A Compact Conformal Stub-Loaded Long Slot Leaky-Wave Antenna With Wide Beamwidth

This letter presents a compact, conformal, stub-loaded longitudinal slot leaky-wave antenna at Ku-band. The antenna is designed with a short length of 2.75λ at the center frequency. The effect of flange length on the transverse plane half-power beamwidth (HPBW) is studied. The design of leaky-wave antenna within this short length and flange studies on transverse plane HPBW are the novelty of this letter. Antenna design, dispersion curves, and a comparison of the simulation and measurement results are presented. The radiation efficiency of 95%, a gain of 8 dBi, a tilt angle of 30°, and longitudinal plane HPBW of 42° are achieved. Transverse plane HPBW of 168° and 4 dB beamwidth of 180° are achieved, which aids to achieve an omnidirectional pattern using two antennas when placed in the cylindrical shell with a 180° angular separation.