An approach to design an improved PQHA that resonates both GPS L and L1 band

Abstract

For Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), broadcasting satellite systems or other Navigation systems, the receiver terminal antenna has to have certain important properties. The Printed Quadrifilar Helix antenna (PQHA) is a very good selection for the above mentioned applications as the PQHA is capable of providing very good axial ratio, circular polarization, broadband property, easy to manufacture, light weight and cost effective. The conventional PQHA has broadband property but in some cases it does not resonate with the exact or particular frequency band we do need to. Despite of having such increased broadband properties, these PQHA cannot be compatible with some of the GNSS frequency bands. In this paper a new PQHA design has been proposed, with changing the length and pitch angle slightly from the conventional one. This new PQHA has a very good gain, circular polarization and radiation pattern with dual band property that resonates with both GPS L and L1 frequency band. It is also resonating in the exact frequency band same of GPS. Computer Simulation software CST has been used throughout the designing and simulation process which generates excellent results. The experimental results and a prototype of such PQHA are presented to validate the concept.