Design of a Radiation Pattern Reconfigurable Leaky Wave Antenna

This work introduces an innovative single-layer reconfigurable half-width microstrip leaky-wave antenna (HWMLWA). Operating at a fixed frequency of 4.4 GHz, the radiation pattern of this antenna structure can be digitally controlled by using a bias voltage. Hence, obtaining high impedance and less gain variations. This periodic HW-MLWA is comprised of seven control unit cells (CUC), containing double patches with two diodes that act as switches and connect the patch to the ground. Switching the states of CUC changes the orientation of the major lobe. A double gap capacitor is either connected or disconnected with the help of a switch to control the radiation without varying the frequency. The configurable HW-MLWA prototype was analyzed, presented, and built. The beam scanning angle of the planned antenna is 8° to 46°. This antenna has a peak gain of 12.47 dBi at 4.4GHz and 92.4 percent efficiency.