MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONPUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION

7-3, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8310 JapanFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

No. 3480

Customer Inquiries

Media Inquiries

Information Technology R&D Center
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Public Relations Division
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

www.MitsubishiElectric.com/ssl/contact/company/rd/form.html

prd.gnews@nk.MitsubishiElectric.co.jp
www.MitsubishiElectric.com/news/

Mitsubishi Electric Develops World’s Smallest Antenna Prototype
for High-precision Satellite-based Positioning in Four Frequency Bands
Will accelerate highly accurate positioning for autonomous driving and much moreTOKYO, January 17, 2022 – Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that it hasdeveloped a prototype of the world's smallest* antenna for high-precision satellite-based positioning in four
frequency bands used by the world's main satellite-positioning systems and positioning-augmentation
services.** The highly compact antenna, which is expected to be installed in diverse vehicles and even drones,
will accelerate high-precision satellite-based positioning for autonomous driving and many other applications.
* As of January 17, 2022, among antennas for high-precision satellite-positioning in four frequency bands (according toMitsubishi Electric)** Services that provide information for correcting positioning errors and confirming positioning reliability

Prototype of compact antenna for satellite-positioning devices

Examples of satellite-positioning applications

Features1)

Proprietary technology achieves world’s smallest 4-band antenna for diverse vehicles- The antenna’s two folded linear elements are wired three dimensionally and symmetrically on each of fourmolded-resin layers, which are perpendicular to the module’s horizontal surface. This unique design has
resulted in the world’s smallest four-band antenna for the high-precision satellite-based positioning ofdiverse autonomous vehicles, including drones and small tractors as well as automobiles.

1/3

- The prototype’s L1 bandwidth, which is about triple that of the company’s existing model, is achieved withthree-dimensional wiring*** and an antenna configuration optimized for space limitations. Also, the newantenna supports major positioning-satellite systems and positioning-augmentation worldwide.
*** Achieved with a molded interconnect device (MID) in which electrodes, circuits, etc. are formed on the surfaces of threedimensional molded-resin layers

2)Unique structure achieves multipath wave suppression for more precise positioning- Positioning precision is enhanced with the antenna’s unique structure, which combines both straight andloop elements to reduce back lobe radiation, thereby suppressing multipath waves reflected from the ground.
- Compactness and multipath wave suppression are achieved without increasing the antenna’s size,
unlike conventional multipath-wave suppression methods.

Future Development
Going forward, Mitsubishi Electric will research practical applications by evaluating the prototype’s
positioning precision in outdoor trials.
Antenna Specifications
New antennaSize(including case)

Horizontalsurface

59 mm×59 mm

Height33 mm

Company A’s

Company B’s

Company C’s

140 mm×140 mm 160 mm diameter 76 mm diameter
62 mm

60 mm

35 mm

Background
Japan’s Cabinet Office authorized the launch of a centimeter-level positioning-augmentation service using theQuasi-Zenith Satellite System from November 2018. Positioning systems and services using the Quasi-Zenith
Satellite System are now operating in various fields, including for driving support and autonomous driving.
Antennas used in these systems can exceed 100 mm in diameter, so more compact designs are in demand.
Mitsubishi Electric’s new antenna is not only the world's smallest, it also is compatible with four frequency
bands. By expanding the bandwidth of the L1 band, the antenna can support popular positioning-satellite
systems and positioning-augmentation services worldwide. The antenna, which can be used in very small
vehicles, including drones, will accelerate high-precision positioning in diverse fields.
Details1)

Proprietary technology achieves world’s smallest 4-band antenna for diverse vehicles
Generally speaking, an antenna’s horizontal surface must be broad enough to satisfactorily receive signals
from positioning satellites. Mitsubishi Electric’s unprecedentedly small antenna arranges elements three
dimensionally, with two sets of folded linear elements placed symmetrically on each of four molded-resinlayers. Also, since performance is proportional to an antenna’s volume, the prototype’s three-dimensional

2/3element wiring and its space-optimized shape achieve high-frequency L1 band that is triple that of theexisting model, enhancing support for major positioning-satellite systems and positioning-augmentationworldwide. Also, compactness will enable installation in diverse vehicles, including drones.

Antenna size-reduction technology

2)

Expansion of frequency band:(L1: 1560–1591 MHz, L2: 1213–1244 MHz,
L5: 1164–1189 MHz and L6: 1257–1299 MHz)

Unique structure achieves multipath wave suppression for more precise positioning
In satellite-based positioning, precision can be degraded by multipath waves, i.e., electromagnetic waves
reflected from the ground. Such waves can be suppressed by reducing back-lobe radiation in the directionof the antenna's back, so Mitsubishi Electric developed a unique antenna structure for this purpose. Since
one of the prototype’s two folded linear antennas incorporates both straight and loop elements, Mitsubishi
Electric utilized the elements’ different radiation mechanisms to combine their respective radiated waves.
As a result, back-lobe radiation is reduced without increasing antenna size, unlike conventional methods.

Antenna elements for reducing back-lobe radiation###About Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
With 100 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation(TOKYO: 6503) is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical andelectronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite
communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment.
Mitsubishi Electric enriches society with technology in the spirit of its “Changes for the Better.” The company
recorded a revenue of 4,191.4 billion yen (U.S.$ 37.8 billion*) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. For
more information, please visit www.MitsubishiElectric.com*U.S. dollar amounts are translated from yen at the rate of ¥111=U.S.$1, the approximate rate on the Tokyo Foreign
Exchange Market on March 31, 2021

3/3