Typical L-Band antennas as used in satellite user terminals exhibit circular polarization, hemispherical radiation patterns and relatively low gain.

In applications where tight beams are required a set of higher gain patches can be deployed. Since a higher antenna gain goes hand in hand with a higher directivity, some form of element switching is usually required.

These antennas are typically equipped with a 2 to 10 Watt SSPA, an LNA and diplexer or RF switch.