AN ARRAY ANTENNA COMPRISING MEANS TO ESTABLISH GALVANIC CONTACTS BETWEEN ITS RADIATOR ELEMENTS WHILE ALLOWING FOR THEIR THERMAL EXPANSION

摘要

There is disclosed an apparatus comprising a plurality of three-dimensiona l radiator elements, each radiator element transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves. The radiator elements are arranged so that at least one pair of adjacent radiator elements are separated by a gap, which behaves like a waveguide inducing by a coupling effect electromagnetic interferences with the waves. The apparatus comprises means to establish a galvanic contact between the adjacent radiator elements, so as to suppress the coupling effect, while allowing for the thermal expansion of the adjacent radiator elements.