Novatel GPS-532, GPS-532-C User Manual

GPS-532 and GPS-532-C

The GPS-532 is an active antenna
designed to operate at the GPS L1
and L2 frequencies, 1575.42 and

1227.60 MHz. The GPS-532-C
version is aircraft certified for
navigation. This guide provides the
basic information you need to
install and begin using your new antenna.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

• A device with an antenna input port that both receives the RF
signal and provides 2.5 to 24.0 VDC to the antenna is required
to set up the GPS-532. (NovAtel GPS receivers provide the
necessary power through their antenna RF connectors.)

• Coaxial cable with a male TNC connector

INSTALLING THE ANTENNA

Both the input DC power and the output RF signal flow over a
single coaxial cable that is connected to the unit's TNC female
connector.

The antenna can be attached to a surface by means of an
ARINC-743 Bolt Pattern.

Four screws pass through the housing of the antenna.
Install the antenna as follows:

1. The antenna is supplied with an o-ring. Place it in the o-ring
groove of the antenna base.

User-supplied o-ring grease can be used to hold the o-ring in
the groove during installation.

2. Pre-drill the mounting holes and the connector hole on the
surface, see the Mechanical Drawings section of this guide
for details on the ARINC-743 mounting pattern.

3. Attach the antenna to the surface using the four mounting
screws supplied. The o-ring compresses and creates a seal
between the surface and the antenna.

Ref. # Description Ref.# Description

1 532 antenna 4 O-ring
2 Countersink screws 5 Pre-drilled mounting holes
3 Mounting surface

4. Remove the dust cap from the antenna’s TNC connector.

5. Attach the male TNC connector of the coaxial cable to the
antenna’s TNC connector.

Ref. # Description

1 Antenna

screwed into

place
2Surface
3 TNC connector
4 Coaxial cable

6. Attach the other end of the coaxial cable to the antenna input
port of the receiving device, which must provide power as
detailed in the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide. All
NovAtel GPS receivers provide the necessary power
through their antenna RF connectors.

The graphic above shows examples of where the 532 antenna
may be placed on an aircraft or vehicle (not to scale).

ANTENNA CARE

The GPS-532 is designed to withstand the elements, including
rain, snow, and dust. However, to ensure your antenna performs
optimally, keep the radome clean and brush off any ice and
snow. In addition, ensure the TNC connector remains clean and
dry and replace the dust cap when a cable is not connected.

L1 ELEVATION GAIN PATTERN

L2 ELEVATION GAIN PATTERN

USERS’ GUIDE

1

2

3 4 5

1

3

2

4

dB

0

0

dB

0

SPECIFICATIONS MECHANICAL DRAWINGS PHASE CENTER

Please refer to the Mechanical Drawings on the previous panel
and the close-up of the label below before reading this section.

HEIGHT = Vertical phase center offset from antenna reference

point or antenna reference plane (ARP), see the
MECHANICAL DRAWINGS section of this guide.

For relative offset numbers and phase center variation (PCV)
tables, please visit the U.S. National Geodetic Survey (NGS)
website at www.ngs.noaa.gov/ANTCAL/.

For absolute offset numbers and to download PCV tables,
please visit the GEO++ website at www.geopp.com.

When using either of the websites mentioned above, look for the
NovAtel listing of your antenna model and its hardware revision.

At the time of print, we are unable to provide typical absolute and
relative offset numbers for the current 532 antenna model.
Please check our website for updates to this manual at

www.novatel.com/Downloads/docupdates.html

and the websites

mentioned above.
If you need any further advice on this matter, please visit our

website at www.novatel.com. Other methods of contacting
Customer Service can be found on the last panel of this guide.

WARRANTY POLICY

NovAtel Inc. warrants that its Global Positioning System (GPS) products are free from
defects in materials and workmanship, subject to the conditions set forth below, for the
following periods of time:

GPSAntenna™ Modules: One (1) Year

Cables and Accessories: Ninety (90) Days
Date of sale shall mean the date of the invoice to the original customer for the product.
NovAtel's responsibility respecting this warranty is limited solely to product repair at an
authorized NovAtel location only. Determination of repair will be made by NovAtel personnel
or by technical personnel expressly authorized by NovAtel for this purpose.
The foregoing warranties do not extend to

(i) nonconformities, defects or errors in the products due to accident, abuse, misuse or negli­gent use of the products or use in other than a normal and customary manner , en vironment al
conditions not conforming to NovAtel’s specifications, or failure to follow prescribed installa­tion, operating and maintenance procedures, (ii) defects, errors or nonconformities in the
products due to modifications, alterations, additions or changes not made in accordance with
NovAtel’s specifications or authorized by NovAtel, (iii) normal wear and tear, (iv) damage
cause by force of nature or act of any third person, (v) shipping damage; or (vi)service or
repair of product by the dealer without prior written consent from NovAtel.

In addition, the foregoing warranties shall not apply to products designated by NovAtel as
beta site test samples, experimental, developmental, preproduction, sample, incomplete or
out of specification products or to returned products if the original identification marks have
been removed or altered.

The warranties and remedies are exclusive and all other warranties, express or implied,
written or oral, including the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular
purpose are excluded.

NovAtel shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense arising directly or indirectly out of
the purchase, installation, operation, use or licensing or products or services. In no event
shall NovAtel be liable for special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages of any kind
or nature due to any cause.

There are no user-serviceable parts in the GPSAntenna and no maintenance is required. If
the unit is faulty, replace with another unit and return the faulty unit to NovAtel Inc. You must
obtain a RETURN MATERIAL AUTHORIZATION (RMA) number by calling NovAtel
Customer Service at 1-800-NOVATEL (U.S. and Canad a only) or 403-295-4900 before ship­ping any product to NovAtel or a dealer. Once you have obtained an RMA number, you will
be advised of proper shipping procedures to return any defective product. When returning
any product to NovAtel, please return the defective product in the original packaging to avoid
damage.

 Before shippi ng any materi al t o NovAte l or ou r Dea ler, please obtain a Return Material

Authorization (RMA) number from the point of purchase. You may also visit our website
(http://www.novatel.com) and select Support | Repair Request from the side menu.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

If you have any questions or comments regarding your 700 series antenna, please contact
NovAtel Customer Service using one of methods provided below.
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.novatel.com
Phone: 1-800-NOVATEL (U.S. & Canada)

403-295-4900 (International)
Fax: [phone]
© Copyright 2002-2004 NovAtel Inc. All rights reserved.Printed in Canada on recycled paper.
Unpublished rights reserved under international copyright laws. Recyclable.
OM-20000084 Rev 1 August 17, 2004

RF

3 dB pass band (typical)

L1: 1575.42 ±13 MHz

L2: 1227.60 ±13 MHz
Out-of-band rejection (typical) > 40 dBc
Gain at zenith (

θ = 90°) (min)

L1: +4.7 dBic L2: +3.3 dBic
Gain roll-off (zenith to horizon) L1:+6.5 dB L2:+7.1 dB
LNA gain (typical) 31/33 ±2 dB
Polarization Right-hand circular
Noise figure (typical) 3.0 dB
Nominal impedance 50 Ω
VSWR ≤ 1.5 : 1

POWER

Input voltage 2.5 - 24.0 VDC
Current (typical) 35 mA

PHYSICAL

Radome Size 5.6 cm (2.20”) x 8.6 cm (3.40”)
Weight 198 g (7.0 oz.)

ENVIRONMENTAL

Maximum altitude 21336 m (70000 ft.)
Operating temperature -55°C to +85°C (-67°F to +185°F)
Storage temperature -55°C to +85°C (-67°F to +185°F)

Designed to meet these
standards

a

a. If you purchased the GPS-532-C version, your antenna

has the full TSO-C144 certification.

D0-160D

DO228

MIL-C-5541

MIL-E-5400

MIL-I-45208A

MIL-STD-810

SAE J1455

ARP

Dimensions are in inches
followed by [mm]

HEIGHT

Antenna model

Hardware Revision