Wide scanning angle LWA based on DIL with H-shaped grooves

A dielectric image line (DIL)-based leaky wave antenna (LWA) with H-shaped grooves is proposed in this paper. By periodically carving a set of H-shaped grooves in the ground of the DIL, infinite space harmonics are excited, and the proposed antenna works with n = −1 order mode. The H-shaped radiator can effectively eliminate open stopband (OSB). Over the operating band from 11.1 GHz to 15 GHz, the beam of the proposed antenna scans widely from −72° to 31° (including the broadside) with the realized gain from 9.7 dBi to 12.9 dBi. A prototype is fabricated and measured, which testifies the design theory and the simulation results.