Microstrip Yagi antenna for mobile satellite service

A major aspect of the JPL MSAT (mobile satellite) program has been the introduction of new antenna concepts to satisfy the requirements of a mobile antenna to provide medium gain (10 dBic) and low profile and low cost, and to automatically remain pointed toward the proper satellite as the vehicle moves about. The microstrip Yagi antenna is discussed. This system consists of a microstrip Yagi array, a stripline RF beamformer circuit, a motorized turntable for azimuth pointing, and a pointing control computer. The diameter of the antenna is 56 cm and its height 3.8 cm.<<ETX>>