A Miniaturized All-GNSS Bands Antenna Array Incorporating Multipath Suppression for Robust Satellite Navigation on UAV Plattforms

Kurzfassung

Nowadays, an increasing trend to use autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for applications like logistics as well as security and surveillance can be recorded. Autonomic UAVs require robust and precise navigation to ensure efficient and save operation even in strong multipath environments and (intended) interference. The need for robust navigation on UAVs implies the necessary integration of low-cost, lightweight and compact array antennas as well as structures for multipath mitigation into the UAV platform. This article investigates a miniaturized antenna array mounted on top of vertical choke rings for robust navigation purposes. The array employs four 3D printed elements based on dielectric resonators capable to operate in all GNSS bands while being compact enough for mobile applications such as UAV.