Fractal ground plane antenna and method of use
First Claim
1. An electronic circuit comprising:
- an antenna, wherein the antenna is configured to receive GNSS satellite signals;
a low noise amplifier circuit electrically connected to the antenna;
wherein the low noise amplifier circuit resides on a first electronic substrate;
anda ground plane electrically connected to the low noise amplifier circuit, wherein the ground plane comprises;
a first ground plane conductor portion, wherein the first ground plane conductor portion resides on the first electronic substrate; and
a second ground plane conductor portion, wherein the second ground plane conductor portion is shaped to comprise at least one fractal pattern, and wherein the second ground plane conductor portion electrically connects to the first ground plane conductor portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) electronic circuit is described that uses an antenna and a fractal ground plane conductor or a fractal counterpoise. Some embodiments of the electronic circuit include a first ground plane conductor portion on a first electronic substrate, and a second ground plane conductor portion on a second electronic substrate. The second ground plane conductor portion is shaped to include at least one fractal pattern. The fractal pattern of the second ground plane conductor portion makes the ground plane seem electrically larger than it is. The fractal ground plane conductor portion minimizes the reception of GNSS satellite signals below the antenna, and improves the reception of signals from low elevation GNSS satellites above the horizon.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic circuit comprising:
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an antenna, wherein the antenna is configured to receive GNSS satellite signals; a low noise amplifier circuit electrically connected to the antenna;
wherein the low noise amplifier circuit resides on a first electronic substrate;and a ground plane electrically connected to the low noise amplifier circuit, wherein the ground plane comprises; a first ground plane conductor portion, wherein the first ground plane conductor portion resides on the first electronic substrate; and a second ground plane conductor portion, wherein the second ground plane conductor portion is shaped to comprise at least one fractal pattern, and wherein the second ground plane conductor portion electrically connects to the first ground plane conductor portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) navigation device comprising:
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an electronic circuit formed on a first electronic substrate, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a first ground plane conductor portion; an antenna electrically coupled to the electronic circuit, wherein the antenna is configured to receive GNSS satellite signals; a second ground plane conductor portion formed on a second electronic substrate, wherein the second ground plane conductor portion is shaped to include a fractal pattern, and wherein the second ground plane conductor portion is electrically connected to the first ground plane conductor portion; a third ground plane conductor portion formed on a third electronic substrate, wherein the third ground plane conductor portion is shaped to include a fractal pattern, and wherein the third ground plane conductor portion is electrically connected to the first ground plane conductor portion; and a fourth ground plane conductor portion formed on a fourth electronic substrate, wherein the fourth ground plane conductor portion is shaped to include a fractal pattern, and wherein the fourth ground plane conductor portion is electrically connected to the first ground plane conductor portion. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of improving a gain pattern of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna, the method comprising:
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locating a low noise amplifier circuit on a first electronic substrate; electrically connecting the GNSS antenna to the low noise amplifier circuit; forming a first ground plane conductor portion on the first electronic substrate, wherein the first ground plane conductor portion is electrically connected to the low noise amplifier circuit and the antenna; forming a second ground plane conductor portion on a second electronic substrate, wherein the second ground plane conductor portion is shaped to include a fractal pattern; and electrically connecting the second ground plane conductor portion to the first ground plane conductor portion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification