A dual-band low profile phased array antenna for civil aviation applications

This paper presents the design, simulation, construction and measurement of dual band phased array antenna elements for civil aviation applications. Both L-bands and Ku-bands have been employed for commercial satellite communications. The L-band offers the advantage of a mature and relatively inexpensive technology, whereas the Ku band presents the possibility of very large bandwidths. There is an increasing feeling in aeronautics community that the L-band is suitable for cockpit communications and the Ku-band for passenger applications (such as broadband internet), so it seems likely that the two systems will coexist. In order to cater for both bands, without multiplying the number of antennas on the aircraft, it is necessary to turn to dual band technology, where a single antenna operates simultaneously in both bands. For aerospace applications we are also concerned about minimising drag, and for this reason we attempt a design with a low profile.