GPS antennas are simple to integrate

Sequoia Wireless has a new family of compact GPS antennas offering simple integration into mobile, handheld and unobtrusive applications.

Sequoia Wireless has a new family of compact GPS antennas offering simple integration into mobile, handheld and unobtrusive applications.

The GeoHelix is optimised for use in L1 Band GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers, and has an advanced design that delivers significant benefits over conventional antennas.

There are three different versions, all designed to simplify integration.

GeoHelix-P is a passive antenna, while the two other models are active antennas featuring built in low noise amplifiers.

Amplifier gains for the GeoHelix-M and GeoHelix-H are typically 10 and 20dB, respectively.

Constructed as a small ceramic cylinder just 18mm long and 10mm in diameter, the GeoHelix has a cardioid type right hand circular pattern (RHCP).

This omnidirectionality, along with a 3dBi beamwidth (greater than 120 degrees), gives the host GPS receiver a greater field of vision above the horizon and accessibility to more satellites.

The design caters ably with in built-up areas and other multi path environments, as it can receive right-hand circularly polarised signals above the antenna's horizon and left-hand circularly polarised signals below the horizon.

A very low near-field means receiver performance is unimpaired when near to objects including human tissue.

This ensures that the GPS receiver's sensitivity remains high even when used in hand-held applications.

Furthermore, balanced configuration of the design removes the need for a ground plane, making the antenna independent of the receiver design.

An integral balun ensures complete isolation of the antenna from its mounting, and allows adjacent use of multiple antennas, for example GPS and 3G mobile.

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