Multiple Antenna GPS Configuration for Enhanced Performance

Sidharth Nair and Chris Bartone

Abstract:	This paper introduces the concept of a multiple antenna GPS configuration to enhance performance in automobiles, where multiple antenna are .hidden. but have limited view of the upper hemi-sphere. Traditionally, placement of a GPS antenna is critical; the roof of the automobile is considered the most effective location to place an antenna, in terms of GPS signal reception. However the automobile industry is sensitive to the cosmetics of exposed antennas. Mounting antennas inside an automobile.s glass windshields/windows makes it discreet (i.e., .hidden. antennas) and also reduces the risk of damage through vandalism, bad weather or theft. The performance implications due to decreased sky coverage associated with a single hidden antenna are reduced through the use of a multiple antennas where measurements are integrated in an intelligent fashion to collectively make up for vehicle-induced blockage. For this demonstration, GPS measurements are combined from four antenna-receiver sets to form a .Virtual Receiver.. This .Virtual Receiver. approach and the algorithm involved are discussed. This paper also illustrates the improvement in satellite coverage and enhancement in position accuracy obtained by this method over each individual antenna-receiver set. Additionally, the combined antenna system performance is compared to an independent .truth. roof mounted antenna-receiver setup. The mask-angles of the .Virtual Receiver. are controlled, to simulate different automobile test environments and a performance analysis was conducted.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 60th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (2004) June 7 - 9, 2004 Dayton Marriott Hotel Dayton, OH
Pages:	188 - 199
Cite this article:	Nair, Sidharth, Bartone, Chris, "Multiple Antenna GPS Configuration for Enhanced Performance," Proceedings of the 60th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (2004), Dayton, OH, June 2004, pp. 188-199.
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