Nowadays, the demand for GPS applications is growing all over the world. Helix and Patch antennas are widely used in several GPS applications. To understand the working of these 2 antennas, it is necessary to know the meaning of both these antennas in detail. We will also talk about the benefits of Helix Antenna and the differences between these antennas to know the better antenna.
What is a Helix Antenna?
A helix antenna is a type of antenna that is developed with or without any ground plane. It emits an omnidirectional radiation pattern. This antenna can even work without any ground planes. However, the ground plane will give better performance in an antenna.
If you want to use the ground plane in an antenna, it should be placed at a minimum distance from the radiation part of the antenna. You can use a helix antenna in the internal or external part of the space. Helix antennas have the features of a zapper and vertical antenna. Moreover, the helix antennas can receive signals at an angle of 360 degrees.
Benefits of Helix Antenna
After discussing the meaning of a helix antenna, let us now discuss the benefits of this antenna. Helix antennas give various benefits such as:
1. Used with or without ground plane
Helix antennas can be used with or without ground planes. They perform better than other types of antennas when you use the ground plane. You can use this antenna in a variety of GPS applications with the help of a ground plane.
2. Suitable for external or internal use of antenna
One of the major benefits of a Quadrifilar Helix Antenna is that it can be used in the internal and external parts of the devices.
3. Gives higher gain
Helix antennas give higher gain than patch antennas in the device. As a result, the device works better with helix antennas. You can use helix antennas for both VHF and UHF bands. They have wide bandwidth and give higher directivity than other antennas.
4. Simple design
Helix antennas have a simpler design than other kinds of antennas. It is easy to design this antenna by using a few components. This antenna can give circular polarization as well.
What is a Patch Antenna?
Patch antenna is used in many applications due to durability and simple manufacturing. This antenna is very easy to design just like helix antennas. Patch antennas can be in any shape such as long, square, and round.
These antennas give high gain when you install them on the top side of a ground plane. The most popular kind of patch antenna is the ceramic type. It has dimensions of various ranges. Patch antennas with small ground planes have a back-lobe in the radiation pattern.
While using the patch antenna, you must look at a few important things. The components of this antenna should not be mounted near the patch. Apart from that, you must also keep a minimum distance between antennas and devices. Signal line paths should not be used under or near the patch antennas.
Benefits of Patch Antenna
Now, let us discuss the benefits of a patch antenna in this section. The major benefits of patch antennas are:
- Patch antennas work better than traditional antennas which are not feasible.
- These antennas work at microwave frequencies whereas a traditional antenna does not work.
- It is widely used in many small devices.
- You can integrate patch antennas with MMIC or MICs.
- Patch antennas are lightweight as well as comfortable to use because of their small size.
- They can support dual, triple, and other frequency bands.
- These antennas will support both linear and circular polarization kinds.
- Patch antennas work better when you mount them on the rigid surface of any device.
Difference between Helix Antenna and Patch Antenna
This section explains the differences between helix antennas and patch antennas in detail.
· Use
Helix antennas can be used both in the internal and external parts of the device. On the other hand, the patch antennas are used on the external part of the devices.
· Gain
Helix antennas give a higher gain than patch antennas. On the other hand, the patch antennas give a lower gain in any device. Patch antennas are very easy to fabricate on printed circuit board whereas helix antennas are not very simple to fabricate on the circuit board because of their small size.
· Sensitivity
Helix antennas show lower sensitivity than other kinds of antennas. They cannot detect weak signals from certain radio frequency sources. If you want a better sensitivity, use patch antennas in the device. They are capable of detecting signals from certain sources.
· Directions
Helix antennas are omnidirectional and emit signals in any direction. On the other hand, patch antennas are unidirectional and can emit signals only in one direction.
· Sizes
Helix antenna is normally available in small sizes. This is the reason why helix antennas are widely used in small devices. Contrary to that, you will get large sizes of patch antennas in the market. They are available in a large variety in the market.
· Cost
Helix antennas are costlier than patch antennas. On the other hand, you will get patch antennas at an affordable rate in the market. Helix antennas are widely used in multiple GPS applications whereas patch antennas are generally used in many portable wireless applications.
· Construction
It is simple to build a helix antenna for engineers whereas patch antennas are difficult to build. Helix antennas have a simple design and construction. On the other hand, patch antennas have a complex structure and design.
Final words
These are the major differences between helix antennas and patch antennas with their benefits. If you want the Best Helix Antenna, You can ask for quotes from Antenna Experts. Our team of experts helps you to get the best type and size of antenna. Choose the best antennas according to your needs or budget.
You can also get many customized products with different features and characteristics from manufacturers and companies.
