Low Profile GALILEO Antenna Using EBG Technology

A dedicated low profile antenna for geodesic applications is presented. This type of antenna requires mitigation of multipath signals to achieve sub-centimeter level of precision. Typically, bulky and heavy choke ring structures have been used to reduce the effects of multipath interference. The antenna presented here consists of a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) patch antenna immersed in an electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) substrate. The EBG substrate reduces the effects of multipath by blocking the propagation of surface waves. The result is an antenna showing good multipath rejection and a stable phase center. The advantage of printed EBG substrates is that they can be realized in a low-weight, low-price, and low-profile fashion. First prototypes have been manufactured and tested, and its performance has been compared to that of a more classical choke ring antenna.