Home GNSS Antennas

Geodetic GNSS Antennas Product Card
Helical GNSS Antennas Product Card
Patch GNSS Antennas Product Card

GNSS antennas for reliable positioning

SBG Systems offers a selection of high-performance GNSS antennas optimized for seamless integration with our INS/GNSS products.

Each antenna is carefully tested and validated to deliver reliable positioning, robust signal tracking, and enhanced performance in diverse environments.

GNSS antennas selection to meet your needs.

We design and test our recommended antennas to meet the demands of precision navigation, whether for ground, aerial, or marine applications. These antennas support multi-constellation and multi-frequency GNSS, ensuring compatibility with SBG’s advanced GNSS/INS products.

By using one of our recommended antennas, you ensure optimal signal quality, reduced multipath effects, and stable RTK/PPP performance in most conditions.

Geodetic GNSS Antennas Example

Geodetic GNSS antennas, like a choke ring antenna, are high-precision, survey-grade GNSS antennas designed for long-term static measurements. They have a very stable phase center, which is crucial for applications like RTK base stations, PPK workflows, and scientific monitoring. They are ideal for static, high-precision GNSS applications (e.g. mobile mapping or precision farming), offering unparalleled accuracy and long-term stability.

Patch GNSS Antennas

Patch or microstrip antennas feature a metal layer as the sensing element, separated by an insulating layer from a larger metal sheet called the ground plane. This design allows for a compact, low-profile form ideal for mounting on flat surfaces. The ground plane reduces multipath interference but also results in a directional signal pattern. While it has limited ability to filter reflected signals, its small phase center variation (PCV) makes it well-suited for RTK applications.

Helical GNSS Antennas

Helical or Helix GNSS antennas provide wide coverage, are lightweight, and excel in dynamic or obstructed environments like UAVs and autonomous vehicles. One of their key advantages is better resistance to reflected signals, eliminating the need for a ground plane. Due to their design, helical antennas are more susceptible to multipath.

Choose the right GNSS antenna for your sensor

We supply and support several GNSS antennas that match the requirements of typical use cases. These antennas cover single- and dual-frequency operation, offer rugged enclosures, and include cables and mounts when needed.
Explore the differences between all GNSS antenna types.

Geodetic GNSS Antennas Product Card

Geodetic GNSS Antennas
Patch GNSS Antennas Product Card

Patch GNSS Antennas
Helical GNSS Antennas Product Card

Helical GNSS Antennas
Grade Survey-Grade Grade Basic to Mid-Grade Grade Mid-Grade to High-Mobility Grade
Frequency Bands Multi-band Frequency Bands Multi-band Frequency Bands Multi-band
Radiation Pattern Controlled: hemispherical, high elevation gain Radiation Pattern Controlled: Zenith-focused, limited gain at low elevations Radiation Pattern Controlled : early uniform circular, supports off-zenith angles
Multipath Rejection Excellent Multipath Rejection Low-Moderate Multipath Rejection Good
RFI/EMI Resistance Excellent RFI/EMI Resistance Low–Moderate RFI/EMI Resistance Moderate
Sensitivity Very high Sensitivity Moderate Sensitivity High (especially for sky-visible environments)
Phase centre Very important, very stable and tightly calibrated Phase centre Less stable, shifts with angle Phase centre Stable with design tuning
Built-in Filtering Advanced Built-in Filtering Basic (varies by model) Built-in Filtering Moderate
Dimensions Medium Dimensions Small Dimensions Small
Weight Moderate Weight Light to moderate Weight Very light
Applications Geodesy, surveying, reference stations, scientific monitoring Applications UAVs, USVs, Cars, Trains, mobile devices Applications UAVs and high-dynamics

Ask a quotation for GNSS antennas

To purchase our GNSS antennas directly from SBG Systems, please submit the following request.

Do you have questions?

Which GNSS antenna works best for RTK, PPP, and PPK?

The best type of GNSS antenna for RTK (Real-Time Kinematic), PPP (Precise Point Positioning), and PPK (Post-Processed Kinematic) depends on your accuracy requirements, environment, and application. However, certain antenna characteristics and types consistently perform better in high-precision GNSS workflows.

 

Application Best Antenna Type Notes
RTK (rover/base) Survey-grade or choke ring Choke ring for base; survey-grade for rover
PPK (UAVs, mobile mapping)

PPP (static or dynamic)

Survey-grade or helical

Survey-grade or choke ring

Compact with good PCV handling

Stable phase center is key

 

If you’re working with SBG Systems GNSS/INS solutions, use antennas that are officially recommended or tested for compatibility with your system’s GNSS receiver capabilities (e.g., multi-band/multi-constellation) to ensure optimal results in RTK, PPP, and PPK workflows.

What is Multipath?

Multipath occurs when GNSS signals bounce off nearby surfaces (like buildings, water, or the ground) before reaching the antenna. These reflected signals arrive slightly later than the direct signal, confusing the receiver and degrading positional accuracy.

What is a Choke Ring?

A choke ring is a set of concentric metal rings or grooves placed around the base of a GNSS antenna. These rings are carefully engineered to create a kind of “trap” for the reflected signals, especially those coming from low elevation angles.

The choke ring structure attenuates (weakens) or blocks the multipath signals by disrupting their wave patterns. It allows direct signals from satellites overhead to reach the antenna element clearly, while minimizing interference from signals bouncing off the ground or nearby surfaces. This design is especially effective at low elevation angles, where multipath is more likely.

Choke ring antennas are typically used in:
– High-precision GNSS applications, like geodesy, surveying, and reference stations.
Base stations in RTK or PPK setups.
– Scientific and monitoring stations, such as those tracking tectonic movement.

Choke rings enhance GNSS antenna performance by suppressing multipath interference, leading to greater accuracy and signal stability—which is critical for professional-grade surveying and geolocation tasks.

What is GNSS vs GPS?

GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System and GPS for Global Positioning System. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different concepts within satellite-based navigation systems.

 

GNSS is a collective term for all satellite navigation systems, while GPS refers specifically to the U.S. system. It includes multiple systems that provide more comprehensive global coverage, while GPS is just one of those systems.

 

You get improved accuracy and reliability with GNSS, by integrating data from multiple systems, whereas GPS alone might have limitations depending on satellite availability and environmental conditions.