A LOW WINDLOAD BROADBAND FLAPS™ ANTENNA FOR TELEMETRY TRACKING SYSTEMS

Abstract

The use of low windload FLAPS™ antennas in telemetry tracking systems yields sizable savings in system cost due to the reduced requirements imposed on the pedestal assembly and on the underlying support structure. Traditionally the use of these antennas has been limited to applications in which frequency bandwidths did not exceed 10-13%. This paper describes a variation of the FLAPS™ technology which allows operation over bandwidths in excess of 35% and makes it usable in broadband systems. Two new applications are feasible: one for a ground based telemetry system operating in the 1435-1850 or 1750-2400 MHz band and one for a shipboard satellite communication system operating in the 4000-6000 MHz band.