Novel 50–70 GHz compact PCB leaky-wave antenna with high broadside efficiency and low return loss

Abstract

Here, we propose a novel leaky-wave antenna operating in the V-band. The antenna provides high broadside efficiency and low return loss in the frequency range of operation from 50 to 70 GHz. The antenna consists of an array of substrate integrated waveguide fed dipoles and can be fabricated through cost-effective PCB processes. High peak directivities of over 20 dBi are obtained for a compact (4 × 80 mm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> ) array consisting of only 20 unit cells. The directivity is flat (+/-1 dB deviation) and can be further increased by enlarging the array. Furthermore the antenna provides over 40 deg of beam steering in the frequency range of operation.