Concept Studies of Scanning and Combined Scan/Phase Antenna Diversity Systems for SDARS

Nassar

Int. J. Microw. Wireless Technol.

2018

For a fast scan-phase satellite radio antenna diversity system a noise correction method is presented for a significant improvement of audio availability at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. An error analysis of the level and phase detection within the diversity system in the presence of noise leads to a correction method based on a priori knowledge of the system's noise floor. This method is described and applied in a hardware example of a satellite digital audio radio services antenna diversity circuit for fast fading conditions. Test drives, which have been performed in real fading scenarios, are described and results are analyzed statistically. Simulations of the scan-phase antenna diversity system show higher signal amplitudes and availabilities. Measurement results of dislocated antennas as well as of a diversity antenna set on a single mounting position are presented. A comparison of a diversity system with noise correction, the same system without noise correction, and a single antenna system with each other is performed. Using this new method in fast multipath fading driving scenarios underneath dense foliage with a low SNR of the antenna signals, a reduction in audio mute time by one order of magnitude compared with single antenna systems is achieved with the diversity system.

“…using the results of equations (9) and (10). With the power P S,n of S F = A 1,F + A 2,F and P T,n accordingly, the angle δ F is…”

Section: Influence Of Noise On Phase Calculationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Scan-phase Antenna Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Automotive antenna diversity system for satellite radio with high phase accuracy in low SNR-scenarios

Nassar

Int. J. Microw. Wireless Technol.

2018

“…In this paper a combination of scanning and phase-diversity is employed. This scan-phase-diversity system has the advantage of being able to switch off weak antenna signals in combination with the ability to superimpose phase-aligned antenna signals for an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) [4]. The hardware effort of such a system can be kept low with only very few additional elements in comparison to a standard single antenna system.…”

Section: Satellite Signal Reception In Rayleigh-fading Scenariosmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scan-phase antenna diversity for digital satellite radio (SDARS) in a single automotive side mirror

Kammerer

The 8th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP 2014)

2014

Self Cite

The reception of satellite digital audio radio services (SDARS) by vehicular receivers with a single antenna is usually only possible using a rooftop mounting position due to very strict specifications by the service provider. In cars where rooftop mounting is not an option alternative mounting positions have to be found. In most situations a single receiving antenna is not sufficient due to shadowing, attenuation, and strict size constraints leading to small ground planes in these positions.A single side mirror is used for mounting a diversity antenna set which is combined with a scan-phase diversity system in the work described in this paper. Signal recordings of such a scenario are analysed statistically and compared for test drive data of a shadowed and a non-shadowed antenna positioning due to the driving direction. Measurement results of the audio availability in real Rayleigh-fading scenarios show that the diversity system outperforms a single standard antenna on the rooftop of a car in this new configuration even though the car's shadowing of the antenna is considered.

“…Separate RF cables and tuners are needed for each antenna signal as well as complex phase and SNR estimation. A scanphase antenna diversity system is a much leaner system with a comparatively low hardware effort [3]. The block diagram of such a system is depicted in Fig.…”

Section: A System Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antenna module with integrated scan-phase antenna diversity system for SDARS

2012 6th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EUCAP)

2012

Self Cite

A scan-phase multi-antenna diversity system is able to significantly improve reception performance of satellite digital audio radio systems (SDARS) in severe multipath propagation scenarios. The low hardware cost of such a system can only be achieved if a single level measurement circuitry is used for all antenna signals. In this paper the influences of switching between the antenna signals for level detection and the signal processing in the diversity system are studied for two different antenna diversity systems. A modification of the diversity hardware that avoids those influences is investigated. Measurements were performed to compare the modified and unmodified system in terms of audio availability.Test drives underneath dense foliage were conducted with a scan-phase antenna diversity system in combination with a diversity antenna set mounted on the dashboard of a car. This mounting position is of wide interest for example for convertibles, where the car roof is not available for the mounting of SDARS antennas. Measurement results show that the scan-phase antenna diversity system performs very well in such a disadvantageous antenna position. The diversity combination on the dashboard can compete with a roof-mounted patch antenna in the reception of geostationary satellite signals even with a closed roof.