Via-loaded Complementary Spline-based Periodic Leaky-wave Antenna for Broadband Radiation Coverage

In this research, a unique design technique of one dimensional printed periodic leaky-wave antenna for Ku-band applications is proposed. A unique unit cell is configured based on substrate integrated waveguide (SIV) transmission line that successfully mitigates the open stop-band (OSB) issues providing high gain and significantly improved cross-polar level. The unit cell is composed of a splitted resonant spline slot and two inductive posts to achieve a perfect balanced condition at broadside along with suppressed stop band by exciting n = −1 spatial harmonic. The proposed antenna exhibits a single fan beam that is capable of scanning the visible space from near backfire to near endfire through broadside with the scan range of −46° to +46° within the frequency sweep of 12.1 to 17.41 GHz. Additionally, the inclusion of gap in the Spline slot significantly pulls down the cross polar level better than −28 dB at broadside. The maximum gain of 16.26 dBi and directivity of 17.2 dB are achieved over the band of applications.