Miniaturized GPS Controlled-Reception-Pattern Antenna Array

A miniaturized Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna array is being developed for use on aircraft on which the room available for installation of this or any other equipment is severely limited and there is a requirement for an anti-jamming capability. This miniaturized GPS antenna array is, more specifically, a controlled-reception-pattern antenna array (CRPA), which affords a capability for (1) electronic beam forming to maximize the signals received from GPS satellites and/or (2) electronic null forming to minimize signals received from jamming transmitters or to suppress multipath signals. Heretofore, it has been possible to equip some aircraft with fixed-reception-pattern antenna arrays (FRPAs) but not with CRPAs, which have tended to be larger. It is envisioned that the present development effort will eventually yield anti-jamming GPS CRPAs no larger than the GPS FRPAs now used on military aircraft.