Microstrip leaky wave antennas offer the potential for a low-profile, wide-bandwidth antenna element that can be arrayed if desired. An effort has commenced at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop an array of these thin profile novel radiators in order to enhance efficiency and bandwidth. Understanding the effects of coupling and propagation effects of parasitic elements in an array environment is an essential stepping stone in this process.
Abstract:A new antenna is proposed based on a structure first constructed by Menzel [1] that utilizes the leaky wave phenomena of the first higher order mode. This work seeks to determine the effect on performance of the antenna due to varying geometries. Standard antenna range far-field and near-field measurements are not sensitive enough to extract the propagation constant. A numerical simulation was thus developed using the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method to extract the propagation constant. The simulation was validated with published analytical data as well as measured data.
Printed leaky-wave antennas offer the potential for a low-profile, wide-bandwidth antenna element that can be arrayed if desired. Microstrip leaky-wave antennas rely on the suppression of the familiar 0 EH mode and the propagation of the radiating 1 EH mode. It is well-known that above a critical frequency, this leaky-wave will propagate with little attenuation and that the phase difference between the two radiating edges of the microstrip leads to radiation. However, due to the limits of installation area, such antennas must be terminated in a manner that reduces back reflection. If this is not done, a standing wave is established on the antenna limiting its utility as a leaky-wave antenna in terms of front-to-back ratio and bandwidth. In this paper, the hybrid finite element-boundary integral method is used to investigate an antenna termination scheme involving the use of resistive sheet extensions to the antenna. It will be shown that such a termination increases the front-to-back ratio and usable bandwidth of the antenna as compared to an antenna without such termination.
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