LO and Calibration Signal Distribution in a Multi-Antenna Satellite Navigation Receiver

Abstract

Due to the low signal power of global navigation satellite signals, the receivers are prone to radio frequency interference. Employing multi-antenna arrays is one method to mitigate such effects, by incorporating spatial processing techniques. The large size of the uniform rectangular arrays prevents their use in applications where installation space is limited. Therefore, we proposed a new approach, namely to split one full array into a number of smaller, spatially distributed, sub-arrays to reduce their size and exploit available installation spaces. This concept challenges the distribution of the local oscillator and calibration signals to the respective sub-arrays. This paper compares qualitatively different design concepts for a satellite navigation receiver with two two-element sub-arrays, installed multiple wavelengths apart from each other, in support of establishing an optimal choice for our intended applications in the automotive sector in terms of electrical performance and required hardware and software efforts. In general, weighing the pros and cons of the different concepts, as discussed in the paper, will assist in optimizing the system design approach for a specific application.

Authors 6

1. Uwe Stehr corresponding

   Technische Universität Ilmenau

   Affiliation as printed

   Thuringian Center of Innovation in Mobility, RF & Microwave Research Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany

2. Syed N. Hasnain

   Technische Universität Ilmenau

   Affiliation as printed

   Thuringian Center of Innovation in Mobility, RF & Microwave Research Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany

3. Björn Bieske

   IMMS Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH)

   Affiliation as printed

   IMMS Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme Gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH), 98693 Ilmenau, Germany

4. Marius Brachvogel Aachen Chair of Navigation

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair of Navigation, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

5. Michael Meurer Aachen Chair of Navigation

   RWTH Aachen University · Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair of Navigation, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Institute of Communications and Navigation, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 82234 Weßling, Germany

6. Matthias Hein

   Technische Universität Ilmenau

   Affiliation as printed

   Thuringian Center of Innovation in Mobility, RF & Microwave Research Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany