Simulation, Fabrication and Tests of a GPS Antenna on the Roof-Top of an Automobile

Margarita  Tecpoyotl-Torres; Jose G.  Vera-Dimas; Gustavo Urquiza  Beltrán; L.  Cisneros-Villalobos; Vladymyr  Grimalsky; Svetlana V.  Koshevaya

doi:10.4236/jemaa.2012.412071

Margarita Tecpoyotl-Torres, Jose G. Vera-Dimas, Gustavo Urquiza Beltrán, L. Cisneros-Villalobos, Vladymyr Grimalsky, Svetlana V. Koshevaya

Abstract: It is very important for the car users to have several communication systems and many antennas, which respond to the demands of aesthetics and efficiency. In this case, it is necessary to consider different types of materials and geometries. Among the automobile systems, the navigation systems are found, which are formed by a Global Position System (GPS), with a pre-charged base of maps and highways in order to locate the vehicle. For the reception of the GPS signals, circularly polarized patch antennas are used, which must be designed to operate at 1.57 GHz. This work is focused on the analysis of a circular antenna performance, designed for GPS, by means of the simulation of the following cases: antenna without radome, antenna with acrylic radome, and, finally, antenna on the roof of an automobile, considering the effect of the complete chassis. A Basic, a Simplified and a More Simplified Advanced Car Models (BCM, SACM, and MSACM) were used in order to analyze the chassis shape. The simulations were carried out with the software FEKO. The fabrication and experimental and practical tests are also presented.

Keywords: Car Model; Circular Polarization; Patch Antennas; Rogers RT/Duroid 5880

Cite this paper: M. Tecpoyotl-Torres, J. Vera-Dimas, G. Beltrán, L. Cisneros-Villalobos, V. Grimalsky and S. Koshevaya, "Simulation, Fabrication and Tests of a GPS Antenna on the Roof-Top of an Automobile," Journal of Electromagnetic Analysis and Applications, Vol. 4 No. 12, 2012, pp. 504-512. doi: 10.4236/jemaa.2012.412071.

References

[1] J. R. Ojha, R. Marklein and I. Widjaja, “Technological Trends of Antennas in Cars, Advances in Vehicular Networking Technologies,” 2011. http://www.intechopen.com/books/advances-in-vehicular-networking-technologies/technological-trends-of-antennas-in-cars

[2] P. Garg, I. Bhartia and A. Ittipiboon, “Microstrip Antenna,” Artech House, London, 2001.

[3] S. Nair, “A Multiple Antenna Global Positioning System Configuration for Enhanced Performance,” Thesis for the Degree of Master in Science, Ohio University, Athens, 2004.

[4] http://tuning.deautomoviles.com.ar/articulos/accesorios/tecnologicos/navegadores-gps. html

[5] http://www.aciem.org/bancoconocimiento/v/vehiculosgps/vehiculos%20gps.pdf

[6] L. E. Frenzel, “Sistemas Electrónicos de Comunicación,” Alfaomega, México, 2003.

[7] http://www.grupodeca.com.mx/productos-servicios/localizacion-automatica-vehiculos-gps/

[8] http://www. Oncore.motorola.com

[9] http://www.gpsenlinea.com/Vehiculos.html.

[10] K. Wong, “Compact and Broadband Microstrip Antennas,” Wiley Interscience, New York, 2002. doi:10.1002/0471221112

[11] A. Rasku, “Multi-Antenna Solutions for Automotive Environment,” Master of Science thesis. Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, 2008.

[12] M. Tecpoyotl-Torres, J. G. Vera-Dimas, R. Vargas-Bernal, M. Torres-Cisneros, A. Zamudio-Lara and V. Grimalsky, “Pentagonal Microstrip Antenna Equivalent to a Circular Microstrip Antenna for GPS Operation Frequency,” Memorias del 7 Congreso Internacional de Cómputo en Optimización y Software, 2009, pp. 200-208.

[13] J. Hong and M. J. Lancaster, “Microstrip Filters for RF/ Microwave Applications,” Wiley Series in Microwave an Optical Engineering, New York, 2001.

[14] J. G. Vera-Dimas and M. Tecpoyotl-Torres, “Kit Educativo Para la Comprensión de la Propagación de Ondas Electromagnéticas,” Memoria Técnica ROC & C, Vigésima Reunión de Oto?o de Comunicaciones, Computación, Electrónica y Exposición Industrial. Acapulco, México, 2009.

[15] http://www.audi.es/es/brand/es/Modelos/R8/r8_coupe/caracteristicas/Datos_tecnicos/Dimensiones.html