Patent attributes
A low-cost antenna array and method of manufacturing the array, in a planar form or in a structurally flexible or curved array structure are shown. The antenna array has a plurality of metallic antenna electrical and radiator elements formed on a foam core layer bonded onto a metallic ground layer. The radiator elements preferably are formed on a thin dielectric carrier layer bonded to the foam core layer. The array can include one or more additional dielectric layers, each with a plurality of parasitic radiator elements formed thereon, mounted on top of the electrical elements. Manufacturing the array preferably includes bonding the layers to one another. The electrical and radiator elements are formed, preferably by etching, before the foam core layer is bonded to the ground layer. The additional dielectric layer and the parasitic radiators then are bonded to the already formed electrical elements on the ground layer.
