Mechanical Beam Scanning Microstrip Crank-Line Antenna Loaded Movable Dielectric

This paper describes a beam scanning antenna loading a movable dielectric plate on a microstrip crank-line antenna. This antenna uses the mechanical system that has the characteristic of an easy structure as well as low cost. The beam direction of the proposed antenna changes according to the phase shift of the microstrip line moving the dielectric plate over the line. The change in the guide wavelength at the quasi-millimeter wave band (20 GHz) was measured when moving the dielectric plate. The possibility of the beam scan of the antenna is shown. The proposed antenna was fabricated and the antenna characteristics were measured. A possible beam scanning range of 31.8 degrees was confirmed by moving the plate.