ANTENNA UNIT

摘要

The present invention relates to an antenna unit, and in particular to a low profile antenna unit which provides dual band operation for reception and/or transmission for both terrestrial and earth-orbiting satellite radio communication. The antenna unit (1, 31, 51, 81, 101) has substantially planar conducting sections in close proximity, the sections defining at least one ground plane (4, 34, 35, 59, 83, 103), a first radiator (3, 34, 52, 80, 100) with a response pattern extending in an elevation plane for satellite communications, and a second radiator (2, 32, 53, 82, 102) with a response pattern extending in an azimuthal plane for terrestrial communications. The second radiator is adapted for radio communication with radio signals having an electric field polarised substantially in an elevation plane, and the radiators preferably share a common ground plane. In one embodiment, the first and second radiators are respectively a patch radiator (3, 34, 52) and a slot radiator (2, 32, 53). In another embodiment, the radiators are respectively a patch radiator (80, 100) and a bent folded monopole radiator (82, 102).