Trimble Inc.

John Atkinson

Gregory Craig Wallace

Shawn D Weisenburger

A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) patch antenna can include a set of layers, a set of channels, and a set of conduction pins. The set of layers can include at least one layer with an electrically conductive antenna element configured to receive GNSS signals and another layer including a ground well. The set of channels can be aligned between the set of layers and can extend through the set of layers. The set of conduction pins can be located in the set of channels. Each conduction pin of the set of conduction pins can include a set of vias coupled by one or more donut-shaped connection pads at each interface between the set of layers.

Donut-shaped connection pad for patch antenna

A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) patch antenna can include a middle laminate, a top laminate, a bottom laminate, and a ground well. The middle laminate can include a first side and a second side. The top laminate can be coupled to the middle laminate and can be positioned on the first side of the middle laminate. The top laminate can include an electrically conductive antenna element configured to receive GNSS signals. The bottom laminate can be coupled to the middle laminate and can be positioned on the second side of the middle laminate. The ground well can cover exposed surfaces of the bottom laminate and exposed portions of the second side of the middle laminate and can comprise electrically conductive material. Some of the surface of the middle laminate that is covered by the bottom laminate can be free from the electrically conductive material.

Patch antenna with ground well

A dual-frequency patch antenna includes a first conductive element configured to receive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals at a first frequency band, a second conductive element configured to receive GNSS signals at a second frequency band, and a ground plane. A first dielectric material is disposed between the first conductive element and the second conductive element, and a second dielectric material disposed between the second conductive element and the ground plane. The second dielectric material has a topside with an area at least as large as the topside of the ground plane.

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Christchurch, New Zealand

John Atkinson