Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced  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.

1. *As of January 17, 2022, among antennas for high-precision satellite-positioning in four frequency bands (according to Mitsubishi Electric)
2. **Services that provide information for correcting positioning errors and confirming positioning reliabilit
   

   Features

   1. 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.
      1. ***Achieved with a molded interconnect device (MID) in which electrodes, circuits, etc. are formed on the surfaces of three-dimensional molded-resin layers
   2. 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