Scanning leaky-wave antenna integrated with self-oscillating doubler

A new method which can enhance the scanning angle and elevate the operating frequency for active scanning leaky-wave antennas is proposed in this paper. We know that the characteristics and performance of scanning leaky-wave antennas are strongly dependent on the variation of the operating frequency within the leaky-mode region. The self-oscillating doubler without external oscillator sources provides double-frequency variation at the second-harmonic frequency instead of one-frequency variation at the fundamental frequency. Therefore, the antenna scanning range can be enhanced and the operating frequency can be elevated. The measured scanning angle of this antenna is 13 degrees which agrees well with the predicted 13.7 degrees and the data show that the frequency-scanning ability of the leaky-wave antenna using a self-oscillating doubler increases as predicted. This self-oscillating doubler design is very simple, and it not only can improve the scanning capability of the active leaky-wave antenna, but it is also very suitable for millimeter-wave active antenna design. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.