute gain have been presented. The article demonstrates the first staircased application of the FDTD method to the analysis of radiation from circular waveguides and other shaped-end radiators. Results of absolute gain versus angle are shown for a straight-cut circular waveguide and for two different shaped-end radiators. All FDTD analyses are full three-dimensional computations and are compared in each case with measured data     

Combined GPS/GLONASS LAAS flight trials

The use of GPS in aviation is now accepted, with extensive work being undertaken on the technological, precision and infrastructure requirements. Work has focused on providing a service that is able to operate continuously in all areas. GPS alone, however, is seen as being unable to satisfy the stringent requirements for some phases of flight. Of the many solutions proposed, the Russian GLONASS system has been regularly overlooked. The research described in this paper aims to present GLONASS as a realistic and proven augmentation to GPS for aircraft positioning. During October 1996 the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Institute of Satellite Navigation (ISN) at the University of Leeds, in conjunction with the National Air Traffic Services Ltd (NATS UK) and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), performed a series of landmark differential GPS/GLONASS flight tests using the DERA BAC 1–11 flying laboratory. A real-time differential system was constructed using two GPS/GLONASS receivers developed by the ISN and a C-band data link for the RTCA corrections. Integration onboard the aircraft with avionic sensors and flight management systems was achieved using the ARINC 429 protocol. Routes were designed and flown to evaluate the complete system over a variety of airborne dynamics for both en-route and approach situations. In total, over 16 h of flying time was recorded, including 30 runway approaches over nine flights. A thorough evaluation of the accuracy and integrity of the positioning system was performed. Emphasis was made in comparing the flight statistics with recognized Required Navigation Performance (RNP) figures. The paper describes in detail the project development and the results achieved. An analysis of the results, showing that aircraft positioning with GPS/GLONASS augmentation in a local area augmentation system (LAAS) scenario can achieve accuracies that are both comparable with GPS-alone solutions and can satisfy up to CAT II precision approach criteria, is presented. Results are also given for position propagation using velocities derived from GPS and GLONASS carrier phase measurements. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study on the algorithms to correct and compensate for GLONASS signal deviation based on GNSS receiver

At present, because of the construction of the navigation and positioning systems such as the China BeiDou, the research on complex receivers has become very urgent and active. This paper reports on the compatibility of the combined GPS and GLONASS data processing system. Because of the Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) access technique applied in GLONASS satellites, while different signals of GLONASS satellites pass through different parts of the Radio Frequency (RF), the group delay effect can appear. Especially, if the hardware design of the base station and rover station are different, the problem is more severe. Aimed at these issues, the reasons and conditions are studied and then the comprehensive correction methods of deviation are proposed such as: effective real‐time pseudorange and carrier phase deviation correction compensation; tracking GLONASS L2 signal; establishing a eceiver name database; base station providing the receiver name; rover station correcting deviation according to different base stations, and so on. Through the use of schemes and algorithms, the objective existence GLONASS deviation can be reduced, and the capacity of the GPS+GLONASS complex system can be improved. It is also demonstrated that if the base station receiver and rover are from different manufactures, the deviation from GLONASS pseudorange and carrier phase can lead to the failure of achieving centimeter level. With the algorithms, in all the applications and in any base station or networked system, the GPS+GLONASS complex system can exhibit the advantages over just GPS applied system both in positioning accuracy and positioning speed and other real‐time kinematic (RTK) positioning performance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of the characteristics of microstrip antennas in the decimeter wave range

Graphic dependences allowing one to promptly estimate the basic parameters of microstrip antennas (MSAs) are obtained for two frequency zones of decimeter wavelength range with central frequencies of 1600 MHz and 406 MHz, in which the equipment of satellite positioning systems (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BEIDOU) and the COSPAS-SARSAT emergency radio beacon equipment operate. The influence of cuts in the MSA radiator that form a slow-wave structure (SWS) on the resonance frequency and frequency bandwidth of the antenna are studied. A technique of designing an MSA with circularly polarized radiated waves and this SWS is proposed, and the double impedance frequency band expansion is reached. The obtained bandwidth data are compared with theoretical limit values calculated from specified relation-ships that take into account the dissipative loss in the radiator. The MSA radiation efficiency is estimated.     

Integrated GPS/GLONASS navigation: Algorithms and results

The presence of selective availability (SA) on GPS has led to a variety of proposals for mitigation of its effects, for example combining GPS with other sensors or by identifying and removing the SA using redundant information in the position solution. A further method for reducing the impact of SA is the combination of GPS and GLONASS measurements. GLONASS does not have any deliberate degradation. This paper describes several algorithms for combining GPS and GLONASS measurements in real time on a single receiver. There are two least squares solutions using the code phase measurements alone: one with the measurements from both systems weighted equally, and one with the measurements weighted by the covariance of the measurements. Kalman filters with no SA model, and first- and second-order models, using both the code and carrier phase to estimate user position and velocity, are also implemented. Two different adaptive schemes are compared which attempt to identify SA model parameters in real time. The algorithms are compared in terms of their positioning accuracy, computational overhead and robustness. A ten-channel GPS/GLONASS receiver developed at The University of Leeds is used to provide satellite data for the evaluation of the different methods.     

Performance of the GLONASS P-code at L1 and L2 frequencies

The transmission of satellite signals at two widely spaced frequencies allows correction of the ionospheric delay. Both GPS and GLONASS transmit such signals, and to date there have been no published dual frequency GLONASS studies. This paper shows the fundamental accuracy of the Leeds University multichannel GPS/GLONASS receiver. Details are then given of the processing methods that have been used to obtain the ionospheric group delay using GLONASS L1 and L2 P-code measurements. Examples of the measured delay are provided and compared with the GPS model. Navigation results are shown using the P-code phase at L1 only and with a combination of the L1 and L2 measurements. An analysis of the accuracy of the P-code pseudorange and navigation capability is presented.     

Realisation of printed-on-display antenna for mobile terminals

A design method is presented for a printed-on-display (POD) antenna, which is intended to replace the traditional antennas installed on diverse wireless mobile terminals which have both an antenna and an electronic display. The POD antenna is composed of printed radiators which are made of a material being both electrically conductive and optically transparent     

GNSS CODE AND CARRIER TRACKING IN THE PRESENCE OF MULTIPATH

It is well known that multipath represents a major error source in differential GNSS positioning. Errors produced are unique to each antenna position and so are uncorrelated between the reference station and the mobile receiver. Reduction techniques, such as narrow correlator spacing¹ and the multipath estimating delay lock loop (MEDLL)² have improved the situation. However, reflected signals emanating close to the antenna are not reduced by either technique. Carrier multipath is a particular problem because short delay multipath signals cause maximum carrier errors. This study describes the analysis that has been carried out into code and carrier tracking in the presence of multipath. Code tracking in this situation produces a non-zero mean error,³ and the source of this bias has been investigated. Code and carrier multipath errors of the global orbiting navigation satellite system (GLONASS) have been compared with those of the global positioning system (GPS). The effects of pre-correlation filtering on code and carrier multipath errors have been determined using data from a measured correlation function. The multipath fading bandwidth is also discussed, and fast and slow fading effects are presented. A comparison has been made of the performance of typical coherent and non-coherent code discriminators in the presence of multipath. The performance of the GPS and GLONASS P code signals have been determined with respect to code and carrier multipath errors. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

GPS/GLONASS/BDS三系统组合定位的定权方法

为了提高 GPS/GLONASS/BDS三系统组合定位的稳定性和精确度,研究加权最小二乘定位中的定权方法。提出一种结合高度角先验定权和验后方差估计的定权方法,利用多系统兼容接收机实测数据进行仿真验证。结果表明,相较于传统的最小二乘法,该定权方法可以明显改善多系统组合定位的精确度,且具有很好的抗差性能,提高了定位结果的稳定性,可应用于多系统兼容接收机组合定位解算中。     

Miniature Interferometer Terminals for Earth Surveying: Ambiguity And Multipath with Global Positioning System

With the recent launching of several satellites of the global positioning system (GPS), a variety of schemes based on radio interferometry have been proposed for the accurate determination of relative positions of receiving terminals on the ground. Provided that the integer-cycle ambiguities of the interferometric phase observations can be correctly resolved, the baseline vector extending from the antenna of one terminal to that of another should be determinable with uncertainty much smaller than the 19-cm wavelength of the GPS transmissions. We propose a method of ambiguity resolution that is suitable for observations made with antennas of low directive gain. Such antennas are compact, but the feasibility of their use has been questioned because observations with them are susceptible to multipath interference. For short-baseline interferometric observations of GPS our method yields correct ambiguity resolution despite severe multipath interference and significant sky blockage, even when instability of the frequency standards governing the separate receiving terminals limits the time span of coherent integration to five minutes.     

Optimization of PIFA-IFA combination in handset antenna designs

As commercial needs have expanded the functions of the wireless cellular handsets, multiantenna development in one handset has become more and more common. This paper addresses a multiantenna solution for the wireless handset application. A planar inverted "F" antenna (PIFA) was designed as the main antenna of the handset to cover the 800 MHz band (824 MHz-894 MHz) and the 1900 MHz band (1850 MHz-1990 MHz). A side-mounted inverted "F" antenna (IFA) was designed as the 1575.42 MHz global positioning system (GPS) antenna. The location of the feed/ground pins of both antennas affected not only the total antenna efficiency, but also the polarization of the GPS IFA. The length of the GPS IFA affected the isolation between the two antennas and the specific absorption rate (SAR) of the PIFA at the 1900 MHz band. A three-dimensional efficiency measurement of the prototypes in both free space and against-head position will be presented. Measurement of SAR and its distribution will also be presented to demonstrate the impact of the IFA on the near field of the PIFA.     

New Proximity Coupled Feeding Method for Reconfigurable Circularly Polarized Microstrip Ring Antennas

A new simple single-feed method for circularly polarized ring antennas has been investigated. Experimental and theoretical investigation show that either right-handed (RH) or left-handed (LP) circular polarization (CP) can be easily achieved by selecting one of the two input ports of the antennas. The proposed U-shaped microstrip feed line excites the fundamental ${rm TM}_{11}$ mode of the ring radiating elements through proximity coupling along the semi-annular section of the line. The induced rotating surface currents on the ring radiators contribute to the circular polarization behavior of the antennas. Two types of rings have been investigated. Square ring prototypes operate at 2.7 GHz have been designed, fabricated and evaluated to show the basic operating principles of the antennas, while annular ring radiating elements operate at 2.255 GHz are realized to demonstrate the reconfigurable capability of the new feeding structure. In the reconfigurable design, a high isolation RF switch is used to direct the input signal between the two input ports. With suitable biasing arrangement of the RF switch, the antenna is capable to radiate at either types of circular polarization. The reconfigurable design is fed by a single microstrip line. Return losses, axial ratios, gains and radiation patterns of the prototype antennas have been measured for verifications. A parametric study of the new feeding structures with a square ring has been carried out for important design guidelines.      

用于高精度实时动态定位的整周模糊度解算

本文主要针对RTK技术中最关键的问题——整周模糊度解算进行了深入分析和详细讨论,并以此为基础,实现了一种具有较强实用性的高精度实时动态定位算法。实验结果表明,该算法对GPS和GLONASS数据均可实现毫米级的精确定位。     

一种BDS/GPS/GLONASS融合精密单点定位方法

给出了一种基于 BDS/GPS/GLONASS 融合的精密单点定位方法,统一了三系统组合精密定位的时间系统和空间系统,建立了精密单点定位非差组合模型,并利用观测数据进行了精密单点定位解算。计算结果表明,相比单一系统而言,三系统组合有效缩短定位收敛时间以及提高在单系统卫星数较少或者卫星星座分布较差时的定位精度,无论是从连续性、可用性、可靠性、精度以及效率等各方面都更具优势。     

The Impact of Slow-Wave Modes on the Radiation Performance of a Corrugated Horn Antenna

Corrugated horn antennas offer many advantages compared with other waveguide radiators. A major disadvantage which is inherent with the design of a corrugated horn is the fact that slow-wave modes may exist within the horn antenna. In this paper far-field measurements of a W-band horn antenna are presented. The experimental data is compared with simulated data to confirm the presence of slow-wave modes. The analysis is completed by determining the waist, the gaussicity and the phase center location of both the experimental and model data. Finally a redesign approach is proposed which suppresses the slow-wave modes and therefore increases the usable bandwidth of the horn antenna.     

Comparative study of high-performance GPS receiving antenna designs

The FAA decision allowing the use of the global positioning system (GPS) as a radio navigation and landing help system in the United States commercial airports boosts the need for a high-performance GPS receiver which provides the demanded precision. The design of the receiving antenna is one of the most important parts in the design process, as it has to face significant challenges including uniform coverage of all satellites and the rejection of the multipath signals. The rejection of the multipath signals is accomplished by specifying restrictive criteria to the GPS antenna. This includes a high rejection of the cross-polarized signals and a radiation pattern with a sharp slope for low-elevation angles; that is, near the horizon. The feasibility of using different types of antennas to satisfy restrictive criteria such as dual-frequency coverage (L1 and L2 frequencies), -15 dB cross-polarization rejection, and a beamwidth of more than 130° is discussed. The antenna designs examined in this study include patch antennas, helical antennas, and conical spiral antennas. Two different receiver designs were also examined including a single-antenna system with a hemispherical coverage and an antenna array which may provide independent sectoral coverage or the desired beamwidth. It is shown that a design based on a conical spiral antenna backed with absorbing material may be used to satisfy all the desired specifications. This result was confirmed experimentally