News Releases
Mitsubishi Electric Develops World's Smallest Antenna Prototype for High-precision Satellite-based Positioning in Four Frequency BandsWill accelerate highly accurate positioning for autonomous driving and much more
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 3480
TOKYO, January 17, 2022 - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that it has developed a prototype of the world's smallest* antenna for high-precision satellite-based positioning in four frequency bands used by the world's main satellite-positioning systems and positioning-augmentation services.** The highly compact antenna, which is expected to be installed in diverse vehicles and even drones, will accelerate high-precision satellite-based positioning for autonomous driving and many other applications.
- *As of January 17, 2022, among antennas for high-precision satellite-positioning in four frequency bands (according to Mitsubishi Electric)
- **Services that provide information for correcting positioning errors and confirming positioning reliability
-
Prototype of compact antenna for satellite-positioning devices
-
Examples of satellite-positioning applications
Features
- 1)Proprietary technology achieves world's smallest 4-band antenna for diverse vehicles
- The antenna's two folded linear elements are wired three dimensionally and symmetrically on each of four molded-resin layers, which are perpendicular to the module's horizontal surface. This unique design has resulted in the world's smallest four-band antenna for the high-precision satellite-based positioning of diverse autonomous vehicles, including drones and small tractors as well as automobiles.
- The prototype's L1 bandwidth, which is about triple that of the company's existing model, is achieved with three-dimensional wiring*** and an antenna configuration optimized for space limitations. Also, the new antenna supports major positioning-satellite systems and positioning-augmentation worldwide.
- ***Achieved with a molded interconnect device (MID) in which electrodes, circuits, etc. are formed on the surfaces of three-dimensional molded-resin layers
- 2)Unique structure achieves multipath wave suppression for more precise positioning
- Positioning precision is enhanced with the antenna's unique structure, which combines both straight and loop elements to reduce back lobe radiation, thereby suppressing multipath waves reflected from the ground.
- Compactness and multipath wave suppression are achieved without increasing the antenna's size, unlike conventional multipath-wave suppression methods.
Future Development
Going forward, Mitsubishi Electric will research practical applications by evaluating the prototype's positioning precision in outdoor trials.
Antenna Specifications
New antenna | Company A's | Company B's | Company C's | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Size (including case) |
Horizontal surface | 59 mm x 59 mm | 140 mm x 140 mm | 160 mm diameter | 76 mm diameter |
Height | 33 mm | 62 mm | 60 mm | 35 mm |
Note
Note that the press releases are accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change without notice.