How Far can I run cable from the receiving Antenna to a GPS Source Splitter?
What we are concerned with is total signal loss. For high
gain antenna (35dB), most receivers can operate properly with 13dB +/- 2dB
total loss or attenuation from the antenna to the receiver input. For lower
gain antenna (26dB), most receivers function normal with 6dB +/- 2dB total
loss or attenuation from the antenna to the receiver input.
Considerations include the cable loss between the antenna
and the splitter, the splitter loss and the cable loss from the splitter to
the receiving device. Those three things combined cannot exceed the 13dB +/- 2dB
or the 6dB +/- 2dB above.
Remember the passive S12 adds approximately 4dB of loss
and the passive S14 adds approximately 8dB of loss. The only thing left to
do is calculate your cable loss.
Why are GPS Source splitters built with 200 OHM loads on DC Blocked Ports?
GPS source splitters can pass DC voltage or block DC voltage on every port. The 200 Ohm loads on DC blocked ports simulate the current draw of an attached antenna. Some GPS receivers will indicate an antenna fault if they do not detect this current draw.
Most GPS receivers supply antenna voltage through the input port.
GPS Source splitters pass this DC voltage to the antenna via the Out1 port.
Hence, the Out1 ports do not need a 200 Ohm load and the attached receiver
will not indicate an antenna fault. For splitters with the Power Option
where antenna voltage is supplied by the splitter, all Out ports are blocked
and have a 200 Ohm load. Again, the attached receivers are satisfied with the
200 Ohm load a no antenna fault will be indicated.
Can the GPS signal be split into 2 or more different receivers?
Yes. We have a standard S12 (Splitter 2 outputs) that will split the GPS
signal to two receivers. One output port will pass DC up to the antenna and the other output
port is DC blocked with an RF load. You can choose the connector types, which can be the same
or different depending upon your application.
Also available are the S14, S18 and rack mount products.
Will the GPS Source Splitter pass receiver DC to the antenna?
Yes. The standard configuration of GPS Source splitters will pass
receiver DC voltage from output 1 to the antenna input. GPS Source splitters will use about 14ma of current.
If required, you can order the power option which will block all output ports and regulate DC voltage to the antenna input.
