Modeling and PCB Implementation of Standing Leaky-Wave Antennas Incorporating Edge Reflection for Broadside Radiation Enhancement

This paper presents the analysis and PCB design of a standing leaky wave antenna for optimal broadside radiation. The edge reflection effects are emphasized as they may affect the resultant field distribution, and hence lead to altered radiation patterns and broadside directivity. Analytical expressions of the resultant field distribution and far-field patterns are derived as a function of the edge reflection. The proposed model was validated by a full-wave simulation on a center-fed microstrip leaky wave antenna. Parametric study showed that the broadside radiation of a standing leaky wave antenna can be significantly influenced by the edge reflection coefficients, including magnitude and phase. The proposed model of edge reflection effects was experimentally verified using a compact leaky wave antenna implemented on a thin PCB with lumped capacitors placed at the edges to enhance broadside gain.