Steerable leaky wave antenna capable of both forward and backward radiation
First Claim
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1. A method for leaky wave beam steering of an antenna in a backward direction relative to a conventional forward direction of propagation of the antenna, the method comprising:
- (a) disposing the antenna on a tunable impedance surface; and
(b) applying a non-uniform impedance function across the tunable impedance surface, which impedance function is periodic or nearly periodic, whereby surface waves in said tunable impedance surface are scattered into a direction that is determined by at least in part by said periodic or nearly periodic impedance function.
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Abstract
Leaky wave antenna beam steering that is capable of steering in a backward direction, as well as further down toward the horizon in the forward direction than was previously possible, and also directly toward zenith. The disclosed antenna and method involve applying a non-uniform impedance function across a tunable impedance surface in order to obtain such leaky wave beam steering.
107 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for leaky wave beam steering of an antenna in a backward direction relative to a conventional forward direction of propagation of the antenna, the method comprising:
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(a) disposing the antenna on a tunable impedance surface; and (b) applying a non-uniform impedance function across the tunable impedance surface, which impedance function is periodic or nearly periodic, whereby surface waves in said tunable impedance surface are scattered into a direction that is determined by at least in part by said periodic or nearly periodic impedance function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A steerable antenna having a desired propagation direction, said steerable antenna comprising:
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(a) a tunable impedance surface; (b) an antenna structure disposed on said tunable impedance surface, said antenna structure having a conventional forward direction of propagation when disposed on said tunable impedance surface when said surface has an uniform impedance pattern; and (c) wherein the impedance pattern of the tunable impedance surface assuming a cyclical pattern to steer the propagation direction of said steerable antenna. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for beam steering an antenna in a desired direction, the method comprising:
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(a) disposing the antenna on a tunable impedance surface; (b) launching a wave across the tunable impedance surface in response to driving the antenna; and (c) applying a cyclic impedance function across the tunable impedance surface whereby a wave which is launched across the surface in response to driving the antenna is scattered by said impedance function to said desired direction. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification