In collaboration with Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Helix Geospace will develop an Advanced Adaptive Antenna that overcomes GNSS resilience challenges in urban environments.
While standard GNSS solutions, such as GPS, typically offer positional accuracy of 5–10 metres, this technology delivers resilient, centimetre-level precision, representing a significant improvement in terms of micromobility and CAM systems operating in dense urban landscapes.
Urban environments present significant obstacles for reliable GNSS navigation due to limited satellite visibility and signal interference caused by tall buildings, infrastructure, and high device density. These challenges lead to:
- Multipath Errors and Atmospheric Interference
- GNSS signals reflecting off buildings create multiple paths before reaching the receiver, while atmospheric conditions exacerbate errors.
- Limited Satellite Visibility
- Obstructions reduce the number of satellites a receiver can access, hindering precise position calculations.
- Signal Crowding
- A high density of devices competing for satellite connections leads to signal congestion.
- Design Constraints
- Tight device enclosures and surrounding metal components impact antenna performance.
Collectively, these challenges underscore the urgent need for energy-efficient and robust GNSS solutions in congested urban spaces.
Heliix’s advanced adaptive GNSS antenna system integrates innovative technologies to combat urban GNSS challenges and by combining cost-effectiveness with energy efficiency, it ensures reliable positioning in dense, signal-restricted environments.
The system is built on Dielectrix technology, a dielectric-loaded, multi-filar antenna design that minimises intra-element coupling. Enhancing the antenna's capabilities, Sony’s CXD5610 chipset adds multi-constellation GNSS support (L1 and L5 bands) for improved accuracy and operates with ultra-low power consumption at just 5.6 mW in low-power mode.
The antenna’s compact 3.2 x 3.7 mm XFGBA footprint makes it ideal for space-constrained applications. The inclusion of a disciplined Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) further increases accuracy by utilising sophisticated algorithms to maintain reliable navigation even when GNSS signals are weak or unavailable.
By combining multi-band capabilities, advanced algorithms, and energy efficiency, the system also enhances battery performance and reduces costs, making it suitable for mass-market IoT and mobility applications.
This Advanced Adaptive Antenna is poised to support the evolution of connected and automated mobility by ensuring consistent and accurate positioning in densely populated urban areas ensuring safe and efficient operation of autonomous and connected vehicles.
Key benefits for CAM applications:
Enhanced Safety & Compliance - precise position and geofencing ensures regulatory compliance and reduces unauthorised travel.
Improved Autonomous Navigation - reliable GNSS positioning for safe operation in complex urban environments.
Energy Efficiency - low-power tech extends battery life for sustainable e-vehicles and micromobility.
Reliable Micromobility Performance - accurate tracking supports navigation, crash detection, and usage monitoring.
Actionable Data Insights - high-quality positioning data enables route optimisation, predictive maintenance, and fleet efficiency.
