A Leaky-wave Antenna Based on Series-fed Slotted Patch Array and Transverse Stubs for K Band Radar Applications

This paper presents a microstrip-based leaky-wave antenna for K-band radar, consist of a series-fed slotted patch with transverse stub leakage cells. The antenna achieves backward-to-forward beam propagation by incorporating slots into the conventional series patch design. The addition of transverse stubs between patches effectively resolves the resulting open-stopband (OSB) issue. Operating across 18.6 to 29.6 GHz, the antenna supports continuous beam scanning with a high efficiency averaging 85% and a wide beam-scanning range of -67° to 20°. It maintains a gain of 13 to 16 dBi within its the operating range. The proposed antenna shows great potential as a wireless communication element for air monitoring and next-generation K-band radar applications.