Dual-Beam Leaky-Wave Antenna Array With Capability of Fixed-Frequency Beam Switching

Abstract

A novel fixed-frequency beam switchable dual-beam antenna array is presented, which consists five dual-beam leaky-wave antenna (LWA) elements designed on substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) and integrated together on a common substrate. The LWAs work on fundamental wave and-1th spatial harmonic wave simultaneously and excite two symmetrical radiation beams in forward and backward direction respectively. In order to realize beam switching, three voltage-driven radio frequency chip switches (CSW-RFs) are used and integrated behind the antenna aperture. Since the periodic slot in LWA causes open stopband at the operating frequency, so the staggered radius amplification of local vias in the via walls of SIW is performed to suppress the open stopband. In addition, electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) structures, capable of reducing coupling between neighboring antenna elements, are embedded in between LWAs. The proposed dual-beam antenna array with beam switching capability between ±35, ±45, ±55, ±65 and ±75 degrees at 28 GHz are simulated, fabricated and measured. Both analysis and measurement results show that the proposed antenna array exhibits an excellent performance, which can be used in fixed-frequency beamswitching millimeter wave communication. INDEX TERMS Leaky wave antenna (LWA), dual-beam, open stopband suppression, beam switching, radio frequency chip switch.

A Review of Reconfigurable Leaky-Wave Antennas

“…Implementing an array of dual-beam reconfigurable SIW LWAs provides a wide beam-scanning range at Ka-band [103]. Each LWA consists of several transverse slots, as illustrated in Fig.…”

“…The switching was achieved by implementing three RF switch chips on the backside of the array. Using electromagnetic bandgaps (EBGs) between array elements reduced the mutual coupling as well [103].…”

“…The reported antennas in [102] and [107] have the widest beam-scanning range with a relatively small gain variation. The investigated antennas in [96], [98], and [103] radiate with the highest gain. In comparison, [92] and [106] have the smallest gain variation.…”

Reconfigurable SIW-Based Leaky-Wave Antenna Composed of Longitudinal Cells

“…A comparison has been made in Table 3 [17], [19], [20], [24], and [25]. The beam-scanning range of our proposed reconfigurable SIW LWA is broader than [16] and [17].…”

“…The beam-scanning range of our proposed reconfigurable SIW LWA is broader than [16] and [17]. The larger beam-scanning ranges of [19], [20], [24], and [25] are because of the different structures that were implemented. The reported structure in [19] is a corrugated SIW antenna.…”