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.

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 reliability

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  Prototype of compact antenna for satellite-positioning devices

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  Examples of satellite-positioning applications

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

• PDF Version (PDF : 689KB)

Inquiry

Media contact

• Public Relations Division Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Customer Inquiries

• Information Technology R&D Center Mitsubishi Electric Corporation