Antenna array assembly and method of construction thereof

A method of construction of an antenna array assembly having an array of patch antenna elements, the method comprising:

• providing a dielectric film carrying an array of conductive patch radiator elements and a plurality of conductive feed tracks;
• providing a ground plate, a face of the ground plate having a contoured shape, the contoured shape comprising a first part configured to be in contact with the dielectric film, and a second part comprising sunken sections with respect to the first part arranged to underlie the conductive feed tracks and the conductive patch radiator elements, and the ground plate having locating protrusions protruding from the first part wherein the shape of the first part is configured to provide support to the dielectric film by extending up to a margin around the conductive feed network and the conductive patch radiator elements, whereby to support the flexible film;
• and
• attaching the dielectric film to the ground plate by location of holes in the dielectric film with the locating protrusions, such that the dielectric film is held under tension, whereby to maintain spacing of the dielectric film from the sunken sections of the ground plate without the use of a dielectric spacer layer between the dielectric film and the ground plate.