Patent ID: 8294615

Claim:
A transmit and/or receive array antenna (AR) comprising: an array (R) of sub-arrays (SR) of at least one radiating element (ER) and control means (Cm, MFF) suitable for controlling the amplitude and/or the phase of radiofrequency signals to be transmitted or received in the form of waves by each of said sub-arrays (SR) so that they transmit or receive signals according to at least one chosen radiating pattern, wherein said sub-arrays (SR) comprise a mean number of radiating elements (ER) which increases from a center of said array (R) to a periphery of the array (R), at least one of the sub-arrays (SR) having an asymmetrical shape and the sub-arrays (SR) are arranged with respect to one another in an arrangement constituting an irregular mesh offering pattern sidelobes of low intensity and a high gain in a favored direction, a portion of said sub-arrays (SRS), termed substitute and installed at chosen locations, are used only in the event of failure of at least one other portion of said sub-array (SRP), and the chosen locations are arranged so that the chosen radiating pattern is substantially unchanged, while amplifiers connected to each subarray all have the same gain and output power.