Novel Wideband Antenna for GNSS and Satellite Communications

• Published in: 2020 14th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP) pp. 1 - 5
• Main Authors: Jovic, Slobodan, Clenet, Michel, M.M., Yahia Antar
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: EurAAP 01.03.2020
• Subjects: antennas; Broadband antennas; Dielectric resonator antennas; Dielectrics; electromagnetic band-gap structures; electromagnetic periodic structures; Global navigation satellite system; global navigation satellite systems; global positioning system; Loaded antennas; Satellite antennas; Satellite communication
• DOI: 10.23919/EuCAP48036.2020.9135610

A novel concept of a dual-sense circularly polarized dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) for the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and other satellite communications is presented. The concept introduces a loaded annular dielectric resonator excited using four vertical conformal strips fed in a quadrature. The most unique feature of this antenna is the resonator load, which modifies the boundary conditions of the resonator core. The load is a one-dimensional array of periodic elements that behave like an electromagnetic band-gap structure (EBG). The impact on the antenna performance is multifold, including improved bandwidth, radiation efficiency and reduced mutual coupling between the excitation ports. The experimental results show that this antenna effectively covers both the lower (1165-1300 MHz) and upper (1560-1610 MHz) GNSS bands. The 0 dBic gain and 3 dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth significantly exceed the 10 dB return loss (RL) bandwidth. The 0 dBic gain and 3 dB AR beamwidth range from 105° to 120° and from 135° to 165°, respectively, within the GNSS bands. The antenna also exhibits a stop-band at 1355 MHz.