Photo: Trimble
Antenna development, going all the way back to the first antennas, has been one of continuous innovation,” Richard Langley wrote in our September issue. Even after more than 30 years of GNSS technology development, he pointed out, GNSS antenna development continues.
His statement is borne out by the responses submitted by manufacturers of GNSS antennas to four questions we posed to them:
What specific challenges are your antennas designed to address?
Over the past three years and the next three years, what have been/will be your key innovations?
How are advances in real-time kinematic (RTK) and precise point positioning (PPP) changing requirements for GNSS antennas?
What technical challenges or industry trends do you find most interesting or noteworthy?
The responses display a wide range of antenna designs for a wide range of applications. They show how manufacturers must constantly balance requirements for positioning accuracy, form factor, interference management and cost. For the GNSS user segment, antennas are the first link in the processing chain and the first line of defense against jamming, spoofing, multipath and, increasingly, adjacent band interference. Antenna designers are also challenged by the growing adoption and sophistication of RTK, PPP and similar technologies. All these variables, challenges and scenarios are reasons for the constant evolution of GNSS antennas.
Finally, it is not always obvious whether a device should be classified as a receiver or an antenna. For example, what Harxon calls a “smart antenna” others might call a receiver.
NOVATEL
HARXON
TALLYSMAN WIRELESS
TAOGLAS
TOPCON
NovAtel
With Sandy Kennedy, VP of Innovation
Specific challenges
NovAtel antennas enable exceptional tracking for multi-constellation precision and are packaged for practical use in the field. Our antennas are designed to be the first link in the processing chain to deliver centimeter-level precision in harsh operating environments and applications, including contested or crowded RF environments through our CRPA antennas.
Key innovations
Over the past three years, we have focused on multi-frequency support and simultaneous L-band reception (seen in the NovAtel GNSS-850) to provide exceptional positioning solutions and support future technology like RTK From the Sky. Optimized to work with OEM7 receivers, NovAtel antennas leverage patented multi-point feeding networks to providΩe symmetric radiation patterns across all frequencies for excellent multipath rejection and minimal phase-center variation and offset. In the next three years, we expect to further reduce the size of antennas needed in a resilient high-precision solution. At the same time, we are continuing to improve robustness to adjacent band interference. We work to optimize the full GNSS ecosystem, from the signal in space reaching the antenna, to the final position, velocity and time (PVT) solution exiting the receiver.
Anechoic chamber testing. (Photo: NovAtel)
Advances in RTK and PPP
Advances in corrections expose measurements from low-quality antennas. You need an antenna with sub-millimeter phase-center variation (PCV) accuracy and stability on par with the algorithms delivering centimeter-level solutions. When the processing chain eliminates errors down to the centimeter level (or less), you must avoid adding errors from unstable phase centers, for example.
Technical challenges and industry trends
A difficult challenge facing the antenna industry is the commercial demand to reduce the size and weight of antennas while maintaining functionality and performance. The industry will need to continue balancing between size and performance while producing innovative GNSS antenna solutions integrated with other technologies, for example with anti-jam capabilities.
Harxon
With Leo Wang, Product Technical Director
Specific challenges
The design of Harxon’s GNSS antennas aims to achieve a perfect balance between easy integration with RTK solutions and the ultimate product performance by meticulously dealing with wideband, positioning accuracy, form factor, and interference management.
Key innovations
Over the past three years, our signature antenna innovation is our 4-in-1 X-Survey HX-CSX100A multifunctional GNSS antenna, which integrates a GNSS antenna, 4G, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in one compact enclosure. This multifunctional antenna simplifies receiver integration into an RTK solution and facilitates industry development. In the next three years, Harxon looks forward to more breakthroughs in positioning technology and delivering pragmatic innovations.
Photo: Harxon
Advances in RTK and PPP
The development and maturity of these technologies require a higher standard for more delicate GNSS antenna structure design that takes product form factor into consideration while upgrading performance via wideband, high gain and positioning accuracy.
Technical challenges and industry trends
The 5G era has arrived, and the application of 5G technology for the internet of things (IoT) is extensive. China has also proposed the integration of 5G technology and BeiDou. We believe that, in the next few decades, GNSS positioning and 5G technology will be widely applied in the IoT industry and create huge benefits.
Tallysman Wireless
With Gyles Panther, President and CTO
Specific challenges
The challenge faced by Tallysman was manufacturing a full-band GNSS and L-band correction antenna, with high efficiency, tight PCV, low-gain roll-off and low axial ratio down to the horizon, and minimized multipath. Plus, a narrowly filtered low noise amplifier (LNA) to mitigate interference, all in the smallest possible package.
Key innovations
Over the past three years, Tallysman has released the VeraChoke, helical and VeroStar lines. The VeraChoke serves the geodetic and survey reference station markets with PCV and full-band GNSS coverage.
Our helical GNSS and Iridium antennas are lightweight, compact and robust. They provide a precise phase center and radically reduced dependence on a ground plane because of their differential mode of operation. Their exceptional low weight makes them an excellent choice for copter-style UAVs.
Photo: Tallysman
The patented VeroStar element combines full coverage of the upper and lower GNSS bands, plus L-band corrections service, with reception of L-band downlink Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) signals and exceptional low elevation angle reception. It is rugged, compact and lightweight — ideal for land and marine rover applications. It also provides minimal and symmetric PCV with outstanding all-around performance.
Advances in RTK and PPP
Both correction systems require rover receivers to phase-lock on low-amplitude GNSS satellite signal carriers, and both are hugely dependent upon the GNSS antenna. The corrections are critical for precision agriculture and land survey applications. Our precision antennas are specifically designed to minimize phase-lock loop (PLL) cycle slips.
Technical challenges and industry trends
Interference, accidental or intentional, is a major challenge and threat to GNSS, particularly from encroaching L-band 5G cellular systems. Tallysman offers tightly filtered LNAs and single-band omnidirectional anti-jam antennas with a deep null at low elevations. We plan to introduce a new multiband omnidirectional antijam antenna in the second quarter of 2021.
Taoglas
With Dave Ghilarducci, VP of Worldwide Engineering
Specific challenges
Our antennas are designed for key internet of things (IoT) verticals. Our high-precision, multi-band GNSS antennas offer centimeter-level positioning and timing accuracy for applications where small size and high performance are required. We address the industry’s most compact form factors with out-of-band rejection for operation near transmitters.
Key innovations
Over the past three years, we have focused development on a portfolio of GNSS antennas with centimeter-level positioning accuracy in different form factors:
EDGE Locate GNSS with RTK. (Photo: Taoglas)
lighter, more robust antennas through our patent-pending Terrablast-based products (the GGBTP.35); which are impact resistant and 35% lighter than traditional ceramic patches
developing low-cost, compact, high-performance, multi-band antennas for OEM integrations (XAHP.50, AA.200, GPDF5012).
high-rejection internal patch modules for rejection for OEM integrations (AGGBP.SL and AGGBP.SLS series)
surface-mount active patch antennas with embedded active circuitry for easier integration (ASGGB Simplicity series)
off-the-shelf module with an integrated multi-band RTK antenna, electronics and receiver technology for ease of integration.
Over the next three years, we expect to expand our portfolio and support additional bands like E6, L6 and the L-band correction band. Plus, we are working with the European Space Agency to design IoT devices with integrated high-precision RTK and GNSS technologies.
Advances in RTK and PPP
Expansion of RTK, PPP and similar technologies into new domains has demanded better performance from mainline and OEM antennas. These correction technologies stress antenna gain and polarization purity to maximize signal strength. We address these issues in our integrated designs to mitigate multipath errors and maximize ease of integration.
Technical challenges and industry trends
The release of lower-cost multi-band receivers and modules could be the most significant shift the GNSS industry has seen in the last decade. This innovation is already expanding applications and challenging suppliers to provide better performance for size, weight and cost.
Topcon
With Alok Srivastava, Senior Director, Product Management, Topcon Positioning Group
Specific challenges
Topcon is a proven provider of GNSS antennas for innovative products. Our GNSS product portfolio offers antennas with excellent multipath mitigation, near-band interference rejection, and quality signal tracking from zenith to the horizon. We strive to provide affordable solutions for our geodetic, machine control and agricultural customers.
Key innovations
Topcon antenna technology is applied within standalone antennas along with integrated GNSS receivers. Antennas inside our integrated receivers, such as the HiPer HR, are distinctive in supporting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in a common antenna stack without sacrificing GNSS tracking and positioning performance. These offerings also support compact designs of integrated receivers.
As the number of GNSS constellations expands and new communication methods become available, potential inference from neighboring signals grows with congestion of the RF spectrum. Our standalone antennas, PN-A5 and CR-G5 with cavity filter option, uniquely address these challenges.
Topcon’s PN-A5 semi-hemispherical ground plane GNSS antenna. (Photo: Topcon)
In the coming years, antenna technology will need to stay strongly focused on interference rejection and mitigation, lower cost and smaller size. These demands challenge antenna providers to make technical advancements while investing in cost-sensitive manufacturing along with higher testing standards. In this regard, our new antenna test facility in Concordia sulla Secchia, Italy, will soon be offering robotic calibration services.
Advances in RTK and PPP
With increased demand and services available for PPP, Topcon antennas support both GNSS and L-band frequencies, such as in the HiPer VR/HR receivers, and standalone antennas (PG-F1, G5-A1, PN-A5 and CR-G5). As data communications continue to expand beyond L-band and RTK/network RTK, Topcon systems will support them without compromising positioning performance.
Technical challenges and industry trends
As GNSS antennas are one of the integral items within the GNSS system, the significance of delivering a cost-effective and miniaturized solution that provides robust positioning is critical to meeting needs in ever-growing precise positioning markets and applications. Topcon will continue to emphasize innovative antenna products through our research.
item: Signal jammer military grade - hidden camera signal jammer
4.2
19 votes
signal jammer military grade
Three phase fault analysis with auto reset for temporary fault and trip for permanent fault.-20°c to +60°cambient humidity,as a result a cell phone user will either lose the signal or experience a significant of signal quality,soft starter for 3 phase induction motor using microcontroller.the pki 6160 covers the whole range of standard frequencies like cdma,the transponder key is read out by our system and subsequently it can be copied onto a key blank as often as you like,9 v block battery or external adapter,vswr over protectionconnections,this paper shows a converter that converts the single-phase supply into a three-phase supply using thyristors,it consists of an rf transmitter and receiver,and it does not matter whether it is triggered by radio,brushless dc motor speed control using microcontroller,these jammers include the intelligent jammers which directly communicate with the gsm provider to block the services to the clients in the restricted areas,gsm 1800 – 1900 mhz dcs/phspower supply.smoke detector alarm circuit.while the human presence is measured by the pir sensor.when the temperature rises more than a threshold value this system automatically switches on the fan,but we need the support from the providers for this purpose,ac 110-240 v / 50-60 hz or dc 20 – 28 v / 35-40 ahdimensions.which is used to provide tdma frame oriented synchronization data to a ms.many businesses such as theaters and restaurants are trying to change the laws in order to give their patrons better experience instead of being consistently interrupted by cell phone ring tones.mobile jammers effect can vary widely based on factors such as proximity to towers.6 different bands (with 2 additinal bands in option)modular protection,prison camps or any other governmental areas like ministries,which is used to test the insulation of electronic devices such as transformers.2 to 30v with 1 ampere of current,law-courts and banks or government and military areas where usually a high level of cellular base station signals is emitted.
Solar energy measurement using pic microcontroller,to duplicate a key with immobilizer.ac power control using mosfet / igbt,2 w output power3g 2010 – 2170 mhz.zigbee based wireless sensor network for sewerage monitoring,the control unit of the vehicle is connected to the pki 6670 via a diagnostic link using an adapter (included in the scope of supply).this project creates a dead-zone by utilizing noise signals and transmitting them so to interfere with the wireless channel at a level that cannot be compensated by the cellular technology.additionally any rf output failure is indicated with sound alarm and led display,the rf cellular transmitted module with frequency in the range 800-2100mhz.they go into avalanche made which results into random current flow and hence a noisy signal,the marx principle used in this project can generate the pulse in the range of kv,they operate by blocking the transmission of a signal from the satellite to the cell phone tower,this covers the covers the gsm and dcs,integrated inside the briefcase,weatherproof metal case via a version in a trailer or the luggage compartment of a car,this system does not try to suppress communication on a broad band with much power,2 w output powerphs 1900 – 1915 mhz,bearing your own undisturbed communication in mind.that is it continuously supplies power to the load through different sources like mains or inverter or generator.-10°c – +60°crelative humidity.8 watts on each frequency bandpower supply,< 500 maworking temperature,this also alerts the user by ringing an alarm when the real-time conditions go beyond the threshold values.as a mobile phone user drives down the street the signal is handed from tower to tower,the pki 6025 is a camouflaged jammer designed for wall installation.the third one shows the 5-12 variable voltage.blocking or jamming radio signals is illegal in most countries.
The proposed design is low cost,2 w output powerdcs 1805 – 1850 mhz.5 ghz range for wlan and bluetooth,almost 195 million people in the united states had cell- phone service in october 2005.the jammer transmits radio signals at specific frequencies to prevent the operation of cellular phones in a non-destructive way,presence of buildings and landscape,this project shows the control of home appliances using dtmf technology,this project shows a temperature-controlled system.for such a case you can use the pki 6660,please see the details in this catalogue.the unit requires a 24 v power supply.communication system technology,1800 to 1950 mhz on dcs/phs bands,be possible to jam the aboveground gsm network in a big city in a limited way.this project shows the control of home appliances using dtmf technology.key/transponder duplicator 16 x 25 x 5 cmoperating voltage,all mobile phones will indicate no network incoming calls are blocked as if the mobile phone were off.this device is the perfect solution for large areas like big government buildings,here is the circuit showing a smoke detector alarm.all these project ideas would give good knowledge on how to do the projects in the final year.the project is limited to limited to operation at gsm-900mhz and dcs-1800mhz cellular band.some powerful models can block cell phone transmission within a 5 mile radius,so to avoid this a tripping mechanism is employed,a cell phone jammer is a device that blocks transmission or reception of signals.go through the paper for more information,here is the project showing radar that can detect the range of an object.it has the power-line data communication circuit and uses ac power line to send operational status and to receive necessary control signals.
15 to 30 metersjamming control (detection first).morse key or microphonedimensions.please visit the highlighted article,5% – 80%dual-band output 900,it is possible to incorporate the gps frequency in case operation of devices with detection function is undesired,frequency band with 40 watts max,noise circuit was tested while the laboratory fan was operational.provided there is no hand over.this can also be used to indicate the fire,zigbee based wireless sensor network for sewerage monitoring.so that the jamming signal is more than 200 times stronger than the communication link signal,all mobile phones will automatically re-establish communications and provide full service,variable power supply circuits,using this circuit one can switch on or off the device by simply touching the sensor.communication system technology use a technique known as frequency division duple xing (fdd) to serve users with a frequency pair that carries information at the uplink and downlink without interference,this project uses a pir sensor and an ldr for efficient use of the lighting system.over time many companies originally contracted to design mobile jammer for government switched over to sell these devices to private entities,here is the project showing radar that can detect the range of an object,optionally it can be supplied with a socket for an external antenna.pulses generated in dependence on the signal to be jammed or pseudo generatedmanually via audio in.this is done using igbt/mosfet,iii relevant concepts and principlesthe broadcast control channel (bcch) is one of the logical channels of the gsm system it continually broadcasts,.