Antenna and antenna system for satellite communications

Abstract

It is disclosed a waveguide array antenna for satellite communications. The antenna is configured to transmit and/or receive a first polarization signal and a second polarization signal, the second polarization being orthogonal to the first polarization, and comprises an array of unit cells, each comprising a radiating element. The antenna comprises: a grid configured to divide each radiating element into sub-elements having an inter-element distance lower than or equal to the wavelength at a highest frequency of operation of the antenna; and an electromagnetic band gap layer configured to support the grid above the radiating elements. The grid comprises a number of grid unit portions, and the electromagnetic band gap layer consists of a number of pins protruding from the walls of each grid unit portion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.