High-Isolation Leaky-Wave Array Antenna Based on CRLH-Metamaterial Implemented on SIW with ±30o Frequency Beam-Scanning Capability at Millimetre-Waves

Abstract

The paper presents a feasibility study on the design of a new metamaterial leaky-wave antenna (MTM-LWA) used in the construction of a 1 × 2 array which is implemented using substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) technology for millimetre-wave beamforming applications. The proposed 1 × 2 array antenna consists of two LWAs with metamaterial unit-cells etched on the top surface of the SIW. The metamaterial unit-cell, which is an E-shaped transverse slot, causes leakage loss and interrupts current flow over SIW to enhance the array’s performance. The dimensions of the LWA are 40 × 10 × 0.75 mm3. Mutual-coupling between the array elements is suppressed by incorporating a metamaterial shield (MTM-shield) between the two antennas in the array. The LWA operates over a frequency range of 55–65 GHz, which is corresponding to 16.66% fractional bandwidth. The array is shown to exhibit beam-scanning of ±30° over its operating frequency range. Radiation gain in the backward (−30°), broadside (0°), and forward (+30°) directions are 8.5 dBi, 10.1 dBi, and 9.5 dBi, respectively. The decoupling slab is shown to have minimal effect on the array’s performance in terms of impedance bandwidth and radiation specifications. The MTM-shield is shown to suppress the mutual coupling by ~25 dB and to improve the radiation gain and efficiency by ~1 dBi and ~13% on average, respectively.

Application of metamaterials for performance enhancement of planar antennas: A review

“…The coming into existence of metamaterials has encouraged researchers and scientists in the area of electromagnetic theory in relation to radiation and propagation phenomena towards the design and fabrication of devices for various applications such as couplers, [41][42][43] phaseshifters, 44,45 imaging systems, 46 radar, 47 satellite, 48,49 seismic protection, 50 absorbers, 51 lens, 52,53 filters, 54 sensors, 55 electromagnetic cloaks, 31,51 and antennas. [56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70] The metamaterial field also has research dimensions in materials science, acoustics, and thermodynamics 71 in addition to the electromagnetics prospect. In this work, emphasis has been given only for the application of metamaterial and its derivatives such as metasurface, artificial magnetic conductor (AMC), and frequency selective surface for performance enhancement of patch antenna.…”

Massive MIMO Systems: Present and Future

“…In realization of large-scale antenna arrays, we should pay attention to antenna manufacturing. Reference [24] developed Bayesian compressive sensing based planar array diagnostic tool for efficient and reliable testing. New antenna structures were designed; dual-polarized diamond-ring slot antenna array exhibiting wide bandwidth [25], and leaky-wave antenna array incorporating metamaterial shield [26] which can suppress the mutual coupling.…”

MOM/GA-Based Virtual Array for Radar Systems

“…In [19,20], an antenna array consisting of patches that were combined in series and/or in parallel arrangements to provide high directivity was introduced. Several papers have been introduced to address the problems of mutual coupling between elements and the radar cross section of the antenna array, as well as to provide high isolation between elements [21][22][23][24]. Vasanelli et al [23] introduced a low radar cross-section antenna array based on the use of an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) that was set around the series antenna to reduce the reflection in the direction of car fascia.…”

“…The AMC had the capability to eliminate reflected waves from the antenna. Furthermore, in the last few months, Alibakhshikenari et al used metamaterial unit cells [21] and metasurfaces [22,24] to reduce the mutual coupling between antenna elements to be compatible for radar applications.Most of the radars in this side use two transmitters with two unique radiation patterns to give the long-range radar (LRR) and medium-range radar (MRR) modes. However, the performance of this system is not efficient for automotive radar due to the switching performance (time response and losses) between the two modes.…”

“…The AMC had the capability to eliminate reflected waves from the antenna. Furthermore, in the last few months, Alibakhshikenari et al used metamaterial unit cells [21] and metasurfaces [22,24] to reduce the mutual coupling between antenna elements to be compatible for radar applications.…”