GNSS antennas in user receiver devices are relatively simple. More sophisticated antennas could be designed to bring spatial diversity and gain, and to be more resistant against spoofing and meaconing, as well as reducing other sources of interference, for instance by nulling the gain of the antenna in this direction. Using arrays of dynamic elements (phase/gain controlled) would also make it possible to adapt to the geometry of GNSS satellites in space, and improve receiver performance.
Today, the concept of beamforming for GNSS antenna remains a high-grade solution for very specialised, niche markets (e.g. defence, military aircraft, etc.) where resources and cost are less of an issue. The challenge to make it a viable option for wider or even mass markets, like railway, automotive, or handheld, requires application-specific enablers allowing cost, space, accommodation constraint reduction and optimisation of performance and reliability.
Solutions for cars, in particular, will be more challenging due to the tighter integration with the myriad of other RF sensors available to the self-driving car and different vehicle dynamics. Automotive solutions will also need to aim for higher volume and much lower cost.
The objective of the activity is to design, simulate and prototype an enhanced multi-element antenna for automotive users able to mitigate different types of interference, especially targeting Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
The activity will focus on antenna arrays for the automotive use case, where antenna elements can be spread a few metres apart. The objective is to improve the performance optimising accommodation, form factor and number of low cost elements, together with dynamic beamforming algorithms able to discriminate between wanted signals (from satellites) and unwanted signals (interference or spoofing).
The tasks to be performed will include:

• analysis and consolidation of application-specific requirements taking into account performance objectives envisaged in the automotive sector for ADAS, relevant standards, and outcome of similar activities;
• review of state-of-the-art techniques and technologies for low-cost antenna arrays (not limited to GNSS), and selection of the most promising ones suitable for the activity as a starting point. Re-use of COTS elements is encouraged;
• trade off/selection of the antenna architecture and high-level design (e.g. geometry, phase/gain control, front end, beamforming algorithms);
• design of the antenna elements with simulations, breadboarding, and testing;
• design and development of the antenna array system and of the beamforming algorithms. Proof-of-concept and testing.

The results of the study will provide guidance for planning future activities including further enhancements, and identification of other possible applications (e.g. UAV and robotics).
Provisions will be taken so that results and/or test equipment can also be made available for follow-on R&D activities of EC/EUSPA.