Trimble Geodetic Antennas–

A solution for every application

GNSS GEODETIC
ANTENNAS
The choice is yours. Trimble provides two GNSS antennas for geodetic applications.
Both solutions deliver long term performance with proven accuracy and reliability.
No matter what your needs are, Trimble has an antenna that will work for you.

Trimble GNSS Choke Ring Antenna Zephyr Geodetic 2 GNSS ANTENNA

Minimum tracking elevation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Degrees Minimum tracking elevation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Degrees
Practical tracking elevation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <5 Degrees Practical tracking elevation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <3 Degrees
Supported positioning signal bands. . . . . . . . . . . L1/L2/L5/G1/G2/G3/E1/E2/ Supported positioning signal bands. . . . . . . . . . . L1/L2/L5/G1/G2/G3/E1/E2/
E5ab/E6/Compass E5ab/E6/Compass
Supported SBAS signal bands. . . . . . . . . . . . WAAS, EGNOS, QZSS, Gagan, Supported SBAS signal bands. . . . . . . . . . . . WAAS, EGNOS, QZSS, Gagan,
MSAS, OmniStar MSAS, OmniStar
Phase-center accuracy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 mm or better Phase-center accuracy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 mm or better
Phase-center repeatability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <1 mm Phase-center repeatability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <1 mm
Maximum phase-center eccentricity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 mm Maximum phase-center eccentricity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 mm
Antenna gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 dB ±2dB Antenna gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 dB ±2 dB
LNA features. . . . . . . . . . . . . Advanced filtering to reduce interference by LNA features. . . . . . . . . . . . . Advanced filtering to reduce interference by
high power out-of-band transmitters high power out-of-band transmitters
LNA signal margin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 dB LNA signal margin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 dB
Supply voltage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5 V DC to 20 V DC Supply voltage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5 V DC to 20 V DC
Supply current (maximum) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 mA Supply current (maximum) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 mA
Power consumption (maximum). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440 mW Power consumption (maximum). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440 mW
Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 cm diameter x 14 cm height Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.3 cm diameter x 7.6 cm height
15 in diameter x 5.5 in height 13.5 in diameter x 3 in height
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.36 kg (3 lb)
Element type . . . . . . . . . Phase-ripple-tested Dorne & Margolin AIL C-146 Element type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dual four-point-feed patch
Polarization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Right-hand circular Polarization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Enhanced right-hand circular
Axial ratio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 dB at Zenith Axial ratio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 dB at Zenith
Voltage Standing Wave Ratio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 maximum Voltage Standing Wave Ratio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 maximum
Left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 dB minimum LHCP rejection at boresight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 dB minimum
RoHS compliant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No RoHS compliant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes
Multipath mitigation technologies. . . LHCP rejection and 1/4 wave choke Multipath mitigation technologies. . . . . . . . . LHCP rejection and resistive
ring ground plane ground plane
Ground plane design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JPL designed 1/4 wave choke ring Ground plane design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trimble Stealth resistive
Coaxial connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N Female Coaxial connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TNC Female
External radome required. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59314 available External radome not required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46291-00 available
NGS model available. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes NGS model available. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes
NGS model with radome available. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes NGS model with radome available. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes
Shock rating. . . . . Demonstrated to survive a repeated 1 m (3.28 ft) drop Shock rating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MILSTD-810-F to survive a 2 m (6.56 ft)
onto plywood over concrete (all edges) drop onto concrete
Vibration rating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.3 GRMS, random vibration profile; Vibration rating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MIL-STD-810-F
Z axis only on each axis
Humidity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100% humidity proof, fully sealed Humidity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100% humidity proof, fully sealed
Temperature Temperature
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –40 ˚C to 70 ˚C (–40 ˚F to 158 ˚F) Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –40 °C to 70 °C (–40 °F to 158 °F)
Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –40 ˚C to 70 ˚C (–40 ˚F to 158 ˚F) Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –40 °C to 70 °C (–40 °F to 158 °F)
Mounting thread. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/8"–11 8.546Female
cm Mounting thread. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/8"–11 Female

11.00 cm
8.546 cm

Phase-center offset Phase-center offset

11.00 cm
Trimble geodetic antennas mitigate multipath in different ways. Both provide
the accuracy and performance required for the most rigorous applications.

TRIMBLE gnss GEODETIC ANTENNAS—

NOW YOU HAVE A CHOICE
TWO PROVEN ANTENNAS TO ACHIEVE GEODETIC ACCURACY AND
LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE

Critical to the value of any GNSS network are the antennas that keep constant
watch on GNSS satellite signals. Trimble geodetic antennas provide network
operators with the assurance of long-term operation and unsurpassed
performance.

Trimble offers two styles of antennas designed for geodetic applications—the

Trimble Zephyr Geodetic 2 Antenna and the Trimble GNSS Choke Ring Antenna.
Both options are proven to deliver the exacting performance that network
operators demand to ensure long-term success. In addition, two unique antenna
designs provide the flexibility to reach a wide range of operational goals.

Trimble GNSS Choke Ring Antenna Trimble Zephyr Geodetic 2 Antenna

SETTING THE GEODETIC STANDARD

All Trimble GNSS geodetic antennas conform to strict standards of consistency and
performance to deliver the best possible low elevation tracking.

Trimble geodetic antennas meet or exceed phase-center eccentricity standards of

2 mm, and offer industry-leading multipath mitigation. Trimble’s geodetic-quality
antennas maximize positioning performance and consistency through tightly-
controlled manufacturing practices, extensive testing and innovative engineering.

WHICH ANTENNA IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

The choice of what kind of antenna you ultimately choose is driven by your operational needs. Depending upon your
priorities, it may become clear that one antenna style is a better fit for your particular application. For example, are you
running a network or performing a geodetic campaign? Does an external organization dictate the antenna style that you
must use? Are size and weight important considerations for installation or long-term deployment? Although there are many
different factors to consider and evaluate before making this important decision, Trimble has a solution that will meet your
precise needs.
TRIMBLE GNSS CHOKE RING ANTENNA TRIMBLE ZEPHYR GEODETIC 2 ANTENNA
Originally conceived in the mid 1980s, the choke ring’s ground In the years following the launch of the choke ring antenna,
plane has been widely adopted by the scientific community . The Trimble developed an alternative means to achieving geodetic-
Trimble GNSS choke ring ground plane uses the Jet Propulsion quality results . Design goals included increasing accuracy and
Labs (JPL) design, which is considered the standard of scientific eliminating the frequency-dependent ground plane design . First
geodetic antenna ground planes . In addition to updating the produced in 2001, the GPS-capable Trimble Zephyr Geodetic
electronics to improve low-noise amplification and GNSS tracking, antenna is the high-performance result of these efforts .
Trimble has modernized the GNSS choke ring antenna so that it
can track all existing and proposed public GNSS constellations . Then, in 2006, Trimble released the next generation with the
These include GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and Compass . GNSS-capable Zephyr Geodetic 2 antenna . Consistently delivering
phase-center eccentricities of less than 1 mm, the Zephyr
The Trimble GNSS Choke Ring antenna includes a Trimble- Geodetic 2 antenna’s performance guarantees that even in a
exclusive Dorne & Margolin quad-dipole element . A standard by large network, all stations will be capable of delivering accurate,
which all other geodetic antennas are judged, the D & M element repeatable measurements . This is not the only advanced feature
serves as the control in published relative antenna models . The of the Trimble Zephyr Geodetic 2 antenna—it also offers the
design is also proven to offer excellent long term stability . unique Trimble Stealth™ ground plane . This resistive ground
plane consumes unwanted signals before they can reach the
To ensure the best possible performance, Trimble requires that receiving element and corrupt measurements . This modern, high-
the element manufacturer conduct supplemental performance technology approach to multipath mitigation is more compact
testing and provide proof of passing on all Trimble GNSS Choke than the original choke ring design and allows for the use of an
Ring antenna elements . As a final step to guarantee geodetic integrated, low-profile radome over the entire antenna element
performance, all assembled choke ring antennas undergo and ground plane assembly . The Trimble Zephyr Geodetic 2
additional Trimble-exclusive precision rotation testing to verify a antenna’s design reduces wind loading and antenna weight
phase-center eccentricity of no more than 2 mm . Every Trimble so that a lighter mounting structure can offer geodetic-quality
GNSS Choke Ring antenna comes with a certificate displaying the results while minimizing environmental impact .
rotation test results specific to that antenna .
Yet another benefit of the Stealth ground plane is its frequency-
independent performance . It mitigates unwanted signals
throughout the rapidly-expanding GNSS spectrum .

The Trimble Zephyr Geodetic 2 antenna is designed to receive

all existing and proposed public GNSS signals, including GPS,
GLONASS, Galileo and Compass . In addition, these antennas are
used in the highest-accuracy IGS reference frame networks where
only the best possible long-term performance is accepted .

Proper Antenna Placement

Geodetic antennas are designed to provide accurate

measurements even in imperfect conditions, but this does not
mean that a geodetic antenna will give peak performance
no matter where it is deployed . Therefore, selecting the best
possible location for a reference antenna is very important
because the measurements will be relied upon for many years .
 trimble GNSS Geodetic ANteNNAS

MANAGING MULTIPATH

The extended ground plane of a geodetic antenna is choke ring antenna reflects signals that come from below .
intended to stop all multipath signals that come from For signals that would otherwise be captured as surface
near or below the horizon . These unwanted signals often waves, the choke ring draws these signals into the choke
reflect off of more than one surface and many have right- channels where they repeatedly reflect and encounter other
hand circular polarization (RHCP) characteristics that the reflected signals until they lose all energy or are reflected
antenna will readily accept . With a conventional metal disk away from the receiving element .
ground plane, unwanted signals can actually strike the top
The Trimble Stealth ground plane uses electrical resistance
of the ground plane, or its edge, at a shallow angle . Those
rather than frequency-tuned rings to keep unwanted
signals then propagate along the surface of the plane and
signals from reaching the antenna element . With its
are easily conducted directly into the receiving element .
resistive ground plane, signals that strike the plane from
This is called a surface wave . An effective geodetic ground
any direction are drawn into the Stealth plane . Here, they
plane must block below-horizon signals from entering the
encounter increasing electrical resistance, which rapidly
element while also prohibiting surface waves .
converts their radio energy into tiny amounts of harmless
Trimble’s JPL-designed choke ring and Stealth ground planes heat . The signals lose all energy before they can reach the
both accomplish these tasks, but in very different ways . The element and cause interference .

GROUND PLANES AND

MULTIPATH SIGNALS
• Signals striking at shallow angles
attempt to create surface waves

• Signals from below the horizon

must be eliminated
1) Choke Ring weakens multipath signals 2) Zephyr Geodetic 2 consumes multipath signals

Desirable signals are shown in green; undesirable signals are shown in red .

The following are very basic requirements for an antenna • The antenna sky view should be clear to the horizon
installation . Note that some governing bodies require within a 100 m radius to reduce multipath signal
significant additional features in an antenna monument interference .
and its location . • The antenna should be a minimum of 1 .5 m above nearby
signal reflectors to reduce multipath signal interference .
• The antenna mount must be stable in changing weather
• There should not be any high-power transmitting
conditions and temperatures . By definition, a reference
antennas within 300 m to prevent RF interference .
antenna should not move .
 NORTH AMERICA
Trimble Engineering and
Construction Group
5475 Kellenburger Road
Dayton, Ohio 45424-1099
USA
800-538-7800 (Toll Free)
+1-937-245-5154 Phone
+1-937-233-9441 Fax

EUROPE
Trimble GmbH
Am Prime Parc 11
65479 Raunheim
GERMANY
+49-6142-2100-0 Phone
+49-6142-2100-550 Fax

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Trimble Export Middle-East
P.O. Box 17760
Jebel Ali Free Zone
Dubai
UAE
+971-4-881-3005 Phone
+971-4-881-3007 Fax

ASIA-PACIFIC
Trimble Navigation
Singapore PTE Limited
80 Marine Parade Road
#22-06, Parkway Parade
Singapore 449269
SINGAPORE
+65-6348-2212 Phone
+65-6348-2232 Fax

CHINA
Trimble Beijing
Room 2602-05
Tengda Plaza
No. 168 Xiwai Street
Haidian District, Beijing
www .trimble .com CHINA 100044
+86-10-8857-7575 Phone
© 2008, Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved. Trimble and the Globe & Triangle logo are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited,
+86-10-8857-7161 Fax
registered in the United States and in other countries. Stealth, Zephyr, and Zephyr Geodetic are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners. PN 022543-429 (04/08) www.trimble.com.cn