Antenna Selection for GNSS Receivers

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method to improve the performance of a GNSS receiver using antenna switching. The system has a plurality of antennas and at least one radio frequency RF chain. There are fewer RF chain(s) than antennas. A receiver processes a plurality of signals sent by a plurality of transmitters. The system also includes antenna switches and switch controller. The method includes processing signals from a plurality of satellite vehicles SVs using an antenna selected from a plurality of antennas.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for switching antennas, said method comprising:
 processing signals from a plurality of satellite vehicles SVs using a first antenna Ai selected from a plurality of antennas, where i is antenna index;   computing a signal quality metric for one or more of the signals;   selecting an antenna from the plurality of antennas using a decision metric;   switching antennas to the selected antenna; and   receiving a plurality of signals on the selected antenna.   
     
     
         13 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein checking other antenna(s) if a change in orientation is detected. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein antenna selection is done after the occurrence of an event. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the event is related to various signal quality metrics. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the event is related to various sensor inputs. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the event is related to the time elapsed since the last time antenna selection was implemented. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sensors are used to detect the change in orientation.