Costars: Low cost S-band receive transmit antenna for vehicular applications

The present paper describes the design, manufacturing and testing of a switchable dual polarised Tx/Rx antenna for S-band vehicular applications. The paper also addresses antenna production and the related validation tests. The main contributions and novelty of the antennas designed in the framework of the project are the full integration with ESA requirements and needs, requirements and constraints of automotive market (thanks also to the multi-decennial experience of Calearo Group) for satellite mobile services. Moreover the products are ready for the market and the solutions are highly integrated (including low noise block and filtering section) in a low-cost and shark-fin-like aesthetical concept where the industrialization process has been actively considered and developed.