Dual-beam microstrip leaky-wave array excited by aperture-coupling method

The paper describes the design of a microstrip leaky-wave array excited by the aperture-coupling technique. The microstrip first higher order leaky mode is employed as the radiation source. Separating the radiators from other components by ground planes provides an optimal design of radiators and other devices so that the inherent broadband, high gain and frequency-scanning properties of the leaky-wave antenna can be exploited. Four kinds of feeding arrangements to excite dual beams are experimented in K band. Markedly reducing the required elements compared to a patch-array for high gain design can simplify the complexity of the feeding layout. Versatile designs combining the merits of multilayer technology offer simplicity and efficient design for practical wireless applications.