TTC patch antennas made in a conformal form with small radius

Telemetry, teleranging and telecommand (TTC) communication is essential to maintain space missions. Antennas for TTC applications must feature wide - or even omnidirectional - radiation properties. In this paper we present results of our investigations on small size cylindrical arrays which can ensure such radiation properties. Due to small volume required they can be mounted at top and bottom of small spacecraft. Our interest is focused on the S-band, however, results can be extended onto upper microwave frequency bands. We attempted to optimize radiation and impedance properties of patch elements conformal to a small radius cylindrical surface, which is about a wavelength in diameter. The considered cylindrical arrays consist of three to seven probe-fed patches. As a further upgrade to the investigated cylindrical antenna we propose to use a spherical patch on a top of such cylindrical arrays. With use of less expensive materials, the proposed antenna concepts can be applied in wireless communication and in electronic instruments.