AMC Low Profile Wideband Reference Antenna for GPS and GALILEO Systems

Satellite positioning systems, like GPS and Galileo, require ground reference antennas with high quality radiation performance. The use of a radiator integrated with an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) appears attractive in order to obtain an antenna with low back radiation and good axial ratio performance near the horizon, which is essential for the considered applications. The presented crossed-dipole antenna integrated on a wideband AMC has a simple feed network consisting mainly of a self balanced feed. It also has a low mechanical profile and is simple to manufacture as a multilayer printed circuit board. Detailed numerical analyses and measurements are presented which clearly demonstrate its potential as a ground reference antenna.