The **APTA-524-R** is a high-performance, ultra-compact GPS/GNSS patch antenna commonly used in embedded systems where space is at a premium and high sensitivity is required. Below is a detailed breakdown of its electronic specifications and technical characteristics. --- ### 1. General Overview The APTA-524-R is an **Active Patch Antenna**. Unlike passive antennas, it incorporates an integrated Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) to boost weak satellite signals, making it ideal for devices with long cable runs or those operating in challenging environments. ### 2. Technical Specifications | Feature | Specification | | :--- | :--- | | **Frequency Range** | 1575.42 ± 1.02 MHz (GPS L1 Band) | | **Antenna Type** | Ceramic Patch | | **Polarization** | RHCP (Right Hand Circular Polarization) | | **LNA Gain** | Typically 28 dB | | **Noise Figure** | ≤ 1.5 dB | | **Operating Voltage** | 2.7V to 5.0V DC | | **Current Consumption** | 10mA - 15mA (typical) | | **Output Impedance** | 50 Ω | | **Connector Type** | U.FL / IPEX (standard for most revisions) | --- ### 3. Key Electronic Components #### A. The Ceramic Patch Element The core of the part is a square ceramic block. This material has a high dielectric constant, which allows the antenna to be physically small while still maintaining resonance at the 1575.42 MHz frequency. #### B. Integrated LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) This is the "active" part of the antenna. * **Purpose:** It amplifies the signal received by the ceramic patch before it reaches the GNSS receiver module. * **Filtering:** Most versions include a SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) filter to reject out-of-band interference from cellular or Wi-Fi signals. #### C. Feed Mechanism The antenna typically uses a "pin-feed" design where a metal pin connects the ceramic patch to the PCB on the underside, leading directly into the LNA circuit. --- ### 4. Implementation Details To use the APTA-524-R in an electronic design, consider the following: 1. **Power Supply:** The DC voltage is usually fed through the center conductor of the coaxial cable (Phantom Power). Your GNSS receiver module must be capable of providing this "Bias-T" voltage. 2. **Ground Plane:** For optimal performance, the antenna should be mounted on a metal ground plane. The size of this plane affects the center frequency and gain. 3. **Orientation:** As a RHCP antenna, it should ideally point toward the sky. ---