Composite sector-beam single-conductor leaky-wave antenna for base-station applications

A switchable sector-beam single-conductor leaky-wave antenna array is proposed. First, we use the spectral domain approach to acquire the propagation constant of the single-conductor structure. Then we use a radiation pattern synthesis method to estimate the radiation pattern of the sectorial antenna array. Two sector-beam single-conductor leaky-wave antenna arrays with half power beamwidths (HPBWs) of 70° and 90°respectively are designed. Using an RF single-pole four-throw (SP4T) switch, the mainbeam of the switchable antenna array could cover the whole 360° azimuth plane. Besides, we use a half wavelength meandering strip to reduce the back lobe of the single-conductor leaky-wave antenna.