GPS antenna runs from lower supply voltages

Innovative active GPS antenna operates from any voltage in the range 1.8 to 6V DC.

CTi has developed an innovative active GPS antenna that operates from any voltage in the range 1.8 to 6V DC.

The GPS-UNI is believed to be the first in the industry that is capable of operating from such a low voltage - most competing products on the market require at least 3.3V.

The antenna is particularly suitable for automatic vehicle location and tracking applications; its very low voltage requirements mean that a vehicle can continue to find and report its location until its battery is virtually exhausted - significantly extending the time available to recover the vehicle in the event of it having been stolen.

The GPS-UNI antenna is suitable for use with any standard 1575.42MHz GPS receiver capable of supplying 1.8 to 6V DC antenna power.

Its built-in low noise amplifier has a very low power consumption of just 100mW and provides a forward gain of 26dBi, which is held essentially constant for all operating voltages.

The antenna has a nominal 50ohm output impedance and an output VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) of better than 2:1.

As standard, the GPS-UNI antenna comes with 3m of RG174 cable, terminated with an SMA male RF connector.

It can also be supplied with different cable lengths and connectors, including blue Type C Fakra.

The antenna is housed in a robust ABS enclosure designed for everyday environmental protection - though it is not intended for total immersion - and is available in magnetic mount and adhesive dash-mount versions.

Forming the latest addition to CTi's comprehensive portfolio of GPS antennas, the new GPS-UNI model is derived from the company's well established range of fixed 3.3 and 5.0V DC supply versions, and is available with a number of different gain levels.

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