Suppliers
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Tersus GNSS
GNSS Receivers & Antennas, Satellite-based PPP Correction Service, and Network RTK Service for Centimeter-level Positioning
Platinum Partner
Calian GNSS Ltd
High-Precision GNSS Antennas for Position, Navigation & Timing in Drones, Robots & Autonomous Vehicles
Platinum Partner
Southwest Antennas
High Performance RF & Microwave Antennas for UAVs, Robotics, USVs and Unmanned Marine Vehicles
Platinum Partner
Triad RF Systems
Integrated Radio Systems, RF Power Amplifiers, Bi-Directional Amplifiers & Consultancy Services for UAV & Unmanned Systems
Platinum Partner
Advanced Navigation
Software-Defined Inertial Navigation Systems (MEMS & FOG), and Acoustic Positioning Solutions
Platinum Partner
Inertial Labs, a VIAVI Solutions Company
Inertial Navigation Sensors: MEMS IMU, Accelerometers, Gyroscopes, AHRS, GPS-INS & Point Cloud Generation
Platinum Partner
NovAtel
Precise Positioning for Unmanned Vehicles: GPS & GNSS Receivers, Antennas & Inertial Systems
Platinum Partner
Gotonomi
Miniaturized UAV Satcom & Cellular Connectivity Solutions Enabling BVLOS Operations
Gold Partner
Persistent Systems
Wave Relay® MANET Technology: Ultra-Reliable Mobile Networking for Unmanned Systems
Gold Partner
Taisync Technology
Wireless Datalink Solutions for Unmanned Vehicles & Robotic Platforms
Gold Partner
Harxon Corporation
High-Precision GNSS Antennas: Assured Autonomy & Positioning for Unmanned Systems
Gold Partner
Iridium Communications
Maritime Satellite Communications & Connectivity - SATCOM Terminals and Antennas
Gold Partner
Embention
UAV Autopilot Flight Controllers, Ground Stations, ESC Controllers & Tracking Antennas
Gold Partner
TUALCOM
Anti-Jam GPS-GNSS Devices, Tactical Data Links, Telemetry Systems, Electronic Warfare Equipment
Gold Partner
Meteksan Defense
UAV Components: SAR, Radar Altimeter, Data Links, Telemetry, GNSS Products & C-UAS | Tactical USVs
Gold Partner
Steatite
Ultra-Reliable Rugged Hardware Solutions for Mission-Critical UAVs & Unmanned Systems Operating in Extreme Environments
Silver Partner
Maxtena
High-Performance, Rugged GPS & GNSS Antenna Solutions for Drones & Autonomous Vehicles
Silver Partner
Alpha Unmanned Systems
Helicopter UAVs: Rotary Wing Drones for Maritime, Naval & Security Operations | UAS GCS
Silver Partner
VB Antennas
RF & Microwave Antennas for Drones & GCS | Surveillance & Communication Antennas
Silver Partner
Simpulse
SDR Technology, UAV Data Links & Tracking Antennas for Long-Range Communications
Silver Partner
Aerobits
Miniature ADS-B Technology (Transceivers/Receivers) and Drone Tracking Transponders for sUAS & UTM/U-Space
Silver Partner
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If you design, build or supply Antennas, create a profile to showcase your capabilities on this page.
Products
Overview
Drone & UAV Antenna
GNSS Tracking Antenna By Topcon
Unmanned vehicles, such as UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles) and AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles) transmit and receive a variety of signals. These signals may include GPS/GNSS signals, telemetry and sensor data, as well as cellular and wifi communication signals that allow the vehicle to form part of a network or connect to the Internet of Things (IoT). GNSS antennas receive signals transmitted by satellites in GNSS constellations such as GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou. These signals contain data that can be used by UAVs and unmanned systems to determine position, velocity and timing.
The unmanned vehicle may communicate with a ground station, satellite or another vehicle and will require an antenna – a transducer that converts electrical energy into electromagnetic waves and/or vice versa – to transmit and receive signals. With advances in modern materials, UAV antennas can be constructed with a smaller size and embedded into the aircraft with a low profile, resulting in less weight and less aerodynamic drag on the aircraft.
UAV Tracking Antenna
Ground-based antennas can be used to communicate with UAVs as part of a ground control station or command centre, or to track them as part of a counter-drone system or UTM (unmanned traffic management) platform.
Linearly & Circularly Polarized Antennas
NovAtel tracking antenna for UAV
Antennas are tuned to specific frequencies or frequency ranges, and can be either linearly or circularly polarized. Linearly polarized antennas can be simpler to construct and may provide greater range. However, due to the need to keep transmitting and receiving, antennas are aligned to ensure maximum signal overlap, which can make them unsuitable for fast-moving unmanned aircraft, which might change direction frequently and thus bring the antennas out of alignment.
Circularly polarised antennas are more suitable for fast-moving vehicles as the radiation pattern ensures that there is some overlap no matter the angle of antenna alignment.
Ultra-Flex Omni-Directional Antennas by Southwest Antennas
Directional & Omni-Directional Antennas for UAVs
Antennas can also be classified as directional or omni-directional. Directional antennas can achieve greater range at the cost of coverage, whereas omni-directional antennas provide coverage 360 degrees horizontally from the antenna, but are limited in range.
Some unmanned vehicle control stations may incorporate directional or omni-directional antenna, monitoring the signal reception and switching antennas as needed.
Microwave Antennas & Communications
Most unmanned vehicle communications signals will occur in the radio frequency range, however due to increasingly crowded airwaves, microwave communications are becoming more common. Microwave signals provide greater bandwidth than radio signals but cannot be refracted in the way that radio frequency signals can, thus limiting microwave antennas to line of sight (LOS) applications.
