Mobile antenna characterization and optimization for uhf satellite communications

An Improved Lightweight Satellite Communications Antenna (ILSA) was characterized by simulation and measurement. The measured gain is within 1.1 dB of the simulated gain and the measured beamwidths and sidelobe levels are in excellent agreement with the simulations. In addition, various antenna geometries that represent both damaged and incorrectly deployed operating conditions were also measured and simulated. Finally, an optimized array geometry is presented that provides improved antenna performance.