MODERN VEHICLE ANTENNAS FOR MOBILE PHONE, GPS AND SATELLITE RADIO
Rainer Kronberger, G Flakowski, Gerd.-H. Hassmann · 2001
The age of Mobile Multi Media has reached the automotive industry in recent years. The increasing number of required infotainment services forces the need for an increased number of antennas integrated into a vehicle. Modem cars antennas for broadcast services (AM/FM-radio, TV) are usually integrated into the windows of the vehicles and are used with diversity systems. In contrast to those hidden antennas, mobile phone and satellite antennas require an omnidirectional pattern for optimum signal quality. This paper presents different types of modem mobile phone antennas. For optimum pattern performance, sophisticated techniques are applied. Advantages and disadvantages of different mounting positions on the car will be explained and solutions will be shown. Making use of the space on the mobile phone antenna housing additional GPS patch antennas are often integrated. Basic principles are explained and a new type low profile antenna will be shown. In addition, a small GPS receiver has been developed, which can be connected directly to the antenna. Thus expensive additional RF cables and connectors can be avoided. Thus the direct digital access to the car bus provides the navigation information to different systems in the car, such as GPS and emergency call. Satellite antennas will be required in the future for a variety of satellite communication services. GPS has already become a standard with modern cars. Presently a satellite radio system (SDARS) is launched in the US. Small vehicle antenna solutions for this service have been developed and will be presented. (A) For the covering abstract see ITRD E109405.