CSI Wireless awarded vehicle antenna patent
CSI Wireless Inc. has been awarded a patent for its antenna splitter technology for the automotive market. Initially submitted for patent protection in early 2000, the AVL-1 antenna signal splitter uses a vehicle’s standard AM/FM radio antenna to receive accuracy-enhancing differential GPS signals.
CSI’s differential GPS technology enables users to improve their location accuracy to within one to five metres – substantially better than the 20-metre accuracy that is typically available from standard GPS, the company says.
Automotive manufacturers like the enhanced accuracy of differential GPS, but they have struggled with its extra costs, and with the fact it requires an additional antenna on the vehicle.
CSI Wireless’ AVL-1 signal splitter uses the vehicle’s existing AM/FM car antenna – eliminating the need for another antenna. The AVL-1 enables a standard AM/FM antenna to interface with CSI Wireless’ 300 kHz beacon differential technology. The splitter effectively inserts itself between the vehicle’s antenna and the radio, with a connector to one of CSI Wireless’ receivers.
