US Patent 7782268 Antenna assembly

An antenna assembly for a cellular telecommunications system has an antenna having an array (1) of radiating elements, for example patches, situated in front of a panel (2) having an electrically conductive face. An amplifier (6) for amplifying RFS signals received by the antenna is situated on the opposite side of the panel (2) from the radiating elements. The amplifier is situated at least partially within the signal shadow cast by the panel (2) so that the latter shields the radiating elements from the amplifier. The amplifier can thus be situated close to the antenna without adversely affecting the performance of the latter.