A versatile, broadband, low-profile antenna

The recently invented spiral-mode microstrip (SMM) antenna is finding application in various commercial systems as well as various military systems in addition to the military application for which it was developed. The salient features of this antenna are reviewed with respect to those applications for which interest in the antenna has been strongest. The salient features of the new antenna are broad bandwidth, low profile and high efficiency. All applications identified need, or at least prefer, a low-profile, unobtrusive antenna. When this requirement is coupled with the need for, or advantages of, broad bandwidth, the SMM antenna is needed. There are significant advantages to broad bandwidth even for those applications that cover a modest band. Bandwidth advantages are summarized