Pattern shaping and synthesis of planar leaky-wave-based arrays for satellite communications

In this paper we present fast synthesis methods for planar leaky-wave antenna arrays for space applications. In the first part we describe a novel optimization procedure to synthesize the element pattern of 2-D leaky-wave antennas. In particular, the goal is to shape of a flat-topped beam to be used in antenna arrays for GEO satellites. Secondly, we introduce a synthesis method to design thinned leaky-wave-based phased arrays. An efficient analytical approach is used to take into account the mutual coupling during the optimization process.