More and more embedded cellular modules in machine-to-machine (M2M) applications employ GPS to provide accurate location information. But despite its superior pinpoint accuracy, GPS functionality is compromised when the antenna is blocked or partially shaded. Typical printed-circuit board (PCB) antennas or patches just can’t do the job. Now, Taoglas has some antennas that can solve that problem.

Article Tools

• 

The Taoglas AP.35a is a powerful 35- by 35-mm square GPS antenna for compromised environments where next-generation miniature tracking devices are placed deep inside vehicles and assets. It can be embedded securely in any GPS device, eliminating the need for an external antenna. It’s also made from a uniquely formulated high-grade ceramic and is only 5.5 mm thick. With its own ground plane, it can hover over the main board of the device, allowing for much higher gain and resistance to noise than existing passive patch antennas. In addition, it does not take up valuable board space.

Combining high-zenith gain and low-axial ratio, the antenna can pick up very weak signals from low-elevation satellites, providing the greatest GPS sensitivity. A surface-acoustic wave (SAW) filter reduces noise entering from the device system, which is important considering the close proximity of cellular transmitters and circuitry in today’s miniature devices.

These combined results lead to quicker cold starts and more accurate position and location information. With a cold start of 21 seconds in open sky conditions with the uBlox 5 module, testing has confirmed that the AP35.a cuts up to 5 seconds off the market cold-start performance of the company’s AP.25B antenna. A maximum carrier-to-noise ratio of 51 with 12 simultaneous locked satellites has been recorded over 24 hours, which is an improvement from 10.

Taoglas also has unveiled the Active Loop Antenna (ALA) series technology in its GPS antenna range for applications that need a slim profile. At 4 by 10 by 2.3 mm, the omni-directional and lightweight ALA.01 offers the lowest profile for active antenna solutions for the M2M market. And for the first time, a GPS antenna can now be placed perpendicularly to the main board with a couple of millimeters of clearance and still deliver performance comparable to an active 18-mm patch antenna.

Taoglas