Effect of Ag electrode lattice in a commercial space solar cell on a patch antenna integrated on top of it

Abstract

A solar cell normally has a conductive electrode lattice embedded with its semiconductor layer. In space solar cells, in particular, those lattices are commonly made from Ag and are between the layer of solar cell junctions and cover glass. This paper examines the effect of those Ag lattice in space solar cells on the patch antenna integrated on the cover glass. It is found that as solar cell is a lossy material at GHz frequency range, the lattice helps to shield the antenna from the lossy layer and hence minimize its gain reduction due to the solar cells underneath.