2-D periodic leaky-wave antennas-part I: metal patch design

Abstract

The far-field radiation characteristics of a two-dimensional (2-D) periodic leaky-wave antenna (LWA) constructed from a periodic array of metal patches on a grounded dielectric substrate is investigated. A simple dipole source is used as the excitation. Reciprocity together with a periodic spectral-domain method of moments is used to calculate the far-field pattern. Design rules for the scan angle, the substrate dielectric constant, and the periodicity are provided. Finally, a comparison of the 2-D periodic LWA and a dielectric-layer LWA is given to show the similar performance of the two antennas.