Antenna selection for GNSS receivers
Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method to improve the performance of a GNSS receiver using antenna switching. The system has a plurality of antennas and at least one radio frequency RF chain. There are fewer RF chain(s) than antennas. A receiver processes a plurality of signals sent by a plurality of transmitters. The system also includes antenna switches and switch controller. The method includes processing signals from a plurality of satellite vehicles SVs using an antenna selected from a plurality of antennas.
1. A system comprising:
at least two antennas;
at least one radio frequency RF chain, wherein there are fewer RF chain(s) than antennas;
a receiver for processing one or more signals from one or more transmitters that are not co-located;
at least one antenna switch for antenna switching; and
at least one switch controller operable to provide signal blanking during antenna switching using different antenna selection metrics and different signal quality metrics.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least two antennas have different characteristics.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least two antennas have the same characteristics.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the different characteristics are selected from the group consisting of internal versus external, right-hand circularly polarized RHCP/left-hand circularly polarized LHCP, directional, or tuned to different frequencies.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of sensors.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the number of antennas is two and the number of RF chains is one.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the least one antenna switch is external to an integrated circuit (IC) where the RF chain(s) resides.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one switch controller is implemented in a processor operable to signal the RF chain(s).
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one switch controller is implemented in a processor operable to signal RF chain(s) and switch directly.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one switch controller is implemented in a processor operable to signal the RF chain(s) and switch indirectly.