GPS cases to enhance reception?

[+user13371]

This is kinda sort of a cross post from the iPhone forum, but I'll try to make it more generally interesting to GPS tech folks.

 

The new iPhone 4 has a steel-band around its edge to act as an antenna. Multiple antennas really, for the multiple radios in the device. There are a few seams in the steel that separate the different antennas. It's been widely reported in the news now that holding the phone a certain way, such that your hand covers the seam in the antennas on the lower left, causes a drop in 3G reception.

 

Solutions suggested elsewhere include "don't hold it that way" or "buy a case." I also thought up putting a small piece of electrical tape on the seams so your hand doesn't bridge the gap. I might do that until I can buy an Otterbox for this phone anyhow.

 

NOW -- making this less iPhone specific, a thought: If wrapping a plastic case around the phone can avoid this signal loss, would it be possible to IMPROVE reception with a properly designed case? Maybe something with contact pads on the inside edge along the phone's steel, wired to a huge patch antenna build into the case backing?

 

Would this work at all? Could this sort of passive add-on antenna be possible with any other kind of GPS, or would it require one that had an exposed metal part of the antenna for a solid contact?

 

I need more coffee

Edited June 25, 2010 by lee_rimar

[+Chrysalides]

There doesn't need to be a reason for more coffee

 

Antenna design is as much art as science, and bigger is definitely not better. I know there were some who claimed that the eTrex pouch sold by Garmin decreases the accuracy of the unit, though I have not seen that myself. I could almost swear that my Garmin's EPE only decreases when I stare at it - if I don't look at it, it either gets worse, or stays in the 30+ ft range.

 

Now I'm off to get my morning coffee..