GPS and GNSS Antennas for Drones & UAVs

Drones and UAVs rely on GNSS technology for various applications, from precision agriculture and geospatial surveying to fleet management and autonomous navigation. The right GNSS antenna ensures robust signal reception, minimizes interference, and enhances positioning accuracy, particularly in challenging environments.

Helical GNSS Antenna by Maxtena

Different types of GNSS antennas cater to specific operational needs. Patch antennas, for example, offer compact, lightweight solutions ideal for UAV integration, while helical antennas provide strong multipath resistance and superior performance in dynamic conditions. Multiband antennas can enhance accuracy by leveraging RTK correction data, making them essential for high-precision applications like aerial mapping and geodetic surveying.

GNSS/GPS Antennas for Specialized UAV Applications

UAV GNSS antennas are used across diverse applications, each requiring different levels of precision and reliability:

• Surveying and mapping: High-accuracy GNSS antennas equipped with RTK corrections enable precise geospatial data collection from mapping drones.
• Autonomous navigation: UAVs in logistics and transportation rely on robust GNSS antennas for reliable positioning.
• Marine navigation: UAVs deployed in marine environments use corrosion-resistant, high-performance GNSS antennas for stable operation.
• Fleet management: UAVs in fleet management benefit from GNSS tracking antennas to ensure real-time monitoring and coordination.
• Defense & military operations: Anti-jamming GNSS antennas enhance secure UAV navigation in high-risk environments.

Types of GNSS/GPS Antenna for UAVs and Unmanned Vehicles

Selecting the appropriate GNSS antenna for a drone or unmanned vehicle depends on various factors, including weight, size, signal reception characteristics, and operational environment. Different antenna designs offer unique advantages in signal accuracy, interference resistance, and compatibility with specific GNSS frequencies.

Patch Antennas

Patch antennas are widely used in drones due to their compact size, low weight, and easy integration. They receive satellite signals via a flat ceramic patch on a ground plane and perform best in open-sky conditions, though multipath interference can occur near obstacles. Ideal for small drones where space and weight are limited.

Helical Antennas

Helical GNSS antennas deliver strong signal reception in dynamic UAV operations with constant movement and changing orientation. Their helical design enhances circular polarization and rejects multipath interference, ensuring stable performance in urban or rugged environments, ideal for precision tasks like surveying and search-and-rescue.

Quadrifilar Helix Antennas

Quadrifilar helix antennas use four helical elements to enhance circular polarization and signal stability. They maintain strong satellite connections during dynamic or high-altitude UAV operations, making them ideal for remote sensing, atmospheric monitoring, and maritime surveillance.

Dipole Antennas

Dipole antennas are omnidirectional, providing 360° GNSS coverage and stable reception regardless of UAV orientation. Ideal for drones with frequent heading changes, they’re widely used in fleet management, real-time tracking, and autonomous operations.

Choke Ring Antennas

Choke ring antennas use concentric metal rings to block reflected signals and reduce multipath interference, ensuring precise GNSS reception. Though larger and heavier, they’re ideal for RTK, geodetic, and high-accuracy UAV applications such as surveying and scientific studies.

GAJT-310 Anti-Jam GPS Antenna by NovAtel

Anti-Jam GNSS Antennas

Anti-jam GNSS antennas protect UAV navigation from intentional and unintentional interference using advanced filtering, directional reception, and suppression technologies. Common in defense, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure, they maintain reliable positioning in contested RF environments. Techniques such as null-steering, adaptive beamforming, and spatial filtering help UAVs resist jamming and ensure continuous operation in challenging conditions.

CRPA (Controlled Reception Pattern Antennas)

Controlled Reception Pattern Antennas (CRPA) use multiple elements and adaptive processing to reject interference and jamming, receiving only genuine satellite signals. Ideal for military UAVs facing spoofing or electronic warfare, they enhance positioning accuracy in contested or urban environments. Though more complex and power-intensive, CRPA antennas are vital for secure, high-precision UAV operations.

Multiband GNSS Antennas

Multiband GNSS antennas receive multiple frequency bands simultaneously, improving positioning accuracy, reducing signal errors, and increasing interference resilience. Supporting GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou, they’re ideal for RTK and PPP correction systems requiring centimeter-level precision. Common in mapping, surveying, and autonomous UAVs, multiband antennas have become standard for high-accuracy professional applications.

Common configurations of multiband GNSS antennas include:

Multiband GNSS Antenna by Harxon

• L1/L2 GNSS antennas: Support dual-frequency operation, reducing ionospheric errors and improving positional accuracy for RTK and surveying drones.
• L1/L5 GNSS antennas: L5 signals offer higher power and better resistance to interference, making them ideal for precision agriculture and drone mapping.
• L1/L2/L5 or multi-constellation antennas: Provide the highest accuracy and reliability by accessing a broader range of satellite signals.

Active vs. Passive UAV GNSS Antennas

UAV GNSS antennas are either active or passive. Active types include a built-in low-noise amplifier to boost weak signals, ideal for UAVs in obstructed environments. Passive antennas lack amplification, consuming no power but often needing an external amplifier. Selecting the right type, based on mission range, accuracy, and interference resistance, ensures reliable UAV performance.

Performance and Integration Considerations for GNSS/GPS Antennas in UAVs

Frequency and Signal Compatibility

Iridium & GPS L1 Antenna by Southwest Antennas

When selecting a GNSS antenna, engineers should ensure compatibility with the required frequency bands and satellite constellations.

• Frequency bands: Dual- or multi-band antennas (e.g., L1/L2, L1/L5) improve accuracy by reducing ionospheric errors.
• Constellation support: Multi-constellation GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) enhances redundancy and signal reliability.
• RTK and high-precision systems: Multiband antennas combined with RTK or PPP correction services enable centimeter-level positioning accuracy.

Antenna Gain and Sensitivity

The gain of a GNSS antenna affects how effectively it receives satellite signals.

• Low-gain (0–3 dBi): Suited for small UAVs in open-sky conditions.
• Medium-gain (3–5 dBi): Balances performance and weight for general UAV operations.
• High-gain (5+ dBi): Provides stronger reception in interference-prone environments but requires precise orientation.

For dynamic or high-speed UAVs, higher-gain antennas with fast reacquisition improve stability and reduce signal dropouts.

Mounting and Placement

Antenna performance depends heavily on correct placement and integration:

• Sky visibility: Mount the antenna on the UAV’s upper surface for an unobstructed sky view.
• Minimizing interference: Keep the antenna away from transmitters, cameras, and ESCs to reduce EMI.
• Ground plane: Some antennas (e.g., patch designs) require a conductive surface for optimal reception.
• Vibration isolation: Use a stable, damped mount to prevent signal fluctuations during flight.
• Orientation: Directional antennas (e.g., helical or CRPA) must be aligned with the expected signal direction for best results.

Interference Mitigation

Interference, whether natural, environmental, or electronic, is a significant factor affecting GNSS reliability.

• Electromagnetic interference (EMI): Use shielded cables, EMI-filtered antennas, and separation from high-power electronics.
• Multipath interference: Deploy multipath-resistant designs such as helical, choke ring, or quadrifilar helix antennas.
• Anti-jamming and anti-spoofing: For military or high-security UAVs, use active or CRPA antennas with adaptive null-steering or beamforming.
• Environmental durability: Choose ruggedized, waterproof antennas (e.g., IP67/IP68) for marine or extreme-weather operations.
  

  Dual Band GNSS Antennas by Calian GNSS

Common Operational Challenges

Urban canyon effects: Reflected signals can distort accuracy; multi-constellation and multipath-resistant antennas mitigate this.

• High-speed flight: Rapid maneuvers demand antennas with fast signal reacquisition and minimal latency.
• Dynamic environments: UAVs in contested or RF-dense areas should use anti-jam or adaptive GNSS systems.

GNSS Antenna Compliance and Standards for UAVs

GNSS antennas in UAVs must meet strict environmental and regulatory standards to ensure reliable operation and legal compliance across civil, industrial, and defense sectors.

• DO-160G / MIL-STD-810: Validate performance under vibration, shock, and temperature extremes.
• IP67 / IP68: Confirm resistance to water and dust for marine and harsh-environment use.
• FCC / CE: Govern frequency use and spectrum compliance for RTK and base-station systems.
• ITAR: Applies to export-controlled anti-jam and CRPA antennas used in defense applications.

Adhering to these standards ensures dependable performance and regulatory conformity in UAV deployments.

Future Trends in Drone GPS Antenna Technology

As UAVs become more advanced, GNSS antenna technology is evolving to support autonomous navigation, high-precision positioning, and interference resistance.

AX4E02 Geodetic Antenna by Tersus GNSS

Smart GNSS Antennas

Traditional GNSS antennas require an external receiver for signal processing. Smart GNSS antennas integrate the GNSS receiver and antenna into a single unit, offering:

• Reduced weight & power consumption (low-SWaP), ideal for lightweight drones.
• Faster signal processing, enabling low-latency autonomous UAV navigation.
• Improved anti-jamming capabilities make them well-suited for military and industrial UAVs.

MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) GNSS Antennas

MIMO antennas use multiple elements to receive and transmit signals, enhancing:

• Interference mitigation by dynamically selecting the strongest satellite signals.
• Positioning accuracy for swarm drones and collaborative UAV networks.
• Resilience against jamming makes them valuable in defense and security applications.

Beamforming GNSS Antennas

Beamforming GNSS antennas dynamically steer their reception pattern to focus on the strongest GNSS signals while filtering out interference. This technology is particularly useful for:

RTK GNSS Smart Antenna by Harxon

• BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) UAVs, where maintaining a strong GNSS signal is critical.
• High-speed UAVs, such as long-range delivery drones or supersonic unmanned aircraft.
• Anti-jamming applications allow UAVs to maintain positioning even under electronic attack.

These emerging technologies are shaping the future of UAV navigation, providing enhanced precision, security, and operational flexibility.

Optimizing Drone GPS Antenna Performance

For UAV operators and manufacturers, selecting the right GNSS antenna ensures precision and reliability. The latest advancements in GNSS antenna technology, such as multi-band compatibility, RTK support, and anti-jamming capabilities, continue to improve UAV navigation and positioning accuracy. Whether for surveying, fleet tracking, or autonomous flight, high-quality GNSS antennas are essential for maximizing UAV performance in demanding environments.