Multiband antenna and slotted ground plane therefore

1. A multiband antenna comprising:

a ground plane having at least one periphery, at least one non-radiative slot being formed along said at least one periphery;

wherein said at least one periphery comprises a first longitudinal periphery and a second longitudinal periphery,

and said ground plane comprises a central planar portion having fixed acutely angled edges, said fixed acutely angled edges comprising the first longitudinal periphery and the second longitudinal periphery;

wherein a location of the at least one non-radiative slot on the at least one periphery and a length of the at least one non-radiative slot widen the second beam width,

and said at least one non-radiative slot comprises a first multiplicity of non-radiative slots formed along said first longitudinal periphery and a second multiplicity of non-radiative slots formed along said second longitudinal periphery;

a first plurality of radiating elements mounted on said ground plane adjacent to said at least one periphery and radiating in a first frequency band and having a first beam width; and

a second plurality of radiating elements mounted on said ground plane adjacent to said at least one periphery and radiating in a second frequency band, said second frequency band being higher than said first frequency band, and having a second beam width.

2. A multiband antenna according to claim 1 , wherein each one of said first and second multiplicities of non-radiative slots comprises at least a single row of slots.

3. A multiband antenna according to claim 2 , wherein said at least single row of slots comprises two parallel rows of slots.

4. A multiband antenna according to claim 1 , wherein said first plurality of radiating elements comprises a plurality of dual-polarized dipole radiating elements.

5. A multiband antenna according to claim 4 , wherein said second plurality of radiating elements comprises a plurality of dual-polarized dipole radiating elements.

6. A multiband antenna according to claim 5 , wherein said first and second pluralities of radiating elements are of the same type.

7. A multiband antenna according to claim 5 , wherein said first and second pluralities of radiating elements comprise different types of radiating elements.

8. A multiband antenna according to claim 5 , wherein said second plurality of radiating elements operates over a frequency range of 1710-2700 MHz.

9. A multiband antenna according to claim 4 , wherein said first plurality of radiating elements operates over a frequency range of 690-960 MHz.

10. A multiband antenna according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one non-radiative slot has a negligible influence on said first beam width.

11. A multiband antenna according to claim 10 , wherein said first beam width is equal to or greater than 60°.

12. A multiband antenna according to claim 11 , wherein said second beam width is equal to or greater than 65°.

13. A multiband antenna according to claim 1 , and also comprising a dielectric element mounted on said ground plane and overlying said second plurality of radiating elements.

14. A multiband antenna according to claim 13 , wherein a plurality of conductive isolation strips is formed on said dielectric element.

15. A multiband antenna according to claim 13 , wherein said dielectric element comprises a generally rectangular element having a pair of wing-like extensions protruding therefrom.

16. A multiband antenna according to claim 15 , wherein a thickness of said pair of wing-like extensions is greater than a thickness of said generally rectangular element.

17. A multiband antenna according to claim 1 , wherein said multiband antenna is housed by a radome.