Ceramic GPS / GNSS patch antennas
Ceramic GPS Patch Antennas: RHCP GNSS Options
Rftech supplies passive ceramic GPS antennas and RHCP GNSS patch antennas for embedded receivers, asset trackers, timing equipment, RTK hardware, and compact positioning products. For cable-connected or remotely mounted designs, we also support active GPS antenna assemblies with LNA, cable, and connector options. Most GPS patch antennas use RHCP, or right-hand circular polarization, so this page combines product selection with practical RHCP engineering notes.
Ceramic GPS Patch Antenna Product Shortlist
The main product list below is limited to ceramic patch antenna products and patch-module style options. External GPS antennas may contain an internal patch element, but they are handled separately from the patch shortlist.
Ceramic patch
GL-DYS2501 GPS/GNSS Ceramic Patch Antenna
GPS 1575.42 MHz ceramic patch antenna for GNSS receiver boards and embedded positioning devices.
Large patch option
GL-DYS2502 GPS/GNSS Ceramic Patch Antenna
Ceramic GPS/GNSS patch option for projects where board area allows a larger receiving element.
GPS + GLONASS
GL2504 GPS / GLONASS Ceramic Patch Antenna
Ceramic patch antenna covering GPS 1575.42 MHz and GLONASS 1602 MHz receiver needs.
GNSS patch
GLS2502XCT GPS/GNSS Ceramic Patch Antenna
GPS/GNSS ceramic patch antenna for embedded modules and compact RF assemblies.
Patch module
GLXCT2504 GPS/GNSS Ceramic Patch Antenna
Ceramic patch antenna option for receiver boards that need GPS/GNSS patch selection support.
25 mm class
GL-DYS25 GPS Ceramic Patch Antenna
25 mm class GPS ceramic patch antenna for GNSS modules, trackers, and positioning hardware.
Compact patch
GL-DYS18N4 GPS/GNSS Ceramic Patch Antenna
Compact GPS/GNSS ceramic patch antenna for space-constrained embedded receiver layouts.
Ceramic GPS
GLS2503 GPS Ceramic Patch Antenna
GPS ceramic patch antenna option for GNSS modules and RF antenna sourcing projects.
Choose the Patch Around Your Receiver and Enclosure
A GPS patch antenna is not selected by frequency alone. The best match depends on the GNSS receiver input, available board area, ground-plane size, antenna orientation, cable route, enclosure material, and the accuracy target of the device.
- For an embedded GNSS module with a short RF path, start with a passive ceramic patch placed close to the receiver input.
- For a remote antenna position, long cable, roof mount, or sealed enclosure, use an active GPS/GNSS antenna assembly with the right LNA, cable, and connector.
- For RTK, tracking device, timing, or high-stability positioning, confirm RHCP gain, axial ratio, ground-plane conditions, and final mounting before locking the antenna.
Send these details for a faster match: receiver/module model, required constellations and bands, maximum patch size, available ground plane, passive or active input, cable length, connector, enclosure material, mounting position, sample quantity, and target application.
Selection Checklist
| Selection point | What to confirm before sampling |
|---|---|
| Constellation and band | Confirm whether the design needs GPS L1, GLONASS G1, Galileo E1, BeiDou B1, or a wider GNSS band. Do not assume one patch covers every constellation without checking the model. |
| Patch size | 25 mm class patches are a common starting point for performance and cost. Smaller patches save space but usually give up aperture, bandwidth, and margin. |
| Ground plane | Reserve a stable, symmetric ground plane where possible. Many GNSS patch designs use roughly 50 x 50 mm to 70 x 70 mm as a practical starting range, but the final PCB and enclosure should be checked. |
| Placement and sky view | Mount the patch with its plane facing the sky. Keep metal, batteries, displays, cables, and high-speed lines away from the patch area when the enclosure allows it. |
| Passive or active path | Use passive patch products for short, controlled RF layouts. Choose an active assembly when cable loss, remote mounting, or receiver sensitivity requires an LNA and bias power. |
| Accuracy target | Trackers and navigation devices may prioritize size and cost. RTK, tracking device, timing, and precision GNSS projects should review RHCP performance, axial ratio, and multipath environment more carefully. |
Need to check RF margin? Before choosing the final patch size, use the patch antenna gain guide to review signal margin, ground plane influence, and pattern trade-offs. If the receiver must cover wider GNSS bands or multiple constellations, compare the requirement with the patch antenna bandwidth guide before sampling.
GNSS integration
Need help choosing a GNSS or patch antenna?
Tell us your device size, ground plane, constellation, cable and mounting requirements. We can help match active, passive or embedded GNSS antenna options.
Finished Active GPS/GNSS Antennas
If your project needs a housing, magnet mount, adhesive mount, cable, connector, or LNA, Rftech can also help select a finished active GPS/GNSS antenna assembly. Those products should be quoted as external GPS/GNSS antennas, not mixed into the ceramic patch shortlist.
Related Product Guides
FAQ
Which GPS patch antenna should I choose for my GNSS module?
Start with the receiver datasheet and the space available in your product. For most embedded GPS/GNSS boards, choose the largest ceramic patch the enclosure can support, then confirm frequency, impedance, ground-plane requirements, and whether the receiver expects a passive or active antenna.
Is a 25 mm GPS patch better than an 18 mm patch?
A 25 mm class patch is often a stronger starting point when board space is available. An 18 mm class patch can work well in compact trackers and handheld devices, but smaller patches usually have less aperture and less margin, so placement and ground plane become more important.
Do I need a passive patch or an active GPS antenna?
Use a passive ceramic patch when the antenna sits close to the GNSS receiver and the RF layout is controlled. Use an active GPS patch or active GPS/GNSS antenna when the antenna is mounted away from the receiver, when a coax cable is needed, or when the receiver design requires LNA gain and antenna bias power. When sourcing a patch antenna for GPS or for tracking devices, confirm whether the receiver expects a passive ceramic element or an active assembly with bias power.
How much ground plane does a GPS patch antenna need?
The exact requirement depends on the patch and the final product layout. As a practical starting point, many ceramic GNSS patch designs benefit from a symmetric ground plane around 50 x 50 mm to 70 x 70 mm. The patch should be tested on the real PCB and enclosure because batteries, metal, displays, and cables can detune it.
Can one ceramic patch support GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou?
It depends on the patch bandwidth and tuning. Some models are intended for GPS L1 only, while others support GPS/GNSS frequency ranges that include GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou bands. Confirm the required bands before ordering samples.
What should I include in a sample or datasheet request?
Send the GNSS receiver model, required bands, patch size limit, available ground plane, passive or active requirement, cable length, connector, enclosure material, mounting position, expected quantity, and target application. That information makes the first product match much more accurate.
Related GPS/GNSS Antenna Options
For cable-connected GNSS assemblies, compare the GL-DY006F Fakra C GPS/GNSS antenna, GL-DY006P Green Pioneer GPS/GNSS antenna, and GL-DY008L 1568 ±3 MHz GPS/GNSS antenna. For compact module layouts, review GL046-25 IPEX GPS/GNSS antenna, GL0616060001 U.FL GPS/GNSS antenna, and GLSY103 B1/L1/G1/E1 SMA GPS/GNSS antenna.
