Zigzag microstrip leaky-wave antenna mimicking wave propagation in metallic waveguides

This paper proposes a zigzag microstrip leaky-wave antenna mimicking the zigzaging wave propagation in hollow metallic waveguides. It is shown that a zigzaging line shape increases the phase velocity of the second space harmonic of the quasi-TEM mode and hence allows this mode to leaky-wave radiation. Moreover, coupling this mode to the higher leaky-wave mode leads to dual beam scanning. A design example is provided to illustrate the principle. Both backward and forward beam scanning radiation is observed from the simulated radiation patterns.