The GPS Block IIR Antenna Panel Pattern and its Use on-Orbit

Willard Marquis

Abstract:	The Global Positioning System Block IIR space vehicles on-orbit consists of the 12 original ‘classic’ IIR SVs and the eight ‘modernized’ IIR-M SVs. Lockheed Martin, as a stepping-stone toward the IIR-M modernization, developed and deployed an updated version of the satellite antenna panel for the L-band broadcast signal. This is the Earth-pointing signal. This paper is the first public presentation of the antenna panel patterns for these two versions. This paper also presents design descriptions of both antenna panel versions, their broadcast signal patterns, the performance observed in factory testing, and their onorbit performance. The antenna pattern out to +/- 90 degrees will be presented, covering the terrestrial service as well as the space service. All users, both terrestrial and on-orbit, benefit from the enhanced power profile of the GPS IIR and IIR-M antennas. The IIR and IIR-M SVs have shown great benefit to the space user in recent years. Some of these benefits will be presented. Specifically, the on-orbit use of these patterns by NASA, ESA, and other missions will be examined.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 29th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2016) September 12 - 16, 2016 Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon
Pages:	2896 - 2909
Cite this article:	Marquis, Willard, "The GPS Block IIR Antenna Panel Pattern and its Use on-Orbit," Proceedings of the 29th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2016), Portland, Oregon, September 2016, pp. 2896-2909. https://doi.org/10.33012/2016.14596
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