Studies of a Leaky-Wave Phased Array Antenna for High-Power Microwave Applications

A high-power 1-D phased array of 1-D leaky-wave antennas (high-power leaky-wave phased array antenna) is proposed and investigated. This array antenna is characterized by a high efficiency, notable power capacity, and high phase speed. The antenna is primarily composed of six high-power phase shifters, a sectorial-waveguide power divider, and a leaky-wave array antenna. First, a novel phase shifter is designed to overcome the problems of traditional phase shifters with low power capacities, huge volumes, and slow phase-shift velocities. The experimental results show that a power capacity of 200 MW and a fast phase shift of 360° within 0.1 s can be achieved. A high phase-shift precision of 1.5° can be realized, and the tested insertion loss is less than 0.15 dB. Second, a sectorial-waveguide power divider with a uniform output amplitude and an equal phase is proposed to feed a 1-D array antenna. Third, a high-efficiency leaky-wave array antenna with a high-power handling capacity is designed. At 9.6 GHz, the experimental results show that the gain of the phased array antenna with a ±20° beam scanning range is between 30.3 and 33 dB. Its aperture efficiency is approximately 59%. In addition, the results of a high-power test show that this array antenna has a power capacity of more than 1 GW.