Flat plate antennas for millimetric terrestrial and satcom systems

Flat plate antenna (FPA) technology has been successfully applied previously at 11-12 GHz for DBS reception. New systems operating at millimetric frequencies are being introduced for both terrestrial (LMDS, 28 GHz) and satcom systems (20/30 or 11/30 GHz). The use of FPAs at millimetric frequencies has to overcome a number of new challenges, some associated with the shorter wavelength and some due to operating in dual bands. Research into these problems is described, showing that feasible antenna designs have been found, with results from early prototypes.