Non-uniform description of short CRLH Leaky Wave Antenna with the Generalized Array Factor Approach

Radiation-patterns of short uniform CRLH LWA of various lengths have been computed. They show differences from the “array factor approach” predictions which cannot be explained by this model. Better results are achieved if we consider non uniform distributions of the leakage and propagation constants along the line. Non uniform distributions are determined by an empirical method based on the generalized array factor. The origin of this phenomenon is discussed and compared to the case of small array antennas.