At the heart of the CORS Base Station Antenna’s capabilities is its comprehensive frequency range, which spans all major GNSS constellations and bands: GPS L1/L2/L5, GLONASS L1/L2, BDS (BeiDou) B1/B2/B3, and Galileo E1/E2/E5a/E5b. This multi-band coverage is critical for CORS applications, as it allows the antenna to receive signals from multiple satellite systems simultaneously, enhancing redundancy, accuracy, and reliability. Each frequency band serves a specific purpose: L1/E1/B1 bands are the primary civilian bands for GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou, respectively, providing widespread coverage; L2/L5/E5a/E5b/B2/B3 bands offer higher precision and resistance to interference, enabling advanced correction algorithms. For example, GPS L5 and Galileo E5b are designed for safety-critical applications, with wider bandwidths and better signal integrity, making them ideal for CORS networks that require sub-centimeter accuracy. By supporting all these bands, the antenna ensures that the CORS base station can leverage the strengths of each constellation, mitigating the impact of signal blockages, atmospheric interference, or satellite outages. This comprehensive coverage is particularly valuable for global CORS networks, as it allows seamless operation across regions where different GNSS systems may be more prevalent—such as BeiDou in China, GLONASS in Russia, or Galileo in Europe.

The antenna’s output standing wave ratio (VSWR) of ≤2.0 is a key indicator of its efficiency in transferring signal power, a critical factor for maintaining the integrity of weak GNSS signals. VSWR measures the mismatch between the antenna and the connected transmission line (typically a coaxial cable), with lower values indicating more efficient power transfer. A VSWR of ≤2.0 ensures that over 90% of the received signal power is transmitted to the base station’s receiver, minimizing loss and maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio. This is essential for CORS applications, where even minor signal degradation can introduce errors into the reference data, which are then propagated to user equipment across the network. The low VSWR is achieved through careful design of the antenna’s radiating elements and matching network, ensuring that impedance is optimized across all frequency bands. For example, the matching network is tuned to minimize reflections at each GNSS band, ensuring consistent performance whether the antenna is receiving GPS L1 or BeiDou B3 signals. This efficiency is particularly important for weak signals from low-elevation satellites, which are critical for improving the geometric dilution of precision (GDOP) in the positioning solution.

A maximum gain of ≥5.5 dBi for GNSS signals (and ≥-1 dB for GSM900/GSM1800, supporting auxiliary communication) ensures that the antenna can capture and amplify weak satellite signals, even in challenging environments. Gain measures the antenna’s ability to focus signal energy in a specific direction—in this case, toward the sky, where GNSS satellites reside. The ≥5.5 dBi gain for GNSS is optimized for the upper hemisphere, maximizing reception of signals from satellites at various elevations, from near the horizon to directly overhead. This high gain is achieved through a combination of a directional radiation pattern and an integrated low-noise amplifier (LNA), which boosts signal strength without introducing significant noise. For CORS base stations, which are often located in remote areas with limited satellite visibility (such as mountainous regions or dense forests), this gain is critical for maintaining a stable lock on enough satellites to compute accurate position fixes. The GSM900/GSM1800 support, with a gain of ≥-1 dB, enables the antenna to double as a communication link for transmitting CORS data to a central server or user equipment via cellular networks, eliminating the need for a separate communication antenna and simplifying base station design.

The antenna’s working current of ≤40mA and operating voltage range of 3~18VDC highlight its efficiency and flexibility in power management, key considerations for remote CORS base stations often powered by batteries or solar panels. A low working current ensures minimal power consumption, extending the life of battery systems and reducing the need for frequent maintenance—critical for stations located in inaccessible areas. The wide voltage range (3~18VDC) allows the antenna to be integrated into various power systems, from low-voltage solar setups to standard 12V or 18V industrial power supplies. This flexibility simplifies deployment, as the antenna can adapt to the available power infrastructure without requiring custom voltage regulators. For example, a CORS station in a desert region powered by a solar panel and battery system can operate efficiently within the 3~18VDC range, ensuring continuous operation even during periods of low sunlight. The low power consumption also reduces heat generation, contributing to the antenna’s stability and longevity in high-temperature environments.