Methods and devices for configuring antenna arrays

1. An antenna array comprising:

a plurality of co-planar first antenna elements arranged in a planar sub-array, the planar sub-array configured to operate at a first power level; and

at least one non-planar second antenna element configured to rotate relative to said planar sub-array, the at least one non-planar second antenna element configured to operate at a second power level, the second power level greater than the first power level.

2. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-planar antenna element is configured to rotate relative to said planar sub-array at an angle in the range of 10 to 70 degrees.

3. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein said sub-array is configured in a substantially vertical planar orientation to direct a radiated beam toward a horizon.

4. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein said sub-array comprises eight co-planar antenna elements.

5. The antenna array of claim 1 , further comprising:

a power control section operable to supply a substantially same, first RF signal having the first power level to the planar sub-array, and supply a second RF signal having the second power level to the at least one non-planar second antenna element.

6. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein the second power level is six times more than the first power level.

7. The antenna array of claim 1 , further comprising a tilt control system operable to rotate the at least one non-planar antenna element.

8. The antenna array of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical steering control system operable to electrically steer a main beam downwards by an amount corresponding to the upwards tilt of the array.

9. The antenna array of claim 8 , wherein the electrical steering control system is further operable to electrically steer the main beam over a range of 0-20 degrees.

10. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein said at least one non-planar second antenna element is configured to, while energized, fill in at least a portion of a top null in an emission pattern of the planar sub-array to support air-to-ground (ATG) communication.

11. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein the second power level is up to ten times greater than the first power level.

12. A method for configuring an antenna array comprising:

arranging a plurality of co-planar first antenna elements in a planar sub-array and configuring the planar sub-array to operate at a first power level; and

configuring at least one non-planar antenna element to rotate relative to said planar sub-array and operate at a second power level greater than the first power level.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising configuring the at least one non-planar second antenna element to rotate relative to said planar sub-array at an angle in the range of 10-70 degrees.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising arranging the co-planar elements of the sub-array in a substantially vertical planar orientation to direct a radiated beam toward a horizon.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein said sub-array comprises eight co-planar antenna elements.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

supplying a substantially same, first RF signal having the first power level to each antenna element of the planar sub-array, and supplying a second RF signal having the second power level to the at least one non-planar second antenna element.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second power level is six times more than the first power level.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second power level is up to ten times greater than the first power level.