Patent ID: 7167128

Claim:
A modular patch antenna system comprising a first module and a second module, said first module comprising a first metal or metal-plated radiating layer, a second, middle dielectric layer, and a third metal or metal-plated ground layer, said second module comprising a frame that attaches to or fits onto the periphery of the first module, said frame comprising: a first metal or metal plated radiating layer, a second middle dielectric layer, and a third metal or metal plated ground layer, wherein the first metal or metal plated radiating layer in the second module lies in substantially the same plane as the first metal or metal plated radiating layer in the first module, the second middle dielectric layer of the second module lies in substantially the same plane as the second middle dielectric layer of the first module, and the third metal or metal plated ground layer in the second module lies in substantially the same plane as the third metal or metal plated ground layer in said first module, and said frame has an inner periphery substantially the same as the outer periphery of said first module.