Antenna cross-polar suppression means

The present invention relates to antennas. One of the problems which arises during the operation of a linear array antenna with electrical downtilt is that cross-polar radiation currents are generated. These cross-polar radiation currents, if at the same frequency as the operating band of the antenna, interfere with the required gain of the antenna. The present invention provides a solution to cross-polar radiation currents with an antenna assembly comprising first and second apertured ground planes 802, 808 with an antenna probe feed network printed upon a dielectric substrate supported therebetween, the array of radiating elements having different phase input feeds, wherein an outwardly extending ground plane flange 818 extends from one of the apertured ground planes. There is also provided a method of receiving and transmitting signals by means of a layered antenna of this construction.