Analysis for a dielectrically filled parallel-plate waveguide with finite number of periodic slots in its upper wall as a leaky-wave antenna

A dielectrically filled parallel-plate waveguide (PPW) with finite number of periodic slots in its upper plate is analyzed as a leaky-wave antenna structure for E-polarization case. The characteristics of the finite periodic structure such as input impedance matching, antenna efficiency, gain, and radiation pattern are investigated. In particular, phenomena such as total reflection and transmission occurring in the practical finite periodic structure, associated with the coupling point and the real solution (propagation constant), respectively, in the fast wave region observed for the infinite open periodic structure case, are described in detail.