A Compact GPS Antenna for Artillery Projectile Applications

This letter presents a compact antenna suitable for the reception of GPS signals on artillery projectiles over 1.57-1.60 GHz. Four inverted-F-type elements are excited by a series feed network in equal magnitude and successive 90° phase difference. The shape and form factor of the antenna is tailored so that the antenna can be easily installed inside an artillery fuze. Measurements show that the proposed antenna has a gain of 2.90-3.77 dBic, an axial ratio of 1.9-2.86 dB, and a reflection coefficient of less than -10 dB over 1.57-1.62 GHz.