Dual-polarized cylindrically conformal microstrip patch antennas and arrays

The design of conformal antenna arrays consisting of dual-polarized microstrip patches with a series-type feed mounted on a finite cylindrical ground is addressed. First, we discuss the characteristics of a single dual-polarized cylindrically conformal microstrip patch focusing on the effect of the cylinder curvature on the antenna performance. Then, we present small radius cylindrical arrays made of few conformal patch elements capable of producing either an omnidirectional coverage or sectoral patterns with the radiated field oriented indistinctly along any of two orthogonal polarizations. Preliminary numerical results show that reasonably wide bandwidth operation and good isolation of radiated polarizations can be achieved in both omnidirectional radiation and switched-beam operations.