US Patent 9692125 High gain antenna structure for beam scanning

Antenna structures and methods of operating the same are described. One antenna structure having a stacked patch antenna including a first patch structure disposed in a first plane and a second patch structure disposed in a second plane, a first parasitic patch antenna that is coplanar with the second patch structure, and a second parasitic patch antenna that is coplanar with the second patch structure. The first patch structure includes a first substrate with a ground plane and a first patch element. The second patch structure includes a second substrate with a second patch element. The first parasitic patch antenna is disposed adjacent a first side of the second patch structure in the second plane. The second parasitic patch antenna is disposed adjacent a second side of the second patch structure in the second plane.