Multi-beam leaky wave pillbox antenna for millimetre-wave applications

This work proposes a novel multi-beam leaky-wave pillbox antenna. The antenna system is based on three main parts: feeding part, quasi-optical system and radiating part. The radiating and input parts are placed in two different double grounded substrates connected by a quasi-optical system. Each part of the antenna structure can be optimized independently, thus facilitating and speeding up the complete antenna design. The quasi-optical system is made by a pin-made integrated parabola and several coupling slots, and is used to shape and focus the energy coming from the input part to the radiating part. The latter consists of a printed lealy-wave antenna: an array of slots etched on the uppermost metal layer. Seven pinmade integrated horns are placed in the focal plane of the integrated parabola to radiate seven beams in the far field. The proposed antenna is suitable for low-cost printed circuit board fabrication process and its low profile, compactness and efficiency make it a very promising solution for applications in the millimetre-wave range.