Abstract
In this paper, a class of single-layered multifunctional leaky-wave antennas (LWAs) with flexibly engineered radiation and filtering characteristics are proposed and demonstrated for microwave and millimeter-wave applications. Radiating discontinuities (RDs) exhibiting multiple resonances while particularly possessing flexible model-control capability are exploited to accomplish such design freedoms and multifunctionalities of LWAs. By properly engineering the resonance characteristics of RDs under the mode-control principle, the attenuation constant of relevant LWAs can not only be freely tailored for diverse beamwidth/directivity requirements, but also simultaneously maintain a flat frequency response for radiation stability. Meanwhile, controllable filtering behaviors can be obtained as well by the LWAs thanks to the transmission zeros introduced by resonances. Consequently, both the radiation and filtering performances of LWAs can be adequately tailored by taking advantage of the mode-control capability of RDs. Under this design concept, two types of LWAs based on substrate-integrated waveguide and microstrip techniques are respectively developed for different system integration platforms. The substrate-integrated waveguide LWA whose unit cells consist of different longitudinal slots is firstly examined. Additionally, the microstrip LWA, which depends on stub-loaded resonators, is further investigated. The proposed two LWAs are all with flexible engineered electrical behaviors, single-layer, low-cost, and easy integration; they may be a potential candidate for various system applications such as 5G communication and Internet of Vehicles.
Highlights
INTRODUCTIONReferred to as quasi-uniform Leaky-wave antennas (LWAs) [3]-[9], while others employing the higher-order (e.g., -1st-order) counterparts are termed periodic LWAs [10]-[24]
Leaky-wave antennas (LWAs) have been well-known for the unique frequency-driven beam-scanning capability, thanks to which they may find potential in system applications such as wireless communications, real-time spectrogram analyzers, and automotive radar sensors [1]-[2]
Different from the abovementioned classifications that are conventionally based on the radiating harmonics or geometry, LWAs, can be classified into two basic groups from the perspective of resonance behaviors of radiating discontinuities (RDs), i.e., single-mode resonator (SMR) and multimode resonator (MMR) [24]
Summary
Referred to as quasi-uniform LWAs [3]-[9], while others employing the higher-order (e.g., -1st-order) counterparts are termed periodic LWAs [10]-[24]. A well-designed LWA for potentially practical use should simultaneously have some desirable merits and functionalities, e.g., adequate design freedoms and flexibilities of electrical characteristics (radiation and circuit performances), low-cost, easy fabrication and integration, etc To be specific, it is of great significance and necessity for an LWA that can be customized in terms of its beamwidth/directivity to meet different practical specifications. Practical industrial significance of LWAs such as low-cost and easy fabrication/integration properties should be simultaneously taken into account aimed for mass-production In this work, such kind of LWAs, taking advantage of the flexible mode-control principle of RDs and simple single-layer PCB processing, are developed for microwave and millimeterwave system applications. Due to the multifold benefits such as flexibly engineered radiation and filtering characteristics, single-layer, low-cost, and easy fabrication/integration, the proposed LWAs may find potentials in practical applications such as the 5G communication and IoV
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