Compact High Gain Periodic Leaky-Wave Endfire Antenna Array

A compact high-gain periodic leaky-wave endfire antenna array is proposed in this paper using a dual-degree-offreedom design method and an alternating unit structure. First, this paper presents a dual-degree-of-freedom design method featuring independent design of the feedline and units. This method increases the design flexibility of the antenna and achieves a more uniform radiation aperture by coupling the energy from two paths through the antenna units, resulting in a compact structure, high gain, and high gain-to-length ratio. Secondly, the antenna is designed on a substrate, which simplifies the processing and assembly of the antenna. Furthermore, by utilizing an alternating unit structure, the phase constant of the antenna meets the conditions for endfire radiation, thereby enabling the realization of an endfire radiation pattern. Finally, the simulated results demonstrate that the proposed antenna achieves a maximum gain of 15.8 dBi and a gain-to-length ratio of 6.8. To sum up, the proposed antenna has the merits of compact structure, high gain, high gain-to-length ratio, and easy assembly.