Satellites - Communications: Patch Array Antennas

This type of antenna is made up of many metal (usually copper) patches arranged in a grid shape (that is, in an array)
The advantage of this type of antenna is that because it is composed of metal conductors, it can interact with electronic circuits; this means that ground controllers can electronically steer the beam in many different directions
Patch array antennas are simple and light
They can be wrapped around the body of the satellite or attached to any flat surface, so they do not make the satelitte any larger
Because they are very small, they are used in the transmitter/receivers carried by individuals using the GPS (Global Positioning System)
They are very efficient, moderately durable, and moderately expensive

Produced by Galactics.
Comments: galactics@spacesim.org.
Last updated on: 8 August 1997.