Discrete dipole approximation for simulation of unusually tapered leaky wave antennas

In this paper, Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA) is presented as a simulation tool for predicting the electromagnetic properties of one dimensional metasurface antennas and slotted waveguide antennas. The proposed method is verified by demonstrating excellent agreement between DDA predictions and that of a full-wave electromagnetic solver. This technique is especially attractive since it allows us to simulate and design metasurface antennas with unusual tapering and irises with unconventional geometries (e.g. metamaterial elements), in order to achieve the desired radiation characteristics, such as beamwidth and sidelobe level, while maintaining steering capabilities.