A leaky-wave antenna for beam steering in forward and backward directions

A half-width microstrip leaky-wave antenna (HW-MLWA) is designed with forward (broadside-endfire) and backward (broadside-backfire) scanning capability. One feed and 50 Ω load are connected at each end of the radiating element with a simple feed network and controlled switches that allow the antenna to scan in both forward and backward directions. The main beam is steered at any operating frequency by changing the admittance between the free edge of the radiating element and the ground. This is done by connecting 30 lumped capacitors (1 pF each) to the free edge of the radiating element with a total of 30 switches and vias. The antenna can scan a range of 34° in both forward and backward directions.