Accutenna® technology

Calian’s patented Accutenna® technology is employed in many of our antennas. Independent, side by side tests employing GPS(L1) and GLONASS(G1) signals have shown that Accutenna® technology out performs single feed patch antennas. Accutenna® technology provides superior multi-path signal rejection thereby providing un-matched precision for its size and price.

Download Accutenna® brochure

A black, dome-shaped GPS antenna with a metallic base and connector.

Key Accutenna® technology features

Employs Calian’s unique dual feed ceramic patch technology
Provides truly circular response over the entire antenna bandwidth of approximately 80 MHz
Provides superior rejection of cross polarized signals (multi-path)
Offers pre-filtering option to provide additional protection from near band signals
Single patch Accutenna® technology antennas provide wide band coverage of the upper GNSS band, supporting multi-constellational coverage: (GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), Galileo (E1) and BeiDou (B1) and L-Band Correction services)
Dual patch Accutenna® technology antennas provide wide band coverage of the upper and lower GNSS band, supporting multi-constellational and multi-frequency coverage (GPS (L1/L2/L5), GLONASS (G1/G2/G3), Galileo (E1/E5) and BeiDou (B1/B2))

GNSS has changed. An increasing number of GNSS receivers can track several constellations (GPS/ GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou) and many frequencies. Single feed antennas were suitable for single constellation and single frequency tracking. In today’s multi GNSS environment, Calian’s Accutenna® technology is required to provide the accuracy and precision supported by Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) and Precise Point Positioning (PPP) applications .

What is a Dual Feed Antenna?

Dual feed points are used on patch antennas to receive a circularly polarized wave form. Both feed points receive independent linear signals which are then combined with a 90 degrees phase shift, to produce a circular signal. This applies over the full bandwidth of the antenna and greatly improves rejection of cross polarized signals (caused by multi-path reflections). Because multi-path is a significant cause of positioning error, dual feed antennas provide much higher precision than single feed antennas.

In contrast, single feed patch antennas provide a circular response only at a singular frequency (at resonance). At frequencies increasingly offset from the resonant frequency, the antenna response becomes increasingly elliptical. A single feed antenna used to receive two constellations, such as GPS (1575.42 MHz) and GLONASS (1606 MHz), is typically tuned to a mid-point frequency (1590 MHz). Single feed patch elements then have typical axial ratios at GPS and GLONASS frequencies of 7-8dB, compared with 1dB typical for a well-balanced dual feed Accutenna® antenna. Therefore a single feed antenna has poor rejection of cross polarized signals. The end result of using single feed antenna is poor precision.

Figure 1 illustrates this point well. At the tuned frequency of 1590 MHz, the single feed antenna has a cross polarized signal rejection of about 25 dB but only about 5 dB of rejection at 1575.42 MHz and up to 1606 MHz (the frequencies of interest). Compare that with the approximately 20dB rejection provided by the dual feed patch (Accutenna) equivalent. If the signal presented from an antenna to a GNSS receiver is “mangled” by multipath interference, the available precision will be degraded because of irresolvable uncertainty, regardless of the capabilities of the GNSS receiver chip. Multipath interference is common and to be expected even in normal reception situations and is a significant source of error for most GNSS receivers with single feed antennas.

Connect with Calian on LinkedIn

Your gateway to advanced technologies innovation

Explore Calian’s advanced technology solutions on LinkedIn. Stay up to date on advancements in space and communications technologies and connect with a community passionate about moving the world forward.

Advanced Technologies on LinkedIn

Talk to a Calian expert today

Reach out to us to learn how our innovative solutions can help you solve your most complex challenges.

Social responsibility at Calian

Committed to social responsibility.

ESG—more than a buzzword.

Our vision builds on our mission, values, historical commitment to social responsibility and key competencies. It provides a framework and focus for our activities and corporate communications related to ESG (Environmental Social Governance).

Download ESG report

Your service inspires us.

Proudly welcoming 100+ veterans to our team every year

Their expertise enriches our solutions, and hiring military spouses is our heartfelt way of giving back to the defence community. We’re committed to being there for you, in and out of uniform.

Explore opportunities

Relocating? We’ve got you covered.

4,000+ family members connected with family doctors

Our partnership with the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services ensures that military family members are connected with family doctors, hassle-free.

Learn more

Building a resilient community together.

$650,000+ in corporate giving

We are woven into our community’s fabric, our support extending to renowned organizations and causes. We’re not just about business; we are about building a supportive and resilient community together.

Learn more

Engaging in research that matters.

Our contributions to significant research projects and our focus on environmental safety are unwavering. We’re front-runners in compliance with environmental laws and continually innovate to lessen our ecological footprint.

Learn more

Committed to exceeding expectations.

30+ Indigenous community engagements

With a published Indigenous engagement policy, Calian sets out the framework and guidelines for all Calian business activities while being wholly committed to meeting—even exceeding—the five per cent Indigenous participation requirement on all Federal contracts.

Learn more