Virtual Antenna Technology vs. Traditional Patch Antennas in GNSS Applications

The rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) has brought a demand for enhanced and reliable location-tracking technologies. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have become indispensable in numerous applications, such as asset tracking, wearables, smart cities, and autonomous vehicles. IoT devices with GNSS capabilities have traditionally relied on circularly polarized microstrip patch antennas to receive satellite signals. While these antennas work well when the device is optimally positioned, their performance degrades in dynamic environments where the device orientation can vary.

To address this challenge, Ignion’s Virtual Antenna Technology has emerged as an innovative alternative. This article evaluates Virtual Antenna Technology against traditional GNSS patch antennas in real-world applications. The findings demonstrate how Virtual Antenna Technology’s linearly polarized, non-resonant design provides significant improvements in Time To First Fix (TTFF), antenna size, power efficiency, and omnidirectional performance, making it an ideal choice for next-generation GNSS-enabled IoT devices.

This research article highlights the results of an in-depth comparison between Virtual Antenna Technology and circularly polarized antennas, offering valuable insights for IoT device manufacturers and antenna engineers exploring the best solutions for location-based IoT applications.

Summary of Key Findings

• Faster Time to First Fix (TTFF): Virtual Antenna Technology reduces TTFF by 7.1 seconds on average compared to circularly polarized patch antennas in dynamic environments.
• Smaller Size: Virtual Antenna Technology antennas are up to 42 times smaller in volume compared to traditional microstrip patch antennas, facilitating easier integration into compact devices.
• Omnidirectional Coverage: Virtual Antenna Technology offers consistent performance regardless of device orientation, providing robust GNSS connectivity even when devices are placed upside down or obstructed.
• Energy Efficiency: Virtual Antenna Technology’s faster TTFF and compact form factor translate into significant battery savings, with devices achieving up to 6% longer battery life.

1. The Importance of GNSS in IoT and the Role of Antennas

GNSS technology is the backbone of many critical IoT applications, enabling accurate location tracking for devices that operate in remote, urban, or harsh environments. In asset tracking, for instance, knowing the exact location of goods can streamline logistics and reduce operational costs. Similarly, wearables and fitness devices rely on GNSS to track the user’s movements accurately.

To achieve this, GNSS devices use antennas to receive signals from satellites. However, antenna polarization plays a vital role in determining how efficiently the signal is captured. Circular polarization, as used in traditional GNSS antennas, is ideal for scenarios where the antenna maintains a clear view of the sky. However, in real-world IoT applications, the orientation of the device may vary significantly. A wearable device, for example, might switch orientations as the user moves, while asset trackers might be placed inside metal containers or on the floor of a vehicle, reducing their exposure to satellites.

This is where Ignion’s Virtual Antenna Technology stands out. By using a linearly polarized design with omnidirectional radiation patterns, Virtual Antenna Technology addresses the limitations of traditional patch antennas, offering consistent GNSS reception even in the most challenging conditions.

2. Comparative Study: Virtual Antenna Technology vs. Circularly Polarized Microstrip Patch Antennas

2.1 Test Setup and Key Performance Metrics

The study evaluated the performance of Virtual Antenna Technology compared to circularly polarized microstrip patch antennas in a variety of real-world scenarios. The tests were conducted in both static and dynamic environments to measure how well each antenna performed in terms of:

• Time to First Fix (TTFF): The time taken by the GNSS receiver to obtain the first fix.
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (CNo): A measure of the signal strength relative to background noise.
• Dilution of Precision (DOP): A metric that quantifies the precision of a satellite fix based on satellite geometry.
• Number of Satellites Acquired: The number of satellites in view, impacts positioning accuracy.

Two GNSS receiver setups were tested:

• Circularly Polarized Microstrip Patch Antenna: 17.0 x 17.0 x 6.1 mm, with RHCP (right-hand circular polarization).
• Virtual Antenna Technology Booster: 7.0 x 3.0 x 2.0 mm, with linear polarization and omnidirectional radiation.

2.2 Time to First Fix (TTFF) Performance

Time to first fix (TTFF) is a critical performance metric for GNSS devices, especially those operating in battery-saving modes. In IoT applications such as asset tracking, the device typically wakes up periodically to perform a location fix and then returns to low-power mode. Reducing TTFF improves both the user experience and device battery life, as less time is spent searching for satellites.

In the tests, Virtual Antenna Technology consistently demonstrated superior TTFF performance compared to the circularly polarized patch antenna. In dynamic scenarios, such as placing the device in a vehicle under a seat or upside down, Virtual Antenna Technology achieved an average TTFF of 57.8 seconds, while the patch antenna averaged 64.9 seconds—a 7.1-second improvement (Table 1). This faster TTFF translates to greater energy savings, as IoT devices equipped with Virtual Antenna Technology can return to sleep mode more quickly.

Table 1: Time to First Fix (TTFF) Comparison

2.3 Antenna Size, Design Complexity, and Integration

For IoT manufacturers, antenna size and ease of integration are crucial factors. Virtual Antenna Technology’s compact size—42 times smaller in volume than the traditional microstrip patch antenna—allows for easier integration into wearables, compact trackers, and smart sensors. The reduced footprint makes Virtual Antenna Technology ideal for multi-functional IoT devices that require GNSS alongside other wireless protocols, such as LTE, NB-IoT, and Bluetooth.

The simplicity of Virtual Antenna Technology’s bill of materials (BoM) further reduces design complexity. Traditional patch antennas often require external low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), coaxial cables, and specialized mounting hardware, whereas Virtual Antenna Technology integrates directly onto the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) of the device. This not only simplifies manufacturing but also lowers costs and accelerates the time to market.

Table 2: Size Comparison Between Patch Antenna and Virtual Antenna Technology

2.4 Performance in Dynamic and Harsh Environments

GNSS devices often operate in dynamic environments, such as vehicles, moving assets, or urban landscapes, where signal reception can be hindered by obstructions and multipath interference. Multipath occurs when GNSS signals reflect off buildings or other surfaces, degrading the quality of the received signal.

In such environments, Virtual Antenna Technology demonstrated a clear advantage. Thanks to its omnidirectional radiation pattern, Virtual Antenna Technology maintained strong signal reception across a variety of orientations and obstructions. In contrast, the circularly polarized patch antenna struggled to maintain consistent signal strength when not perfectly aligned with the satellite.

Table 3: Signal Reception and Accuracy Comparison

Fig. 1 Average TTFF in seconds for the different positions for the circularly polarized microstrip antenna and the linearly polarized antenna booster. These results were placed on a schematic design of an automobile representing the position of the device. As shown in the figure, for each position, the results were averaged considering the different orientations. (a) Rear dashboard (left) and Front dashboard (right). The lower the TTFF, the better.

2.5 Battery Efficiency and Power Consumption

One of the biggest advantages of Virtual Antenna Technology is its impact on power consumption. In IoT devices, such as remote sensors, asset trackers, and smart meters, where battery life is critical, Virtual Antenna Technology's ability to deliver faster TTFF significantly extends operational life. Tests showed that the 7.1-second reduction in TTFF provided by Virtual Antenna Technology results in a 6% increase in battery life over time, a critical improvement for devices that need to operate autonomously for extended periods.

By minimizing the time spent acquiring satellite signals, devices using Virtual Antenna Technology are able to conserve battery power, extending their usable life and reducing the need for frequent maintenance or battery replacements.

3. Conclusion: Virtual Antenna Technology’s Future in GNSS Applications

As IoT applications become more complex and demanding, the need for efficient, compact, and reliable GNSS solutions has never been greater. Ignion’s Virtual Antenna Technology offers a compelling alternative to traditional GNSS patch antennas, particularly in applications where device orientation, size, and power consumption are critical factors.

With its faster TTFF, smaller form factor, and robust omnidirectional performance, Virtual Antenna Technology is set to revolutionize the GNSS antenna market, providing manufacturers with a scalable solution for next-generation IoT devices. Whether used in asset tracking, wearables, or autonomous systems, Virtual Antenna Technology enables superior performance while reducing design complexity and cost.

Looking ahead, Virtual Antenna Technology’s adaptability to multiband GNSS systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and any new to come) ensures that it remains a future-proof solution for the rapidly evolving IoT landscape. Ignion’s Virtual Antenna Technology is not just an alternative; it is the future of GNSS in the IoT ecosystem.

Click here to learn more about Virtual Antenna Technology from Ignion.