Beam-Scanning Continuous Transverse Stub Antenna Fed by a Ridged Waveguide Slot Array

A continuous transverse stub (CTS) array antenna is presented for beam-scanning applications. Rotatable ridged waveguide slot array (RWSA) is used as a line source to feed a CTS array for the first time. The proposed RWSA has easy design, compact structure, light weight, and easy sidelobe control. The CTS array and RWSA can be designed and optimized separately. A good beam-scanning capability of ±30° is achieved by rotating the RWSA at almost the same angles, thus obtaining a fine beam-scanning resolution. The measured aperture efficiency exceeds 60% in the entire beam-scanning range. Therefore, the proposed antenna can be a good alternative for radar systems and satellite communication terminals, which require low cost and high gain.