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The efficiency of several Microstrip (Patch) antennas with varying substrate heights etched on a substrate material with a relatively high dielectric constant was calculated from gain measurement data. The radiation efficiency of a 4, 5, 6 and 7mm thick patches were measured to be 0.8887, 0.9097, 0.9163 and 0.9202, respectively. The efficiency of a λ/4 monopole at the same frequency was measured to be 0.9389. To achieve a -2.0 dBi of gain at an elevation angle θ = 90° and a +2 dBic at elevation angles between 30° and 70° for the XM signal reception, the patch efficiency has to exceed the efficiency of a λ/4 monopole at the same frequency.

During 2001, vehicle owners will subscribe to new services provided by Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. and XM Radio, Inc., who offer coast to coast, digital quality radio programming via satellite. Vehicles will be equipped with a unique reception system (receiver and antenna), initially dealer installed or purchased in the retail aftermarket, but shortly available as original equipment from vehicle manufacturers. The introduction and application of this new technology in a relatively short timeframe poses special challenges to service providers, vehicle manufacturers and system suppliers in terms of measuring, evaluating and validating the quality of broadcasts and the performance of system components under various critical conditions. This paper presents an innovative method for simultaneously recording satellite reception characteristics under those conditions and for evaluating reception quality in a repeatable and documented manner

The development of the mobile SDARS (Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service) dual function (satellite and terrestrial) antenna has been focused on a design, that is both spec compliant and esthetically pleasing, which has the capability of being mass-produced in the automotive industry. Numerous antenna concepts have been evaluated and tested in this development process. The results of the evaluation study along with the detailed design and performance (both measured and simulated) of a current production antenna (patent pending) will be presented.