A Systematic Design Method for CRLH Periodic Structures in the Microwave to Millimeter-Wave Range

Bloch analysis in conjunction with a full-wave simulation is used in order to design a composite right/left-handed (CRLH) transmission line (TL). We analyze the parasitic components introduced by loading elements and inter-cell coupling, and present details to the compensation required in order to maintain the balanced state of the periodic TL. The method is shown to yield a useful tool for the design of CRLH periodic TLs up to millimeter-wave frequencies for structures with arbitrary metallization. The performance of the method is shown numerically at 26 and 77 GHz. Experimental verification is done at 26 GHz, comparing radiative properties, dispersion, and attenuation constant of a through-broadside scanning leaky-wave antenna.