Compact Fully Printed GPS/GNSS Antenna Using Embedded MTM-EBGs

Abstract

A compact and low-profile antenna for global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs), with particular optimization for triband Global Positioning System (GPS) coverage, is presented. A dual-band antenna is developed with the use of metamaterial-based electromagnetic bandgap structures (MTM-EBGs) that covers GPS L1, L2, and L5 bands and a majority of the GNSS spectrum. The patch antenna is fabricated on two sides of a single substrate sheet above a ground plane, with a 3-D printed polylactic acid (PLA) substrate spacer for simple fabrication. The antenna is fed by a wideband and planar feed network below the ground plane, and simulation and measurement results show good performance in terms of matching, gain, pattern shape, and axial ratio, demonstrating that this antenna is an excellent candidate for use with modern high-accuracy multiband and multisystem GPS/GNSS receivers.