Antenna for GNSS Reception in GEO-Orbit

Abstract: There are a number of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), in use or planed, which are used for navigation on earth but also for autonomous navigation of satellites in low earth orbit (LEO). It would be desirable to also have autonomous navigation in geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) to reduce costs and make it possible to get higher accuracy on the position of the satellite. One part of the navigation system is the GNSS antenna which is examined in this master thesis. The specifications of the antenna were first decided and then three antenna alternatives were investigated in greater detail: a monofilar helix antenna, a three element circular array antenna and a twelve element circular array antenna. The result was that they would all work as a GNSS antenna in GEO but none could be judged to be the best under all circumstances. The size requirement for the mission and the used GNSS receiver would primarily decide which fits the mission best.