A GPS Antenna for Precise Orbit Determination of the SWARM Satellites

摘要

The three ESA SWARM satellites will measure the earth magnetic field. Precise orbit determination (POD) obtained with dual band signals from up to eight GPS satellites, is required. The developed satellite antenna is a small patch excited cup. The antenna pattern has to be accurately characterized and is used in ground processing. Accurate computations of the pattern with the strong impact from the satellite have been performed, and the final characterization data are obtained from measurements on an RF mock-up.