Which statement describes a planar antenna?

Which statement describes a planar antenna?

• A. Dish reflector, easy, cheap, cluttered
• B. Gimbled flat face, with side lobe, more efficient, multi-track
• C. Phased beam steering
• D. Lobe Switching

Answer: (B)

Planar antennas rely on a flat, two‑dimensional radiating surface. That flat aperture is the defining feature, unlike a dish that is curved to focus energy. When a planar antenna is mounted on a gimbal, you can point it in different directions while keeping the flat surface intact, which is a common and practical arrangement. This flat geometry also supports forming multiple beams to track more than one target—what “multi-track” refers to. Side lobes are a natural part of planar array patterns, and designers manage them as part of achieving the desired overall performance. In contrast, a dish reflector is curved, and other options point to different concepts such as electronic beam steering or scanning methods, not the planar nature itself.

Planar antennas rely on a flat, two‑dimensional radiating surface. That flat aperture is the defining feature, unlike a dish that is curved to focus energy. When a planar antenna is mounted on a gimbal, you can point it in different directions while keeping the flat surface intact, which is a common and practical arrangement. This flat geometry also supports forming multiple beams to track more than one target—what “multi-track” refers to. Side lobes are a natural part of planar array patterns, and designers manage them as part of achieving the desired overall performance. In contrast, a dish reflector is curved, and other options point to different concepts such as electronic beam steering or scanning methods, not the planar nature itself.