Novel Triple-Resonant Interdigital GNSS Patch Antenna

萨里卫星技术有限公司（SSTL）在先进GNSS技术方面有着悠久的历史，从空间GPS接收器设计到伽利略GIOVE任务和FOC有效载荷。SSTL正在计划为新的精确星载GNSS应用开发一种三频天线，因为合适的紧凑型三频天线在所需的配置中还没有商用。因此，SSTL为本次竞赛提出了一种新颖的天线设计，既满足其空间需求，也满足SBRI呼叫的需求，即小型，坚固，高性能和低成本，其配置也适合低成本的大规模生产。采用了一种数字间设计，允许在单个贴片式元件内实现三个频率的共振。这避免了堆叠多个元件的需要，也避免了宽带螺旋所需的与地平面的分离。该设计不需要异常高或稳定的介电材料，并且可以容纳在1毫米厚度内（最初不包括天线罩）。对于一般应用，宽带低噪声放大器与可以在3至5V工作的天线集成在一起，但这可以作为制造选项取消选择，将其转换为无源天线。LNA将增加0.5毫米的封装，尽管这可以嵌入到安装面板中以保持1毫米的轮廓（不包括天线罩）。增益为20db和45db。这种方法将允许接收L1， L2和L5信号，在一个合适的小封装内，天线可以并入CPRA（相控阵）。SSTL拥有用于调谐功能测试的消声设备，并拥有能够提供校准天线测量室的合作伙伴。在随后的阶段，SSTL可以制造和测试小批量的天线，但只要SSTL维护用于空间应用的IP，只要需要，SSTL将期望将设计授权给大规模产品制造商。

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.