Finite element-boundary integral simulation of a conformal microstrip leaky-wave antenna

Microstrip leaky-wave antennas offer an attractive wide bandwidth alternative to microstrip patch antennas with the caveat involving pattern control. Leaky-wave antennas, by their nature, will steer the main-lobe of the radiation pattern as the operating frequency is changed. Therefore, although the bandwidth of leaky-wave antennas is attractive, ensuring a fixed angle of radiation independent of the operating frequency, within the leaky-wave region of operation, is challenging.This is especially true for microstrip leaky-wave antennas that are conformally mounted on a curved surface, such as a circular cylinder. In this paper, a microstrip leaky-wave antenna is investigated and particular attention is paid to the radiation properties of the antenna. The antenna is simulated with a finite element-boundary integral formulation that makes use of a dyadic Green´s function for an infinite, metallic, right circular cylinder.