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Design and Installed Performance Analysis of a Miniaturized All-GNSS Bands Antenna Array for Robust Navigation on UAV
Simon P Hehenberger1, Wahid Elmarissi1, Stefano Caizzone1
1Institute of Communication and Navigation, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 82234 Wessling, Germany.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 23, 2022
Summary
A new compact, 3D-printed antenna array enhances Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) performance for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This robust system offers precise navigation even in challenging environments with interference and multipath effects.
Area of Science:
- Electrical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Antenna Theory and Design
Background:
- Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are critical for industries requiring precise positioning.
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) increasingly demand robust GNSS navigation for critical applications.
- Existing GNSS solutions face challenges with size, weight, and interference in UAV applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design a lightweight, miniaturized, wideband antenna array for GNSS receivers on UAVs.
- To achieve robust navigation capabilities in challenging environments with multipath and interference.
- To incorporate a multipath mitigation solution within the antenna design.
Main Methods:
- Development of a four-element wideband antenna array with a 100 mm diameter footprint.
- Utilization of a modular design featuring 3D printed Dielectric Resonator Antennas (DRAs) and vertical choke rings.
- Performance evaluation through installed antenna simulations, anechoic chamber measurements, and UAV-mounted GNSS tests.
Main Results:
- The antenna array operates across all GNSS frequency bands.
- Simulations and measurements validated the antenna's radiation pattern, considering installation height effects.
- Successful GNSS measurements were demonstrated with the array both standalone and mounted on a UAV.
Conclusions:
- The developed 3D-printed antenna array offers a viable solution for robust GNSS navigation in UAVs.
- The compact and modular design addresses size and weight constraints for small mobile platforms.
- The system demonstrates potential for improved navigation accuracy and reliability in challenging RF environments.
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