Multi-polarized antenna array

A method for transmitting signals, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a multi-polarized antenna array comprising two or more planar antennas that are co-located and arranged orthogonally to one another such that the two or more planar antennas are characterized by two or more different polarizations, wherein each planar antenna comprises:
• a first antenna conducting element comprising a first straight segment, a first arm, and a second arm, each arm having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a second antenna conducting element comprising a second straight segment and a third arm, the third arm having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a third antenna conducting element comprising a third straight segment and a fourth arm, the fourth arm having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and
• a transmission line comprising first and second transmission line conductors, wherein:
• the proximal ends of the first and second arms are coupled to opposite ends of the first straight segment and the distal ends of the first and second arms extend toward one another and away from the second and third antenna conducting elements;
• the second and third straight segments are aligned end to end, are separated by a gap, and are parallel to the first straight segment;
• the proximal ends of the third and fourth arms are coupled to opposite ends of the second and third straight segments, respectively, and the distal ends of the second and third arms extend toward one another and away from the first antenna conducting element;
• and
• the first and second transmission line conductors are coupled to adjacent ends of the second and third straight segments, respectively.
• (b) driving the transmission line of each of the two or more planar antennas with a corresponding outgoing signal.

A method for receiving signals, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a multi-polarized antenna array comprising two or more planar antennas that are co-located and arranged orthogonally to one another such that the two or more planar antennas are characterized by two or more different polarizations, wherein each planar antenna comprises:
• a first antenna conducting element comprising a first straight segment, a first arm, and a second arm, each arm having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a second antenna conducting element comprising a second straight segment and a third arm, the third arm having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a third antenna conducting element comprising a third straight segment and a fourth arm, the fourth arm having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and
• a transmission line comprising first and second transmission line conductors, wherein:
• the proximal ends of the first and second arms are coupled to opposite ends of the first straight segment and the distal ends of the first and second arms extend toward one another and away from the second and third antenna conducting elements;
• the second and third straight segments are aligned end to end, are separated by a gap, and are parallel to the first straight segment;
• the proximal ends of the third and fourth arms are coupled to opposite ends of the second and third straight segments, respectively, and the distal ends of the second and third arms extend toward one another and away from the first antenna conducting element;
• and
• the first and second transmission line conductors are coupled to adjacent ends of the second and third straight segments, respectively.
• (b) receiving at the transmission line of each of the two or more planar antennas a corresponding incoming signal.