A 7.5-GHz microstrip phased array for aircraft-to-satellite communication

The demand for high-gain full-hemisphere coverage for aircraft-to-satellite communications is ever increasing. Many approaches to this problem have been investigated, including a parabolic dish under a radome and the more conformal hybrid-scan array under a radome. Both are heavy and protrude a significant distance from the aircraft skin. An alternative solution to the problem may be a completely conformal lightweight microstrip phased array.