|
|
¶ General Description
The Mike 3A is a compact active GPS antenna designed for L1 (1575.42 MHz) operation. Its dual-mount design, featuring a magnetic base and separate adhesive pad, allows secure installation on a wide range of surfaces. With IP67 ingress protection, the weather-resistant housing is suitable for outdoor applications, including vehicle, fleet and asset tracking, mobile applications and general GPS positioning systems.
The antenna delivers 24 dBiC peak RHCP gain across the top hemisphere, supporting strong and stable satellite reception. A low axial ratio of 1.76 dB at zenith provides excellent circular polarisation, helping to improve signal quality and reduce multipath effects. The integrated Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) enhances weak signals while maintaining low power consumption, which ensures consistent GNSS performance even in demanding conditions.
The Mike 3A is supplied with standard cable lengths and SMA male connectors, with alternative cable lengths and connector options available for high-volume projects.
¶ Key Features
- Compact IP67-rated housing for outdoor use
- Supports GPS L1, Galileo E1, BeiDou B1C, and QZSS L1
- RHCP gain 24 dBiC
- Low axial ratio of 1.76 dB at zenith
- Magnetic base or adhesive pad mounting options
¶ Typical Applications
- Vehicle and fleet tracking
- Asset and equipment monitoring
- Outdoor mobile applications
- General GPS positioning systems
- Navigation and telematics systems
|
GPS L1 Antenna
Active GNSS
|
IP67 Rated
Ingress Protection
|
RHCP Gain
24 dBiC
|
Magnetic Mounting
Quick Installation
|
Low-Profile Design
Compact Installation
|
¶ Electrical Specifications
¶ Environmental Specifications
| Impedance: | 50 Ohm |
| Polarisation: | RHCP |
| Frequency Range: | 1575.42 MHz |
| Return Loss: | -21.62 dB |
| VSWR: | 1.18 |
| Required Ground Plane: | 100 x 100 mm |
| Peak RHCP Gain (Top Hemisphere): |
24.40 dBiC |
| Axial Ratio at Zenith: | 1.76 dB |
| Supply Voltage: | 3 - 5 V DC |
| Current Consumption: | ≤ 10 mA |
| Operating Temperature Range: | -40 °C to 85 °C |
| Storage Temperature Range: | -40 °C to 100 °C |
| Relative Humidity: | 95-100% |
| Ingress Protection: | IP67 |
¶ Mechanical Specifications
| Dimensions: | 50 × 39 × 17 mm |
| Weight: | 65 g |
| Connector: | SMA Male |
| Cable: | RG174 |
| Mounting Methods: | Magnetic / Adhesive |
¶ Spectrum Coverage*
| ↑ Suitable band | □ Adequate band in good signal conditions | ↓ Likely to be unsuitable |
¶ GNSS Standards Band Support
| Electrical Interface | Spherical RF Measurements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centre Frequency (MHz) | VSWR | Return Loss (dB) | Average RHCP Gain (dBiC) | Peak RHCP Gain (dBiC) | Median Axial Ratio (dB) | Minimum Axial Ratio (dB) |
| 1575.42 (L1) | 1.1823 | -21.6160 | 19.90 | 24.40 | 4.39 | 0.16 |
| Top Hemisphere RF Measurements | Zenith RF Measurements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centre Frequency (MHz) | Average RHCP Gain (dBiC) | Peak RHCP Gain (dBiC) | Median Axial Ratio (dB) | Minimum Axial Ratio (dB) | RHCP Gain at Zenith (dBiC) | Axial Ratio at Zenith (dB) |
| 1575.42 (L1) | 23.20 | 24.40 | 3.13 | 0.16 | 23.40 | 1.76 |
¶ RF Matching Performance
This section illustrates the antenna's impedance matching characteristics across the operating frequency range using VSWR and Return Loss measurements.
¶ RF Zenith
¶ RF Top Hemisphere
¶ RF Spherical
The following graphs display the Average and Peak RHCP Gain across the entire spherical coverage of the antenna. These metrics provide a comprehensive view of the antenna’s ability to receive signals from satellites at all elevations and directions.
Consistently high gain across the sphere ensures strong and stable GNSS reception in a variety of operating conditions.
¶ ZX and YZ Plane Axial Ratio Plots (Zenith is at 0 degrees)
The following graph shows how well the antenna maintains circular polarisation at different elevation angles. A lower axial ratio ensures better GNSS signal reception, especially at low elevations, which is crucial for applications requiring strong performance in obstructed environments or wide-angle satellite visibility.
¶ Test Setup (on 100 x 100 mm Ground Plane)
¶ 2D Radiation Plots
1575.42 MHz (L1)
|
|
|
¶ 3D Radiation Plots
1575.42 MHz (L1)
¶ Ordering Details
| Part Number | Description |
|---|---|
| MIKE3A/0.5M/SMAM/RA/S/17 |
IP67 Compact Active GPS L1 Magnetic Mount Antenna 0.5 Metre RG174 Cable and SMA Male Right Angle Connector |
| MIKE3A/2.5M/SMAM/S/S/17 |
IP67 Compact Active GPS L1 Magnetic Mount Antenna 2.5 Metre RG174 Cable and SMA Male Connector |
| MIKE3A/3M/SMAM/S/S/17 |
IP67 Compact Active GPS L1 Magnetic Mount Antenna 3 Metre RG174 Cable and SMA Male Connector |
| MIKE3A/5M/SMAM/S/S/17 |
IP67 Compact Active GPS L1 Magnetic Mount Antenna 5 Metre RG174 Cable and SMA Male Connector |
| MIKE3A/5M/SMAM/S/RA/17 |
IP67 Compact Active GPS L1 Magnetic Mount Antenna 5 Metre RG174 Cable and SMA Male Right Angle Connector |