APN-003 Rev 3 August 15, 2007
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RF Equipment Selection and Installation
Overview
NovAtel offers GPS antennas and cables tailored for use with the OEM4, OEMV, and SSII
families of GPS receivers. These accessories provide for both easy installation and optimal
operation. However, as the receivers are designed to meet the needs of a wide range of
applications, the use of non-NovAtel accessories or a unique installation may be desired. This
application note provides information on the standard NovAtel configuration, as well as
recommendations for meeting the receiver’s RF input requirements in special cases. In addition,
information on obtaining the equipment required for such cases is given.
Legend
A variety of symbols are used in this application note to depict equipment configurations and
characteristics. The meaning of each symbol is given below.
Table 1 – Legend
Symbol Description
or
A connection between two pieces of equipment, either directly
or through an adapter.
Circuitry that blocks DC power but allows RF signals to pass.
Circuitry that allows DC power to pass but blocks RF signals.
Current-limiting circuitry, such as a fuse.
1 Receiver Requirements
NovAtel’s OEM4, OEMV and SSII families of GPS receivers support an RF input signal range
of +15 dB to +35 dB, with +20 dB being an ideal nominal target, and the example used
throughout this application note.
NovAtel sells a variety of RF cables ranging in length from 8.5 cm to 30 meters. The following
table shows the typical signal power loss of these RF cables in dB:
Table 2 – NovAtel RF Cable Loss Figures
RF Cable Part Number L1 (1575.42 MHz) L2 (1227.60 MHz)
01017278
8.5 cm MMCX to TNC
-0.29 dB -0.28 dB
01016772
22.5 cm MMCX to TNC
-0.35 dB -0.32 dB
GPS-C006
5 m TNC to TNC
-3.28 dB -2.85 dB
GPS-C016
15 m TNC to TNC
-10.2 dB -8.80 dB
GPS-C032
30 m plus TNC pigtail cables
-11.3 dB -10.3 dB
2 Standard Installation using NovAtel Equipment
Using NovAtel’s GPS antennas and coaxial cables, the GPS receiver’s requirement for +15 dB
to +35 dB gain from the antenna, including the antenna element, LNA and cable at its RF input
is easily met. All NovAtel GPS antennas employ a built-in, low-noise amplifier (LNA), which
typically provides +25 to +35 dB of gain to the GPS satellite signal. The power to the antenna
LNA is provided through the center conductor of the receiver’s RF port. Figure 1 shows a
standard antenna cable configuration using NovAtel’s 15 meter, ~10 dB loss RF cable and a GPS
antenna with a +30 dB gain LNA.
Figure 1 – Standard NovAtel RF Equipment Configuration
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3 Special Cases
For a specialized application or custom installation, GPS antennas and coaxial cables other than
those offered by NovAtel may be preferred. In these cases, extra care must be taken to ensure the
RF equipment being used meets the receiver’s RF input signal range requirements. The sections
that follow provide recommendations for special cases that may occur with the use of non-
NovAtel accessories, as highlighted in Table 3.
Table 3 – Special Cases
Case Related Section
The combined gain of the RF equipment is lower than 15 dB:
GAIN
ANTENNA
- LOSS
CABLE
- LOSS
OTHER
< 15 dB
Section 3.1, Low Input Gain below
The combined gain of the RF equipment is higher than 35 dB:
GAIN
ANTENNA
- LOSS
CABLE
- LOSS
OTHER
> 35 dB
Section 3.2, High Input Gain on page 7
The combined current draw of the RF equipment is higher than
100 mA:
I
ANTENNA
+ I
OTHER
> 100 mA
Section 3.3, Insufficient Current
Available on page 8
The antenna requires an input voltage other than +5.0 VDC.
Section 3.4, Different Voltage
Required on page 8
A single antenna must supply a GPS RF signal to multiple
receivers.
Section 3.5, Single Antenna Supplying
Multiple Receivers on page 9
The cables available are not long enough.
Section 3.6, Insufficient Cable Length
on page 11
3.1 Low Input Gain
If the cable loss reduces the LNA gain provided by the selected antenna to less than 15 dB, a
low-noise amplifier must be added “in-line” between the antenna and the receiver. The in-line
amplifier must provide sufficient gain to ensure the RF input signal to the receiver is provided
within the range of +15 dB to +35 dB, with +20 dB being a good target for which to aim. The in-
line amplifier should be installed as close to the GPS antenna as possible to ensure the GPS
signal is amplified when the signal to noise ratio is at its highest. Depending on the power
requirements of the amplifier, the configuration of the RF equipment will vary, as shown in
Table 4.
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Table 4 – Solutions for Low Input Gain based on RF Equipment Power Requirements
Input Voltage
Total
Current
Draw
(See Section
3.1 1. )
Solution
Additional Equipment
Required
< 100 mA
Connect the in-line amplifier directly to the
receiver, as shown in Section 3.1.3.1 on
page 5.
• In-line amplifier
The antenna LNA and
in-line amplifier both
accept +5.0 VDC.
> 100 mA
Add a power supply for the in-line amplifier
and a bias-T to inject the supply in the RF
line, as shown in Section 3.1.3.2 on page 5.
• In-line amplifier
• External power supply
• Bias-T
< 100 mA
Connect the in-line amplifier directly to the
receiver, as shown in Section 3.1.3.1 on
page 5, and connect an external power
supply through the receiver, as shown in
Section 3.4 on page 8. This solution is valid
only for the OEM4-G2, OEM4, Euro4,
OEMV-1, OEMV-3, and SSII GPS cards.
Use the solution provided in Section 3.1.3.2
on page 5 for other receivers.
• In-line amplifier
• External power supply
• SSII = 40 mA max
• OEMx = 100 mA max
Both the antenna LNA
and the in-line
amplifier require a
supply voltage other
than +5.0 VDC but they
both accept the same
input voltage.
> 100 mA
Add a power supply and a bias-T to inject
the supply in the RF line, as shown in
Section 3.1.3.2 on page 5.
• In-line amplifier
• External power supply
• Bias-T
The antenna LNA and
in-line amplifier require
different input voltages.
Any
Add a power supply for the in-line
amplifier, a supply for the antenna, and a
bias-T, as shown in Section 3.1.3.3 on page
6.
• In-line amplifier
• External power supply
• Bias-T
3.1.1 Current Requirement
As shown in Table 4, the total amount of current required by the in-line amplifier and the GPS
antenna LNA is a factor when determining how to set up the RF equipment. Most NovAtel
OEM4, OEMV, and SSII family GPS receivers can provide up to 100 mA at +5.0 VDC on the
center conductor of the RF port, although there are a few exceptions; please refer to sections 3.3
and 3.4 of this document for more detail about this. Therefore, if the combined current draw of
all the RF equipment connected to the port, including the in-line amplifier, is less than 100 mA,
the receiver can supply the power.
For example, if the selected antenna’s LNA requires 50 mA and there is no other equipment
between the antenna and the receiver that draws current, an in-line amplifier that draws 10 mA
can be used without the addition of an external supply. An exception is the SSII, which can only
source 40 mA maximum instead of 100 mA.
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3.1.2 Amplification Requirement
Select an in-line amplifier that increases the signal gain by the amount necessary to result in an
overall gain of +20 dB, as shown in the formula below. Be sure to take into account the loss
created by any additional equipment being used with the in-line amplifier, such as bias-Ts.
AMPLIFICATION = 20 dB + LOSS
CABLE
+ LOSS
OTHER
- GAIN
ANTENNA
For example, if the selected antenna LNA provides +30 dB gain and the cable has a loss of -20
dB, then +10 dB amplification must be added.
3.1.3 Solutions
As discussed previously, the installation of the in-line amplifier depends upon its power
requirements. The sections that follow describe the various installation solutions as previously
highlighted in Table 4. See Section 4 on page 13 for more information on suppliers of in-line
amplifiers and bias-Ts.
3.1.3.1 In-Line Amplifier Powered by the Receiver
If the RF equipment draws a total of less than 100 mA, as described in Section 3.1.1 on page 4,
the antenna LNA and in-line amplifier both accept a +5.0 VDC supply, and the inline amplifier
is capable of passing the DC power from the receiver, then the equipment can be connected
directly to the receiver without the need for an external power supply. Figure 2 illustrates this
configuration.
Figure 2 – In-Line Amplifier Powered by the Receiver
NovAtel
receiver
G
P
S
antenna
+5.0 VDC
RF
1
Most GPS antenna LNAs safely operate with +5.0 VDC input voltage.
1
Antenna cable
2
2
The in-line amplifer is powered by the +5.0 VDC provided by the receiver. The
in-line am
p
lifier is shunt-fed, which allows the DC
p
ower to continue to the antenna
.
In-line
amplifier
3.1.3.2 In-Line Amplifier Powered from an External Power Supply
Figure 3 illustrates an in-line amplifier that requires an external power source because the 100
mA provided by the receiver is not enough current. The in-line amplifier is powered directly via
the bias-T and coaxial cable, with the DC power continuing on to the GPS antenna LNA. The
bias-T should include circuitry to prevent DC power from being fed back to the receiver and the
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ANTENNAPOWER OFF command
1
must be issued to disable the GPS receiver’s internal LNA
power supply
2
.
Figure 3 – In-Line Amplifier Powered by an External Supply
N
ov
A
te
l
receiver
GPS
antenna
+5.0 VDC
RF
1
1
Antenna cable
In-line
amplifier
2
2
The in-line amplifier operates from power supplied via the coaxial cable center conductor and is
shunt-fed, which allows the DC power to continue down the coaxial line to the antenna.
Bias-T
External
power supply
200 mA
fuse
+5.0 VDC
GND
3
3
The fusing and power supply requirements depend on the in-line amplifier and antenna.
200 mA and +5.0 VDC are examples shown for illustration purposes only.
The command must be issued to the receiver to disable
internal LNA
the receiver’s
ower out
ut.
ANTENNAPOWER OFF
3.1.3.3 In-Line Amplifier and Antenna Powered by Separate Supplies
Figure 4 illustrates a more complicated solution using an in-line amplifier that requires a power
source that differs from that required by the antenna. The bias-T should include circuitry to
prevent DC power from being fed back and the ANTENNAPOWER OFF command
1
must be
issued to disable the receiver’s internal LNA power supply. Since the bias-T is not placed
between the in-line amplifier and the receiver, DC blocking circuitry must be added between the
two
2
1
The ANTENNAPOWER command is not valid for OEMV-1, SSII and V1/SSII based FlexPaks. For OEMV1 and
SSII, remove the DC power input on pin #1 to disable antenna power. Antenna power cannot be disabled on
FlexPak enclosures.
2
Proper fusing or current limiting should be incorporated in the external power supply line.
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Figure 4 – In-Line Amplifier and Antenna Powered by Separate Supplies
NovAtel
receiver
GPS
antenna
+5.0 VDC
RF
1
Circuitry to block DC power from feeding back to the receiver is required.
1
Antenna cable
In-line
amplifier
2
2
The current and voltage requirements of your antenna and in-line amplifier may vary. The fuses
and suppl
y
volta
g
es shown are for illustration purposes onl
y
.
Bias-T
External
power suppl
y
100 mA
fuse
+15.0 VDC
GND
+5.0 VDC
100 mA
fuse
The command must be issued to the receiver to disable the receiver’s
internal LNA power output.
ANTENNAPOWER OFF
3
3
3.2 High Input Gain
If the antenna LNA gain exceeds the cable loss by more than +35 dB, the RF signal must be
attenuated before reaching the receiver, as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5 – In-Line Attenuator
3.2.1 Attenuation Requirement
In this example, we will select an in-line attenuator that reduces the signal by the amount
necessary to result in an overall gain of +20 dB, as shown in the formula below. Be sure to take
into account the loss created by any additional equipment being used with the attenuator. Install
the attenuator as close to the receiver as possible to avoid adding extra noise to the GPS signal.
ATTENUATION = GAIN
ANTENNA
– LOSS
CABLE
– LOSS
OTHER
– 20 dB
For example, if the selected antenna LNA provides +40 dB gain and the cable has a loss of -10
dB, a -10 dB attenuator can be added. See Section 4 on page 13 for more information on in-line
attenuator suppliers.
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3.3 Insufficient Current Available
Most NovAtel OEM4 and OEMV family receivers provide up to 100 mA from their RF ports;
two exceptions are the OEMV-1 and SSII GPS cards, which provide no LNA power unless
external power is applied to pin#1 (see section 3.4 for more detail). If the OEMV-1 or SSII is
housed within the FlexPak enclosure, pin#1 is already connected to external power inside the
FlexPak, and so the TNC connector on the FlexPak-V1 or FlexPak-SSII will have +5.0 VDC
LNA power output on the center conductor by default; the FlexPak-V1 can source up to 100 mA,
and the FlexPak-SSII can source up to 40 mA. In cases where the RF equipment connected to the
RF port consumes more than this amount, an external power supply and bias-T must be added to
the installation. The bias-T should include circuitry to prevent DC power from being fed back to
the receiver and the ANTENNAPOWER OFF command must be issued to disable the receiver’s
internal LNA power supply. A simple installation with an antenna LNA that requires more than
100 mA is shown in Figure 6:
Figure 6 – External Power Supply to Meet Current Requirements
N
ov
A
te
l
receiver
G
P
S
antenna
+5.0 VDC
RF
1
1
Antenna cable
Bias-T
The current and voltage requirements of your RF
equipment may vary. The 200 mA fuse and
+5.0 VDC supply are for illustration purposes only.
External
power supply
200 mA
fuse
+5.0 VDC
GND
The command must be
issued to the receiver to disable the receiver’s
internal LNA power output.
ANTENNAPOWER OFF
2
2
3.4 Different Voltage Required (OEM4-G2, OEM4, Euro4, OEMV-1, OEMV-3, and
SSII Only)
By default, all OEM4 and OEMV (except OEMV-1 and SSII) family receivers output +5.0 VDC
and up to 100 mA on the center conductor of their RF port to supply power to an active antenna
LNA. If the receiver is an OEM4-G2, OEM4, Euro4, OEMV-1, OEMV-3, or SSII GPSCard, a
convenient method for supplying the antenna with a different voltage is available. By using the
external LNA power input pin and the ANTENNAPOWER command, an external source can be
used to power the antenna LNA via the receiver, as shown in Figure 7. However, this method is
acceptable only if the current draw of the RF equipment is less than 100 mA. If this is not the
case or if the receiver is not an OEM4-G2, OEM4, Euro4, OEMV1, OEMV-3, or SSII the
configuration described in Section 3.3 must be used
2
.
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Figure 7 – Antenna Powered through the Receiver by External Supply
NovAtel
receiver
G
P
S
antenna
RF
1
1
Antenna cable
2
2
External
power supply
100 mA
fuse
+12.0 VDC
The supply voltage depends on the requirement of
the antenna. +12.0 VDC is shown for illustration
purposes only.
The command must be
issued to the receiver to disable the receiver’s
internal LNA power output.
ANTENNAPOWER OFF
To create this configuration, first connect an external DC power source to the LNA power input
pin. The pin number and voltage requirements for the external LNA power input are given in
Table 5 for each receiver type
3
.
Table 5 – External LNA Power for GPSCards
Receiver
External LNA Power
Input Pin
Voltage Input Range
Current Available
from the RF port
OEM4-G2 40 +12 to +30 VDC 100 mA
OEM4-G2L Not Available n/a n/a
OEM4 40 +12 to +30 VDC 100 mA
Euro4 B4 +12 to +30 VDC 100 mA
OEMV-1 1 +5.5 to +16 VDC 100 mA
OEMV-2 Not Available n/a n/a
OEMV-3 40 +5.5 to +18 VDC 100 mA
SSII 1 +5.0 to +18 VDC 40 mA
Then, issue the ANTENNAPOWER OFF command
4
to the receiver to disable the receiver’s RF
port power output. The externally supplied power will now be available at the receiver’s RF port
to power the antenna.
3.5 Single Antenna Supplying Multiple Receivers
If a single antenna is to be connected to multiple receivers, a splitter must be inserted between
the antenna and the receivers. Figure 8 illustrates a typical setup using a splitter to provide two
receivers with the GPS signal. The splitter is designed so that one of the receivers provides
power to the antenna while the other is blocked so no DC power passes from it to the antenna or
back to the first receiver.
3
This option is not available on OEM4-G2L or OEMV-2 GPS receivers.
4
The ANTENNAPOWER command is not valid for OEMV-1, SSII and V1/SSII based FlexPaks. For OEMV1 and
SSII, remove the DC power input on pin #1 to disable antenna power. Antenna power cannot be disabled on
FlexPak enclosures.
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Figure 8 – Single Antenna to Multiple Receivers
NovAtel
receiver
GPS
antenna
+5.0 VDC
RF
1
Most GPS antenna LNAs safely operate with +5.0 VDC input voltage.
1
Antenna cable
2
The splitter allows DC power from the top receiver to feed the antenna. It prevents DC
power from the bottom receiver from moving to the antenna or back to the top receiver.
NovAtel
receiver
+5.0 VDC
RF
Antenna cable
Splitter
2
3
The command must be issued to the receiver that is not powering th
e
antenna to disable the receiver’s internal LNA
p
ower out
p
ut.
ANTENNAPOWER OFF
3
If the overall gain at the receiver is less than +15 dB due to the addition of the splitter and any
other equipment introduced, an in-line amplifier must be installed between the antenna LNA and
the splitter, where the signal to noise ratio is at its highest. For example, if the antenna provides
+30 dB of gain, the connection between the antenna and the splitter introduces -5 dB loss, the
splitter adds -5 dB loss and the cable between the splitter and receiver reduces the signal by -10
dB, amplification by at least +5 dB is required to yield the minimum input gain requirement of
+15 dB; to attain a net RF input gain of +20 dB, then +10 dB of amplification would be required.
Figure 9 shows an in-line amplifier requiring an external supply and, therefore, a bias-T. The
bias-T should include circuitry to prevent DC power from being fed back to the receiver and the
ANTENNAPOWER OFF command must be issued to disable the receiver’s internal LNA power
supply. See Section 3.1 starting on page 3 for other installation solutions based on the power
requirements of the in-line amplifier.
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Figure 9 – Single Antenna to Multiple Receivers with In-Line Amplifier
N
ov
A
te
l
receiver
GPS
antenna
+5.0 VDC
RF
1
1
Antenna cable
In-line
amplifier
2
2
Bias-T
External
power supply
200 mA
fuse
+5.0 VDC
GND
The fusing and power supply requirements depend on the in-line amplifer and antenna. 200 mA
and +5.0 VDC are examples shown for illustration purposes onl
y
.
NovAtel
receiver
+5.0 VDC
RF
Antenna cable
Splitter
The command must be issued to each of receivers to disable their
internal LNA power outputs.
ANTENNAPOWER OFF
3.6 Insufficient Cable Length
In some cases, the 30 meter RF cable available from NovAtel is not long enough. There are two
basic methods that facilitate longer antenna cable runs:
1) Selecting specialized low-loss coaxial cables (passive method), or
2) Inserting additional cable lengths and adding in-line, low noise amplifiers between the GPS
antenna, antenna cable, and receiver to keep the net gain at an acceptable level (active
method).
3.6.1 Passive Cable Runs
The passive method of extending the remote location of the GPS antenna is achieved by
selecting a high quality coaxial cable exhibiting low loss over extended lengths, as shown in
Figure 10. Distances of 200 to 300 meters (656 to 984 feet) are possible by this method. The
most important factor in selecting the cable is that its maximum loss over the desired length still
provides for at least +15 dB, and preferably +20 dB of gain at the receiver’s RF input. Section 4
on page 13 provides information on suppliers of low-loss extended cables.
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Figure 10 – Extended Length, Low-Loss Antenna Cable
NovAtel
receiver
G
P
S
antenna
+5.0 VDC
RF
User-supplied extended, low-loss cable
1
The antenna LNA is powered by +5.0 VDC from the receiver via the antenna cable center conductor.
1
Antenna cable
One major disadvantage of specialized low-loss cables for long runs is that typically a larger
diameter cable is required to reduce the signal losses. This in turn means that heavier, more rigid
cable construction is required to manufacture the cable. Weight and flexibility may be a major
factor in the practical limit for the cable length. A sharp rise in the cost per meter accompanies
low-loss cables since special manufacturing methods and materials are required. Eventually, as
distances become greater, a practical limit is reached where cost, weight, and rigidity become
prohibitive factors.
3.6.2 Active Cable Runs
In some cases, long cable runs may become more practical by using "active" methods. Increasing
the distance between the GPS antenna and receiver by active means is accomplished by inserting
one or more additional cable lengths and adding an in-line amplifier to negate the signal loss of
each additional cable length.
The use of in-line amplifiers allows for smaller, less expensive, and more flexible coaxial cable
as opposed to the larger, semi-rigid, low-loss cables. On the other hand, a good deal more
hardware is required for the installation, such as one or more in-line amplifiers, an external
power supply system for the amplifiers and possibly a DC block, coaxial connector adapters, and
a bias-T to inject the external power supply through the coaxial cable.
A basic installation using an in-line amplifier powered by an external power supply through a
bias-T is shown in Figure 11. The bias-T should include circuitry to prevent DC power from
being fed back to the receiver. Because an external supply is being used, the receiver’s internal
LNA power output must be disabled using the ANTENNAPOWER OFF command. However,
depending on the power requirements of the in-line amplifier and antenna, one of the other
solutions for incorporating in-line amplifiers as discussed in Section 3.1.3 starting on page 5 may
be more suitable
2
.
12 of 14
Figure 11 – Additional Cable Length with In-Line Amplifier
NovAtel
receiver
G
P
S
antenna
+5.0 VDC
RF
1
The current and voltage requirements of your RF equipment may vary. The 200 mA fuse
and +5.0 VDC supply shown are for illustration purposes only.
1
Antenna cable
In-line
amplifier
2
2
Additional
coaxial cable
Bias-T
External
power supply
200 mA
fuse
+5.0 VDC
GND
The command must be issued to the receiver to disable the receiver’s
internal LNA power output.
ANTENNAPOWER OFF
4 Suppliers
5
This section provides information on suppliers and equipment that may meet your needs for the
special cases mentioned in Section 3.
4.1 Low-Loss Cables
One source of low-loss coaxial cables is the Andrew Corporation. Andrew supplies low-loss
HELIAX
®
cables of various sizes, loss values, and flexibility. To find out more about Andrew’s
products, visit www.andrew.com.
4.2 In-Line Amplifiers
Raven ATC and Mini-Circuits both offer suitable in-line, low-noise amplifiers. Raven ATC has
developed an in-line amplifier that provides 20 dB of gain, with a low noise figure and low
current consumption, which is ideal for use with an OEM4, OEMV, or SSII family receiver. For
product details and contact information, visit http://www.ravenprecision.com/atc/GPS/Products/.
Mini-Circuits also offers inline amplifiers that can be used for an extended cable run or when the
RF equipment loss is too great to meet the GPS receiver’s input gain requirements. However,
typically their in-line amplifiers require 15 VDC and, therefore, the configuration must follow
that described in Section 3.1.3.2 on page 5. An adapter may also be required, as Mini-Circuit’s
in-line amplifiers are typically supplied with BNC or SMA connectors. For further information,
visit www.mini-circuits.com
.
4.3 Other Equipment
In addition to providing in-line amplifiers, Raven ATC and mini-circuts also offer splitters and
bias-Ts, as detailed at http://www.ravenprecision.com/atc/GPS/Products/
or
www.minicircuts.com Any bias-Ts used should include circuitry to prevent DC power from
5
This section is provided for information purposes only. NovAtel does not endorse any of these suppliers or their
products. The information provided was accurate at the time of publication. Confirm all specifications, models,
and part numbers with the manufacturer prior to ordering.
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being fed back to the receiver. GPS Networking, at www.gpsnetworking.com, specializes in
custom parts and in-line TNC attenuators.
5 Additional Information
Various solutions for GPS antenna and cable setup have been offered in this application note.
For more information and insight to alternative solutions, please contact NovAtel Customer
Service.
Phone: 1-800-NOVATEL (US & Canada)
(403) 295-4900 (International)
Fax: (403) 295-4901
E-mail: support@novatel.com
Web: www.novatel.com
Mail: NovAtel Inc.
1120 – 68
th
Avenue N.E.
Calgary, Alberta
Canada, T2E 8S5
NovAtel
®
is a registered trademark of NovAtel Inc. © Copyright 1997-2007 NovAtel, Inc.
All other brand names are trademarks of their respective holders. All rights reserved.