Novel Triple-Resonant Interdigital GNSS Patch Antenna

萨里卫星技术有限公司(SSTL)在先进的GNSS技术方面有着悠久的历史，范围从空间GPS接收器设计到伽利略GIOVE任务和FOC有效载荷。SSTL正在计划为新的精密星载全球导航卫星系统应用开发三频天线，因为商业上没有合适的紧凑型三频天线以所需的配置提供。因此，SSTL正在为这次比赛提出一种新颖的天线设计，既能满足其空间需求，又能满足这次SBRI通话的需求--即小巧、坚固、高性能和低成本，同时也适合低成本的大规模生产。采用了交指设计，允许在单个贴片状元件内实现三个频率的共振。这样就不需要堆叠多个元素，也不需要像宽带螺旋那样与地平面保持一定距离。该设计不需要非常高或稳定的介质材料，可以容纳在1 mm厚度内(最初不包括雷达罩)。对于一般应用，宽带低噪声放大器与天线集成在一起，可以在3到5V电压下工作，但可以取消选择这一制造选项，将其转换为无源天线。LNA将增加0.5毫米的包装，虽然这可以凹进安装面板，以保持1毫米的轮廓(不包括雷达罩)。将支持20分贝和45分贝的增益。这种方法将允许在适当的小封装中接收L1、L2和L5信号，该天线可以被合并到CPRA(相控阵)中。SSTL拥有用于调谐功能测试的消声设施，并拥有能够提供校准天线测量室的合作伙伴。在后续阶段，SSTL可以制造和测试少量天线，但只要用于空间应用的IP由SSTL维护，就有望将设计授权给大规模产品制造商，只要需要的话。

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has a long history in advanced GNSS technology ranging from space GPS receiver design up to Galileo GIOVE mission and FOC payloads. SSTL is planning the development of a triple frequency antenna for new precise spaceborne GNSS applications, as suitable compact triple frequency antennas are not available commercially in the configuration required. Hence SSTL is proposing a novel antenna design for this competition that meets both the needs of its space requirements and also the needs of this SBRI call - i.e. small, robust, high performance, and low cost, in a configuration that also lends itself to low cost mass manufacture.An interdigital design has been adopted that allows the achievement of resonance at three frequencies within a single patch-like element. This avoids the need for stacking multiple elements, or for a standing off from a ground plane as is required for a wideband spiral. The design does not require unusually high or stable dielectric material, and can be be accommodated within 1 mm thickness (initially excluding radome).For generic application, a wideband Low Noise Amplifier is integrated with the antenna that can be operated off 3 to 5V, but this can be deselected as a manufacturing option to transform it into a passive antenna. The LNA will add 0.5 mm to the package, though this could be recessed into the mounting panel to maintain the 1 mm profile (excluding radome). Gains of 20 dB and 45 dB will be supported. This approach will allow reception of L1, L2 and L5 signals, within a suitably small package that the antenna could be incorporated into a CPRA (phased array). SSTL has anechoic facilities for tuning functional test, and has partners who are able to offer calibrated antenna measurement chamber. For subsequent phases, SSTL can manufacture and test small quantities of antennas, but would expect to licence the design to a mass product manufacturer, exclusively if required, as long as the IP for use in space applications is maintained by SSTL.