Design of a Compact Omnidirectional Leaky-Wave Antenna Fed by Higher Order Mode

This article presents a novel leaky-wave antenna (LWA) based on a dielectric-filled rectangular waveguide (RWG) and fed by a higher order mode. The proposed quasi-uniform LWA has a compact configuration that is suitable for microwave applications, featuring the omnidirectional radiation patterns and low cross-polarization. In the frequency band of interest, the higher order mode, i.e., the TM
₁₁
mode, performs as a fast wave in the proposed quasi-uniform LWA, radiating via the transverse slots etched on the walls. The advantage of the TM
₁₁
mode for LWA applications is analyzed and demonstrated. This higher order mode is excited via a mode convertor from an inline coaxial line to the dielectric-filled RWG. For the reduction in sidelobe levels at high frequencies, −25 dB Taylor amplitude distribution is applied to the etched slots. The dielectric-filled LWA with the inline coaxial feeding is fabricated and measured. The measurement is consistent with the simulation, showing frequency-driven beam-scanning capability with low cross-polarization in the elevation plane. The simulated and measured radiation patterns in the azimuth plane illustrate the omnidirectional radiation patterns and thus confirm the radiating performance of the TM
₁₁
mode in the proposed LWA. The advantages of the scanned beams and omnidirectional radiations are promising for radar systems.