The antenna’s frequency range of 1560-1602 MHz is strategically chosen to support multiple GNSS constellations, a key requirement for reliable RTK performance across global regions. This range includes GPS L1 (1575.42 MHz), BeiDou B1 (1561.098 MHz), and GLONASS G1 (1602 MHz), enabling the antenna to tap into signals from the U.S., Chinese, and Russian satellite systems. Multi-constellation support increases the number of visible satellites, reducing the risk of signal blockages and improving the robustness of RTK calculations. In urban environments, where skyscrapers may obstruct GPS signals, the antenna can rely on BeiDou or GLONASS to maintain a stable fix, ensuring that RTK corrections are applied without interruption. For global OEMs, this broad frequency coverage eliminates the need for region-specific antenna designs, simplifying inventory management and ensuring that devices work reliably in markets from North America to Asia. The frequency range also provides a buffer for minor shifts caused by satellite motion or ionospheric activity, ensuring that the antenna remains tuned to the correct signals.

A typical gain of 1.5 dB reflects the antenna’s balance of miniaturization and performance, ensuring that even weak signals are amplified sufficiently for RTK processing. While this gain is lower than that of larger external RTK antennas (which may offer 5-10 dB), it is optimized for the antenna’s compact size and embedded placement, where the close proximity to the receiver minimizes cable loss. The gain is consistent across the 1560-1602 MHz band, ensuring that signals from GPS, BeiDou, and GLONASS are amplified uniformly, a critical factor in multi-constellation RTK systems. In practice, this means that signals from low-elevation satellites—common in challenging environments like valleys or urban canyons—are boosted to levels that allow the receiver to process RTK corrections. For example, in a robotic lawnmower navigating a backyard with trees, the antenna’s gain ensures that satellite signals filtering through the foliage are strong enough to maintain RTK accuracy, preventing the mower from straying into flower beds or walkways. The gain profile is also designed to avoid amplifying noise, a key consideration in dense PCBs where electromagnetic interference from other components could corrupt the signal.

VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) specifications—2.0 at 1575 MHz and 3.5 at 1602 MHz—provide insight into the antenna’s efficiency in transferring signal power to the receiver, a critical factor in maintaining RTK accuracy. VSWR measures the mismatch between the antenna’s impedance and the 50-ohm standard of most GNSS receivers, with lower values indicating better power transfer. At GPS L1 (1575 MHz), a VSWR of 2.0 ensures that over 90% of the signal power is transferred, minimizing loss and maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio—essential for processing the subtle phase differences in RTK. At GLONASS G1 (1602 MHz), a VSWR of 3.5 is higher, meaning approximately 60% of power is transferred, a compromise made to support multiple bands in a compact design. This trade-off is acceptable because GLONASS often acts as a secondary constellation, supplementing GPS or BeiDou rather than serving as the primary signal source. Manufacturers can further optimize performance by integrating impedance-matching circuits in the receiver, ensuring that even at 1602 MHz, the signal is efficiently processed. For end-users, these VSWR values ensure reliable operation across the antenna’s intended frequency range, with priority given to the most widely used band (GPS L1) for consistent RTK performance.

An impedance of 50 ohms aligns the antenna with industry standards for RF systems, ensuring seamless compatibility with GNSS receivers, coaxial cables, and other components in the RTK chain. Impedance matching is critical for maximizing power transfer and minimizing signal reflection, which can introduce phase errors that degrade RTK accuracy. By adhering to the 50-ohm standard, the antenna can be integrated into existing receiver designs without the need for additional matching components, simplifying OEM integration and reducing costs. This compatibility is particularly valuable for manufacturers using off-the-shelf RTK modules, as it eliminates the need for custom hardware modifications. Whether paired with a high-precision chipset in a surveying device or a cost-effective module in a consumer drone, the 50-ohm impedance ensures that signal loss is minimized, preserving the integrity of the RTK correction data.

The antenna’s compact size—25 x 25 x 4mm—enables integration into space-constrained devices where external RTK antennas are impractical. This miniature form factor fits easily into wearable tech, such as precision agriculture trackers worn by farmers, or into the control modules of small robots used in warehouse automation. The 4mm thickness is particularly noteworthy, allowing the antenna to be embedded in ultra-slim devices like foldable smartphones or tablet-based navigation systems, where traditional RTK antennas would be too bulky. Despite its small size, the antenna’s helical design ensures that it captures signals with sufficient strength to support RTK calculations, proving that high precision need not come at the cost of size. For example, in a portable mapping device used by hikers, the antenna’s compactness ensures that the device remains lightweight and easy to carry, while its RTK capabilities provide centimeter-level trail mapping—critical for search and rescue operations or land surveying in remote areas.

The RF1.37mm coaxial cable, with a 100mm length, is a critical component in maintaining signal integrity between the antenna and the RTK receiver. RF1.37mm cable is a miniature coaxial variant designed for high-frequency applications, with a small diameter that allows for easy routing within densely packed PCBs. Its construction includes a solid copper center conductor for efficient signal transmission, a dielectric insulator to minimize loss, a braided copper shield to block electromagnetic interference (EMI), and a flexible PVC outer jacket for durability. The braided shield is particularly important in embedded RTK systems, where the antenna is surrounded by noise-generating components like processors and power supplies. By blocking EMI, the shield ensures that the weak RTK correction signals are not corrupted before reaching the receiver, a critical factor in maintaining centimeter-level accuracy. The 100mm length is optimized for close-range integration: in most embedded systems, the antenna is mounted within centimeters of the receiver, reducing cable loss and ensuring that the signal remains strong. For manufacturers, the pre-attached cable simplifies assembly, as it can be soldered directly to the receiver during production, eliminating the need for manual connector attachment and reducing the risk of signal loss from poor connections.