Design of a 16-Element Antenna Subarray Architecture for High Gain GPS Applications
This presentation outlines the design of a 16-element antenna subarray architecture for the PyChips GPS/GNSS receiver using only COTS components and materials. The goal of this array is to achieve high gain at a low cost for improved carrier-to-noise density ratio C/N0 when implemented with adaptive beamforming and spatial combination. Different methods are explored to implement these algorithms blindly with no prior information known about the array. COTS absorber materials are investigated for mutual coupling suppression to improve adaptive beamforming and spatial combination performance. The final subarray design is inherently expandable to multiple subarrays and suitable for mounting on ground-based mobile platforms, unlike traditional dish antennas, which are more expensive and larger. Several subarray geometries were investigated to assess performance while complying with Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWAP-C) requirements.
Bio: Capt Ethan Ward is a Developmental Engineer (62E) and recently graduated with an M.S. in Electrical Engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology. His research focused on antenna array design for a 16-channel GPS/GNSS receiver front-end. He received a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oregon State University and commissioned into the U.S. Air Force in March 2022. Following his commission, he worked as an engineer on the AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWR) at Peterson SFB, CO. His current assignment is at the 773TS at Edwards AFB, CA where he works as a Flight Test Engineer.
Location: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/
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- Co-sponsored by IEEE Dayton Section MTT/APS
- Starts 08 May 2026 08:00 PM UTC
- Ends 15 May 2026 06:50 PM UTC
- No Admission Charge
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Capt Ethan Ward
Design of a 16-Element Antenna Subarray Architecture for High Gain GPS Applications
Abstract: This presentation outlines the design of a 16-element antenna subarray architecture for the PyChips GPS/GNSS receiver using only COTS components and materials. The goal of this array is to achieve high gain at a low cost for improved carrier-to-noise density ratio C/N0 when implemented with adaptive beamforming and spatial combination. Different methods are explored to implement these algorithms blindly with no prior information known about the array. COTS absorber materials are investigated for mutual coupling suppression to improve adaptive beamforming and spatial combination performance. The final subarray design is inherently expandable to multiple subarrays and suitable for mounting on ground-based mobile platforms, unlike traditional dish antennas, which are more expensive and larger. Several subarray geometries were investigated to assess performance while complying with Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWAP-C) requirements.
Bio: Capt Ethan Ward is a Developmental Engineer (62E) and recently graduated with an M.S. in Electrical Engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology. His research focused on antenna array design for a 16-channel GPS/GNSS receiver front-end. He received a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oregon State University and commissioned into the U.S. Air Force in March 2022. Following his commission, he worked as an engineer on the AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWR) at Peterson SFB, CO. His current assignment is at the 773TS at Edwards AFB, CA where he works as a Flight Test Engineer.
Location: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/