Novatel GNSS-500 Series User manual

1
GNSS-500 Series
Antennas
GM-14915144 Rev 4 September 2022
USER GUIDE
The GNSS-501, GNSS-502 and GNSS-503 are active antennas designed to receive signals from GPS,
GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo satellites as well as L-Band signals.
The GNSS-501 antenna is designed to operate in GPS L1, GLONASS L1, Galileo E1, BeiDou B1 and
L-Band frequencies.
The GNSS-502 antenna is designed to operate in GPS L1/L2, GLONASS L1/L2, Galileo E1/E5b,
BeiDou B1/B2 and L-Band frequencies.
The GNSS-503 antenna is designed to operate in GPS L1/L2/L5, GLONASS L1/L2, Galileo E1/E5a/E5b/
E6, BeiDou B1/B2 and L-Band frequencies.
This guide provides the basic information you need to install and begin using your new antenna.
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
The following equipment is required to set up the GNSS-501, GNSS-502 or GNSS-503 antenna:
• Coaxial cable with a male TNC connector
• A device with an antenna input port that both receives the RF signal and provides 3.3 – 18.0 VDC to the
antenna (all NovAtel GNSS receivers provide the necessary power through their antenna RF
connectors)
SITE SELECTION GUIDELINES
Before installing the antenna, select a site that as closely as possible meets the following conditions for
optimal performance:
• An unobstructed line-of-sight from horizon to horizon and at all bearings and elevation angles
• As far as possible from reflective objects, especially those that are above the antenna and any water
bodies, which can be a strong source of multipath reflections
• If obstructions and reflective surfaces are within 30 m, ensure the site is as high as possible. Otherwise,
mount the antenna as close as possible to a reference ground plane, i.e., rooftop, earth, etc., if one
exists.
To avoid potential adverse effects, do not locate antennas near any high sources of heat.

2
INSTALLING THE ANTENNA
After a site has been selected, install the antenna as follows:
1. Mount the antenna on a secure, stable structure using the provided magnetic mounts. A surface
mounting plate (NovAtel P/N 01018317) is also available for mounting on non-magnetic surfaces.
2. Attach the TNC connector of the coaxial cable to the antenna’s TNC connector. 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 GNSS receivers provide the
necessary power through their antenna RF connectors.
MECHANICAL DRAWING
TNC connector
Dimensions are in millimeters.

3
MOUNTING PLATE (NOVATEL P/N 01018317)
ANTENNA CARE
The GNSS-501, GNSS-502 and GNSS-503 are designed to withstand the elements, including rain, snow
and dust. However, to ensure your antenna performs optimally, keep the radome (the top surface of the
antenna) clean and brush off any ice and snow.
The optimal screw penetration into the mounting holes is 6 mm (±1 mm) deep. When selecting
screws for mounting, ensure the screw penetration does not exceed this specification. Using
excessively long screws can damage the antenna enclosure.
Two magnetic mounts are installed on
the bottom of the antennas. Refer to
Mechanical Drawing on page 2 for the
location of the magnetic mounts.
Dimensions are in inches.

4
SPECIFICATIONS
GNSS-501 GNSS-502 GNSS-503
Radio Frequency
Pass band (typical)
Upper passband
Lower passband
L-Band
1588.5 ±23.0 MHz
1545.0 ±20.0 MHz
1578.0 ±33.0 MHz
1220.0 ±31.0 MHz
1577.5 ±32.5 MHz
1232.0 ±68.0 MHz
Out-of-band rejection (typical)
band edges ±50 MHz
band edges ±100 MHz
15 dB
25 dB
15 dB
25 dB
15 dB
25 dB
Gain at zenith ( = 90°) (minimum)
L1/B1/E1/G1/L-Band
L2/B2/E5b/G2
L2/B2/E5a/E5b/G2
L5
E6
+4.0 dBic +4.0 dBic
+3.5 dBic
+4.0 dBic
+3.5 dBic
+2.5 dBic
+1.0 dBic
Gain roll-off (zenith to horizon) (typical)
Upper passband
Lower passband
L-Band
12 dB
12dB
12 dB
13 dB
12 dB
12 dB
13 dB
12 dB
LNA gain (typical) L1: 29 dB L1: 34 dB
L2: 38 dB
L1: 34 dB
L2: 38 dB
L1-L2 differential propagation delay
(maximum)
– 7 ns 7 ns
Polarization Right-hand circular
Noise figure (typical) 2.5 dB
Nominal impedance 50 
VSWR (typical) 2.0
Power
Input voltage +3.3 to +18.0 VDC
Current 20 mA (typical)
Environmental
Operating temperature -40°C to +85°C (-40°F to +185°F)
Storage temperature -55°C to +85°C (-67°F to +185°F)
Random Vibration (operating) MIL-STD-810G(CH1), 514.7 (15 g) Annex E Procedure 1,
Category 24
Shock MIL-STD-810G(CH1), 516.7 (40 g) Procedure 1
Bump IEC 60068-2-27 Ea (25 g)
Salt Fog MIL-STD-810G(CH1), 509.6
Water/Dust Resistance IP67, IP69K

5
FCC
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (ISED)
GNSS-501, GNSS-502 and GNSS-503 Class B digital device complies with Canadian ICES-003.
GNSS-501, GNSS-502 and GNSS-503 appareils numérique de la classe B sont conforme à la norme
NMB-003 du Canada.
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
NovAtel Inc. declares that the GNSS-501, GNSS-502 and GNSS-503 are in compliance with:
1. EU Directive 2014/53/EU
The full text of the Declarations of Conformity may be obtained from the NovAtel web site at:
novatel.com/products/novatel-compliance
RoHS
The GNSS-501, GNSS-502 and GNSS-503 are in conformity with:
1. Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the council of 8 June 2011 on the restriction
of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
2. the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment
(Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/3032).
WEEE Notice
If you purchased your GNSS-501, GNSS-502 or GNSS-503 product in Europe or the United Kingdom,
please return it to your dealer or supplier at the end of its life. The objectives of NovAtel's environment
policy are, in particular, to preserve, protect and improve the quality of the environment, protect human
health and utilise natural resources prudently and rationally. Sustainable development advocates the
reduction of wasteful consumption of natural resources and the prevention of pollution. Waste electrical
and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a regulated area. Where the generation of waste cannot be avoided,
it should be reused or recovered for its material or energy. WEEE products may be recognized by their
wheeled bin label ( ).
See novatel.com/products/novatel-compliance/novatel-environmental-compliance for more information.
Physical
Dimensions 155 mm D x 45 mm H (6.10" D x 1.77” H)
Weight 450 g (15.88 oz)

6
WARRANTY
NovAtel Inc. warrants that its GNSS products are free from defects in materials and workmanship, subject
to the conditions set forth on our web site: novatel.com/products/novatel-warranty-and-return-policies
RETURN INSTRUCTIONS
To return products, refer to the instructions found at: novatel.com/products/novatel-warranty-and-return-
policies
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
If you have any questions or comments regarding your GNSS-501, GNSS-502 or GNSS-503 product,
contact NovAtel Customer Service using one of these methods
Log a Case and Search Knowledge:
Website: novatel.com/support
Log a Case, Search Knowledge and View Your Case History: (login required)
Web Portal: https://shop.novatel.com/novatelstore/s/login/
Email:
[email protected]
Telephone:
U.S. and Canada: 1-800-NOVATEL (1-800-668-2835)
International: [phone]
GNSS-500 Series Antennas User Guide
NovAtel and VEXXIS are trademarks of NovAtel, Inc., entities within
the Hexagon Autonomy & Positioning division, their affiliated entities,
and/or their licensors. All other trademarks are properties of their
respective owners.
©2022 NovAtel Inc. All rights reserved. NovAtel is part of Hexagon.
Unpublished rights reserved under international copyright laws.