Multi-GNSS High Precision Antenna Industry Standards

　　Multi - GNSS High Precision Antenna Industry Standards

　　I. Introduction

　　In the era of the flourishing development of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, multi - GNSS high - precision antennas have become pivotal components for achieving accurate positioning and reliable communication. To ensure the quality, compatibility, and performance consistency of these antennas across different applications and industries, a series of industry standards have been established. These standards not only guide the design, production, and testing of antennas but also play a crucial role in promoting the healthy development of the multi - GNSS high - precision antenna market.

　　II. Key Industry Standards

　　A. Precision - related Standards

　　Positioning Accuracy Requirements

　　For applications in the field of autonomous driving, the industry generally requires multi - GNSS high - precision antennas to achieve centimeter - level positioning accuracy. For example, in the process of vehicle path planning and automatic parking, an accuracy within 10 cm is often necessary to ensure safe and efficient operation. In a study on the application of GNSS in autonomous vehicles, it was found that a positioning error of more than 10 cm could lead to potential collisions in complex traffic scenarios.

　　In the surveying and mapping industry, even higher precision is demanded. Sub - centimeter or even millimeter - level accuracy is required for tasks such as establishing high - precision geodetic control networks and detailed topographic mapping. Standards specify that in static surveying applications, the antenna should be able to achieve a three - dimensional positioning accuracy of less than 5 mm after a certain period of observation, as demonstrated by the use of high - end surveying GNSS receivers equipped with precision antennas in large - scale infrastructure projects.

　　Phase Center Stability Standards

　　The phase center of the antenna is a key factor affecting positioning accuracy. Industry standards stipulate that for high - precision antennas, the phase center variation (PCV) should be minimized. In the case of antennas used for geodetic surveys, the PCV in both the horizontal and vertical directions should be within a few millimeters over the entire operating frequency band. This ensures that the measured position is not affected by the changing phase center of the antenna during the observation process.

　　In the field of precision agriculture, although the required accuracy is relatively lower than that of surveying, the phase center stability of the antenna still needs to be maintained at a certain level. For example, for agricultural machinery guidance systems, the PCV of the antenna should be controlled within 1 - 2 cm to ensure accurate implementation of agricultural operations such as sowing and spraying.

　　B. Reliability and Stability Standards

　　Environmental Adaptability Standards

　　Considering the diverse working environments of multi - GNSS high - precision antennas, strict environmental adaptability standards have been formulated. In extreme temperature conditions, antennas are required to be able to operate normally within a wide temperature range. For antennas used in outdoor applications in cold regions, they should be able to work stably in temperatures as low as - 40°C, while in hot desert areas, they need to withstand temperatures up to 85°C.

　　Standards also cover humidity resistance. Antennas should be able to resist high humidity environments, such as those in coastal areas or tropical rainforest regions, without performance degradation. They are often required to pass humidity tests with a relative humidity of 95% or more for a certain period (usually 48 - 96 hours) without showing any signs of corrosion or electrical performance changes.

　　In addition, antennas must be able to withstand mechanical vibrations and shocks. In mobile applications such as vehicles and drones, they should be able to endure vibrations generated during driving or flying without loosening components or affecting signal reception. Standard vibration tests simulate the actual vibration conditions of different applications, such as the vibration frequency range of 5 - 2000 Hz for vehicle - mounted antennas.

　　Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Standards

　　To ensure that multi - GNSS high - precision antennas can work normally in complex electromagnetic environments, EMC standards have been established. Antennas should not only be immune to external electromagnetic interference but also should not generate excessive electromagnetic radiation to interfere with other devices.

　　In the industrial environment, where there are many electromagnetic interference sources such as large - scale electrical equipment and power lines, antennas need to meet strict EMC requirements. For example, they should be able to resist electromagnetic interference with a field strength of up to 10 V/m in the frequency range of 30 MHz - 1 GHz without significant degradation of signal - to - noise ratio. At the same time, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the antenna should be within the limit specified by the standard to avoid interfering with nearby communication equipment or sensitive electronic devices.

　　C. Multi - system Compatibility Standards

　　Signal Reception Compatibility Requirements

　　With the co - existence of multiple GNSS systems such as GPS, BeiDou, Galileo, and GLONASS, industry standards require multi - GNSS high - precision antennas to be able to receive signals from different systems simultaneously and effectively. The antenna should be designed to have a wide - band receiving characteristic to cover the frequency bands of various GNSS systems. For example, it should be able to receive signals in the GPS L1 band (1575.42 MHz), BeiDou B1 band (1561.098 MHz), Galileo E1 band (1575.42 MHz), and GLONASS L1 band (1602.5625 MHz) with sufficient sensitivity.

　　Standards also specify the minimum number of satellites that the antenna should be able to track from different systems. In general, in a normal signal environment, the antenna should be able to track at least 6 - 8 satellites from different GNSS constellations to ensure reliable positioning. This helps to improve the redundancy and accuracy of the positioning system, especially in areas with signal obstructions.

　　Signal Processing and Integration Standards

　　In addition to signal reception, industry standards also focus on how the antenna integrates and processes signals from different GNSS systems. The antenna should be able to perform seamless switching and fusion of signals from multiple systems to provide a unified and accurate positioning result. For example, in a positioning algorithm integrated in the antenna or the associated receiver, it should be able to effectively combine the ranging information from different GNSS satellites to calculate the position coordinates.

　　Standards may also require the antenna to support the use of advanced signal processing techniques, such as multi - path suppression algorithms, to reduce the impact of reflected signals on positioning accuracy. These techniques are crucial for applications in urban canyons or areas with many reflective surfaces, where multi - path interference is a common problem.

　　III. Standardization Organizations and Their Roles

　　International Standardization Organizations

　　International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): The IEC plays a leading role in formulating international standards for electrical and electronic products, including multi - GNSS high - precision antennas. It promotes global cooperation in standardization, ensuring that standards are developed through a consensus - building process involving experts from different countries. For example, the IEC's standards on EMC and environmental testing for antennas are widely recognized and adopted globally.

　　International Organization for Standardization (ISO): ISO develops a wide range of international standards, and some of its standards are relevant to the performance and safety requirements of multi - GNSS high - precision antennas. For instance, ISO standards related to quality management systems and product safety are applied to the production and testing of these antennas, ensuring that products meet high - quality and safety levels in the international market.

　　National and Regional Standardization Bodies

　　In China, the National Standardization Administration (SAC) and relevant industry - specific standardization committees are responsible for formulating national and industry standards for multi - GNSS high - precision antennas. For example, the SAC has issued a series of standards related to the technical requirements, testing methods, and quality evaluation of BeiDou - related products, including high - precision antennas. These standards are tailored to China's national conditions and industry development needs, promoting the application and development of domestic GNSS technology.

　　In the European Union, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) are actively involved in standard - setting activities. CENELEC focuses on electrical and electronic engineering standards, while ETSI is responsible for telecommunications - related standards. Their standards ensure the compatibility and interoperability of multi - GNSS high - precision antennas within the European market.

　　IV. Compliance and Certification

　　Testing and Verification Procedures

　　To ensure compliance with industry standards, multi - GNSS high - precision antennas need to undergo a series of rigorous testing and verification procedures. These procedures include laboratory - based performance testing, environmental testing, and field - based real - world performance evaluation.

　　In laboratory performance testing, parameters such as antenna gain, signal - to - noise ratio, and phase center stability are measured using specialized testing equipment. For example, an anechoic chamber is often used to measure the antenna's radiation pattern and gain accurately, while a signal analyzer is used to test the signal - to - noise ratio.

　　Environmental testing subjects the antenna to various environmental stressors, such as high and low temperatures, humidity, vibration, and shock, to assess its environmental adaptability. After laboratory and environmental testing, field - based testing is carried out in real - world application scenarios, such as urban areas, rural areas, and mountainous areas, to verify the antenna's actual performance in different environments.

　　Certification and Labeling

　　Once the antenna passes all the required tests and meets the relevant industry standards, it can obtain certification from recognized certification bodies. Certification labels, such as CE (Conformité Européene) in Europe and FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in the United States, are attached to the product, indicating that the antenna complies with the corresponding regional standards.

　　In the field of multi - GNSS high - precision antennas, some specialized certifications are also available. For example, in the surveying and mapping industry, antennas may obtain certification from relevant professional organizations, demonstrating their compliance with high - precision positioning requirements in this specific field. These certifications not only provide assurance to end - users but also help manufacturers to promote their products in the market.

　　V. Future Trends in Industry Standards

　　Integration with Emerging Technologies

　　As 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies continue to develop, future industry standards for multi - GNSS high - precision antennas will likely focus on their integration with these emerging technologies. For example, standards may be developed to ensure seamless integration of antennas with 5G communication modules, enabling faster and more stable transmission of positioning data.

　　In the context of IoT applications, standards may be formulated to support the use of multi - GNSS high - precision antennas in a large number of connected devices, taking into account factors such as low - power consumption and miniaturization. AI - enabled antennas that can adaptively adjust their performance according to the surrounding environment may also require new standardization efforts to ensure their proper operation and compatibility.

　　Expansion of Application - specific Standards

　　With the continuous expansion of the application scope of multi - GNSS high - precision antennas, there will be a growing need for more detailed and application - specific industry standards. In the emerging field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) - based delivery services, standards may be developed to meet the unique requirements of UAVs, such as high - speed movement, frequent take - off and landing, and operation in complex airspace environments.

　　In the medical field, where GNSS - based location - tracking technologies are increasingly used for patient monitoring and asset management in large - scale medical facilities, industry standards will be required to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and security of antenna - based positioning systems. These application - specific standards will further promote the development and popularization of multi - GNSS high - precision antennas in various industries.