The ability to tap into multiple global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) is a defining feature of this setup, and it forms the foundation of its reliability and accuracy. The inclusion of GPS (United States), GLONASS (Russia), BDS (China), Galileo (Europe), and QZSS (Japan) ensures that the drone has access to a vast network of satellites orbiting the Earth, significantly reducing the risk of signal loss or degradation in challenging environments. In contrast to antennas that rely on a single constellation, this multi-constellation support provides redundancy—if signals from one system are obstructed by terrain, buildings, or atmospheric interference, the antenna can seamlessly switch to another. For example, in urban canyons where tall buildings block low-elevation GPS satellites, GLONASS or BDS satellites positioned at different angles may still be visible, ensuring the drone maintains a stable position fix. This is particularly critical for applications like urban mapping or infrastructure inspection, where even momentary loss of navigation data could lead to collisions or mission failure. Additionally, each constellation operates on slightly different frequencies and signal structures, which helps mitigate the effects of multipath interference—where signals reflect off surfaces before reaching the antenna—by providing diverse data points for position calculation.

The RTK accuracy of 0.01 m + 1 ppm CEP (Circular Error Probable) is a game-changer for drone applications that demand sub-centimeter precision. RTK technology works by combining signals from the drone’s GNSS receiver with corrections from a fixed base station, which is precisely surveyed at a known location. The base station calculates the difference between its measured position and its actual position, then broadcasts these correction data to the drone in real time. This allows the drone’s receiver to adjust its position calculations, eliminating most of the errors introduced by atmospheric conditions, satellite clock inaccuracies, and orbital variations. The 0.01 m (1 centimeter) baseline accuracy, combined with a 1 ppm (parts per million) error for distance traveled, ensures that even over long missions, the drone’s position remains remarkably precise. For instance, in agricultural drone operations, this level of accuracy enables precise application of fertilizers or pesticides, avoiding overlap and reducing waste. In construction surveying, drones can capture 3D models of job sites with millimeter-level detail, allowing contractors to monitor progress with unprecedented accuracy. Without such a high-performance antenna to receive both the satellite signals and the RTK corrections, this level of precision would be unattainable, as any signal degradation would introduce errors that negate the benefits of the correction data.

Complementing the RTK capability is the standard accuracy of 1.5 m CEP, which serves as a reliable fallback when RTK corrections are unavailable—such as in remote areas without base station coverage—or during temporary signal disruptions. CEP is a statistical measure indicating that 50% of position fixes will fall within a circle of the specified radius, so a 1.5 m CEP means that half of the drone’s position readings will be within 1.5 meters of its true location. This level of accuracy is more than sufficient for many general drone missions, such as aerial photography, wildlife monitoring, or search and rescue operations where a broader area is being covered. The antenna’s design plays a crucial role in maintaining this standard accuracy by ensuring consistent reception of satellite signals even in less-than-ideal conditions. Its radiation pattern, for example, is optimized to capture signals from satellites across a wide portion of the sky, including those near the horizon, which is essential for maintaining a sufficient number of satellite locks (typically 4 or more) to calculate a position. Additionally, the antenna’s noise figure—a measure of how much it amplifies unwanted noise relative to the signal—is minimized to ensure that even weak signals from low-elevation satellites are detected and processed correctly by the receiver.

The output protocols supported by the receiver—NMEA, UBX, and RTCM 3.3—highlight the antenna’s role in facilitating seamless data flow between the drone’s navigation system and its other components. NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) protocols are the industry standard for GNSS data, ensuring compatibility with most drone flight controllers, mapping software, and third-party applications. UBX protocols, specific to u-blox (the manufacturer of the ZED-F9P chip), provide more detailed and proprietary data, such as raw measurement information, which is essential for advanced applications like RTK processing. RTCM 3.3 (Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services) is the standard for broadcasting RTK correction data, enabling the drone to receive corrections from base stations or network RTK services. The antenna’s ability to receive and pass along these diverse data formats without corruption is critical, as any loss or distortion of protocol data could lead to misinterpretation of position information by the drone’s flight controller. This underscores the importance of the antenna’s signal integrity—from reception of satellite signals to transmission of data through its cable and connectors—ensuring that the raw data is preserved for accurate processing by the receiver.

At the heart of the system is the ZED-F9P main chip, a high-performance GNSS receiver module from u-blox that sets the standard for precision navigation in demanding applications. The ZED-F9P is specifically designed for RTK operations, with advanced features such as multi-band reception (supporting L1 and L5 frequencies for GPS, among others), which enhances its ability to mitigate interference and improve accuracy. The chip’s tight integration with the drone antenna is essential, as the antenna’s performance directly impacts the quality of the signals that the ZED-F9P processes. For example, the antenna’s polarization (typically right-hand circular polarization, RHCP, to match satellite signals) ensures that the ZED-F9P receives strong, consistent signals, allowing it to track satellites even in high-dynamic environments—such as when the drone is performing rapid maneuvers or flying at high speeds. The chip’s low power consumption is also a boon for drone applications, where battery life is critical, and the antenna’s design complements this by minimizing signal loss, ensuring that the receiver can operate efficiently without drawing excessive power.