Circular microstrip patch assisted planar crossover for GPS application

Abstract

For efficient monitoring and tracking of vehicles, aircraft or ships GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite based navigation system plays an inevitable role. For long range GPS communication and tracking, high gain antennas usually array antennas are preferred. Realized using butler matrix phased array antennas are potential candidate for providing long range communication providing directional beam. Butler matrix provides equal amplitude to the antennas by means of hybrid coupler, necessary beam orientation using phase shifter and ensures signal purity when transmission lines overlap by crossover circuit. Thus crossover will mitigate the GPS tracking of signal when transmission lines overlap each other maintaining high SNR. This paper focuses on the investigations of an L band planar crossover realised using microstrip technology. The crossover characteristics like transmission and isolation are analysed in detail. For enhancing the isolation between the decoupled ports, parent crossover is further modified maintaining good transmission between coupled ports. The analysis is done using ANSYS HFSS and the optimised crossover is fabricated on FR4 substrate and measurements are taken by using Keysight ENA 5080A Vector Network Analyser. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement with each other. This proposed crossover is the possible solution for long range wireless communication and GPS Applications.