Welcome to the latest edition of O'Shea Insights, my newsletter to keep you informed about what's happening at Taoglas and the innovations shaping connectivity.  

This issue focuses on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), which refers to any satellite constellation, such as GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, that provides worldwide positioning, navigation, and timing services. 

GPS accuracy has come a long way since the system was opened to non-military applications in 1983. Civilian GPS receivers were initially limited to an accuracy of about 330 feet (100 meters) until 2000 when this restriction was eliminated. 

Another improvement is additional signals. GPS initially had just one signal for civilian applications: L1 at 1575.42 MHz, which enabled location accuracy of 3 meters. Today, L1 can be combined with the newer L2 (1227.60 MHz) and/or L5 (1176.45 MHz) signals to increase accuracy down to 1.5 meters.

These advancements are transforming GNSS solutions across industries, from UAVs and autonomous robotics to smart agriculture, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. However, they’re also raising the bar for everyone involved, including solution providers, engineers, and component manufacturers alike.

That’s why device manufacturers, IoT service providers, and system designers choose an experienced partner like Taoglas to help navigate them through seamless GNSS integration. 

GNSS Antennas for every device

Taoglas has a long history with GNSS, and it's a topic that is very close to my heart. We were involved in the early days of GPS, and I was personally involved in selling satellite navigation units when they were a hunk of electronics stuck on your windscreen. Taoglas' first product, over 20 years ago, was a GPS patch antenna, which was used in the shark fin on the roofs of two Ford car models. And we're still shipping that antenna today. What sets our GNSS solutions apart—then and now—is our ability to customize: we not only tune for optimal performance during design, but we also do it in production when necessary, and we always quality check every antenna that is shipped. Since then, we've helped thousands of customers bring their GNSS solutions to market on time, the first time. Check out one of the world's most extensive GNSS antenna portfolios by clicking the button below. 

Early consideration of GNSS design is crucial

With applications such as drones, precision agriculture, autonomous vehicles, and robotic lawnmowers, the requirement for cm-level accuracy is increasing. At the same time, product designs are getting smaller, lighter, and more power-constrained. 

That's why early consideration of GNSS design is crucial. Why? Because everything, from ground plane size and antenna placement to frequency selection, affects final system performance not just for GNSS but for all radios in your device. 

Our expert team takes a system-level approach, collaborating with engineers from the outset to optimize performance through efficient design. We tailor solutions to strike a balance between size, weight, power, and precision. We're here to help you understand what needs to be considered to enhance your GNSS solution. Discover our wide range of antenna design and testing services at the button below.

Maximizing GNSS precision

Technologies like Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) correction offer centimeter-level accuracy, but only if the whole system is designed correctly. This means minimising noise, optimising layout, and ensuring that all components work in harmony. Without that, the benefits of RTK and other advanced GNSS features can be lost. Read our blog below to learn how RTK functions, explore its implementation options and limitations, understand its evolution, and discover how to integrate it with IoT devices and other products.