Radiation characteristics of a leaky-wave dielectric loaded helix antenna for beam scanning

In this paper, first time, we present the analytical, computational and experimental characteristics of a Leaky mode dielectric loaded helix antenna (LWDHA), exhibiting large scanning and high radiation efficiency. An analytical formulation is reported that utilizes electromagnetic potential theory coupled with polarization current in the dielectric medium. A unique way has been adopted for computing the amount of radiated electric field arising due to dielectric and helix separately. The analytical characteristics are validated by designing an antenna in Leaky mode configuration using CST Microwave Computational software and by characterizing it in the laboratory. The fabricated antenna has an axial length of 4.33λ0, (λ0 is the wavelength of free space at the center frequency, i.e. 6.5 GHz), wide functional beam scanning range up to 110°, omnidirectional radiation in the azimuthal plane and high radiation efficiency (98%). In comparison with other reported Leaky wave antennas, the proposed antenna shows advantageous characteristics of the simple structure of compact length and fulfills the growing demand for the miniaturization and integration of frequency-dependent devices.