A Testing Platform for Investigation of GNSS Antenna Diversity Systems

A new GNSS antenna diversity testing platform is presented which enables measurement, analysis and optimization of GNSS receiving conditions. The testing platform consists of a diversity antenna set, a microwave diversity circuit for phase shifting and combining, a steering unit, a GNSS receiver and an evaluation unit for data analysis. With the diversity circuit three antenna signals are decoupled and combined which are offered by two antenna structures where each of its phase centers are located in the center of a common ground plane. By steering the scan-phased diversity unit via a microcontroller various options of beamforming are possible for analysis of the reception scenario and an improvement of the reception quality. Because of its practical size and weight the testing platform is easy to handle and especially suitable for outdoor and mobile field tests. Measurement and simulation results as well as results of very first field tests are presented.