Design, Simulation, and Testing of a Miniaturized GPS Dual-Frequency (L1/L2) Antenna Array

摘要

NAVSYS Corporation has developed a 7-element GPS L1/L2 Small Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (SCRPA) packaged in a 7-inch form factor. In order to further reduce the footprint of the antenna array such the GPS technology can be more widely adopted, NAVSYS Corporation teamed up with SPAWAR Systems Center, Naval Research Laboratory, and EDO Corporation under ONR sponsorship to design and develop a 7-element dual-frequency L1/L2 S-CRPA in a 5.3-inch form factor. This paper will report the design and simulation of the 5.3-inch 7-element L1/L2 S-CRPA and present measurements of the antenna array prototype. Simulation and test results will be summarized including the input impedance of antenna elements, the mutual coupling between antenna elements, the radiation pattern of the antenna elements, and the antenna array performance when integrated with antenna electronics and used for GPS navigation.