Two-dimensional full-hemisphere frequency scanning array based on metamaterial leaky wave antennas and feed networks

This paper presents a novel two-dimensional (2-D) frequency scanning antenna array that can exhibit a full-hemisphere coverage of radiation beams. The proposed 2-D frequency scanning antenna array utilizes transmission-line based microwave metamaterials (MTMs) to realize both leaky wave antennas and antenna array feed networks. By engineering the dispersion of both metamaterial leaky wave antennas and metamaterial feed networks, the proposed passive 2-D MTM antenna array is able to perform one-to-one frequency-space mapping and beamforming over the entire full-hemisphere without using any phase shifters or mixers.