GROUND STATION ANTENNA ARRAY FOR AIR TO GROUND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

摘要

A ground station antenna array includes a first array of antenna elements (610). A second array of antenna elements (640) are vertically aligned with the first array of antenna elements. The first array of antenna elements and the second array of antenna elements are coupled to the digital beam forming circuitry and each cover a same sector of azimuth; the first array of antenna elements only covering a first elevation; the second array of antenna elements only covering a second lower elevation. The digital beam forming circuitry directs a radiation pattern of the first array of antenna elements in a first range of elevation angles, and directs a radiation pattern of the second array of antenna elements in a second range of elevation angles. The second array of antenna elements has higher gain than the first array. A respective transceiver is coupled to respective antenna elements of the first and second arrays.