CRPA Antenna – A Complete Guide to Anti Jamming GNSS Technology for Reliable Navigation

CRPA (Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna) technology used to be considered “high-end” and mainly associated with specialized applications. Today, as the GNSS environment becomes more challenging even for civil users, CRPA is rapidly entering mainstream UAV, automotive, robotics and infrastructure projects.

This guide provides a practical, engineer-friendly overview of CRPA antennas – what they are, how they work, and how our product line is designed for real-world integration.

1. What makes a CRPA antenna different?

A CRPA antenna is not just a single GNSS antenna element. It is an array of elements, combined with a signal processing module that can control the reception pattern in space. Compared to a traditional antenna, a CRPA solution can:

• Receive signals from multiple GNSS constellations (e.g. GPS L1, BeiDou B1, Galileo E1, with optional GLONASS G1 and dual-band options such as L1+L2 or L1+L5)

• Form beams and nulls dynamically to enhance satellites and suppress interference

• Maintain usable GNSS signals even when the interference-to-signal ratio is extremely high

In our current product line, typical single-interference suppression can reach up to 110 dB, with multi-interference performance (e.g. three interferers) around 95 dB, depending on the model and scenario.

2. Core architecture of our anti-jamming units

A typical anti-jamming unit from our portfolio consists of:

• Array antenna: 4, 8 or 16 elements, with common 4-element sizes at 50 mm and 65 mm; larger modules up to 200 mm or 300 mm for higher-end arrays

• Anti-jamming processing module: implements beamforming, null-steering and interference suppression in real time

• Optional built-in GNSS receiver: based on proven chipsets such as u-blox NEO-M9N or UM960, capable of outputting PVT results after anti-jamming processing

• Mechanical and environmental design: lightweight housings, IP65+ protection, wide temperature range and mounting options suitable for civil UAVs and vehicles

The unit can output either processed RF signals (−55 to −70 dBm, 50 Ω, VSWR ≤2.0) or PVT data via serial interfaces such as RS-232/RS-422 with NMEA-0183, depending on the configuration.

3. Choosing the right element count and size

When selecting a CRPA antenna for a civil project, engineers often need to balance performance with SWaP:

(1). 4-element arrays (e.g. 50×50 mm, 65×65 mm)

• Best for small UAVs and platforms with very limited installation space

• Typically ≤6 W power consumption, weight under 200 g for 65 mm models

• Capable of suppressing up to 3 interference directions, suitable for moderate interference environments

(2). 8-element arrays

• Provide stronger spatial anti-jamming capability on a single band

• Suitable for more complex interference scenarios where multiple jammers may appear in similar frequency ranges

(3). 16-element arrays

• Designed for the most demanding civil environments where GNSS must remain robust under many potential interference directions

• Higher power consumption and larger size, more suitable for larger UAVs, vehicles, or fixed installations

In dual-band use cases, dual 4-element configurations (e.g. L1+L2 or L1+L5) can offer a good compromise between multi-band coverage and compactness, while single-band 8-element arrays provide maximum robustness on one band.

4. Key specifications at a glance

From our latest quotation and specification sheets, here are some representative parameters (for reference):

• Frequency support: GPS L1, BeiDou B1, Galileo E1 as standard; some models support GLONASS G1 and dual-band combinations (L1+L2 or L1+L5)

• Power supply: typically DC 9–36 V, suitable for common civil power architectures

• Power consumption: around ≤6 W for compact 4-element models, up to tens of watts for larger 16-element arrays

• Interfaces: SMA RF output, J30J data/power connector; serial interfaces usually RS-232 or RS-422, with customization options when needed

• Environmental robustness: operating temperature from −40 °C to +65/70 °C, storage from −45 °C to +85 °C, waterproof rating not lower than IP65, with higher ratings available on request

Comprehensive factory tests cover visual inspection, dimensional checks, electrical and functional tests, as well as anti-jamming performance verification, with test reports available when required.

5. Integration tips for civil platforms

For engineers planning to integrate a CRPA anti-jamming antenna into their systems, a few practical recommendations are:

• Ensure the top surface of the antenna has a clear sky view and is not blocked by metal structures.

• Provide good thermal contact or airflow at the bottom metal surface for heat dissipation.

• When installing under a non-metallic radome or fuselage cover, make sure the material has sufficient RF transparency at L-band (e.g. wave transmission rate ≥92%).

• For flight controllers or navigation computers using ArduPilot, Betaflight or similar firmware, treat the anti-jamming antenna as a GNSS front-end and connect it according to the recommended RF and serial wiring for your hardware.

With proper integration, CRPA anti-jamming antennas can significantly improve GNSS robustness without requiring a complete redesign of your navigation architecture.

6. Where to go from here

If you are evaluating anti-jamming solutions for your UAV, autonomous vehicle, robotic platform or infrastructure node, our team can provide:

• Model selection guidance based on your SWaP and interference environment

• Detailed datasheets and Q&A documents for engineering evaluation

• Price/specification sheets with clear breakpoints for samples and volume orders

By combining robust anti-jamming performance with civil-friendly integration, CRPA antennas can help your systems stay reliably navigated in an increasingly noisy RF world.