An Electronically Switchable Leaky Wave Antenna

We report an electronically switchable dielectric leaky wave antenna. The main beam angle can be electronically steered using p-i-n diodes. The diodes are used as switches to control the radiation from two sets of gratings with different periods, thereby switching the main beam angle. Beam steering is achieved at a single fixed frequency; no frequency sweeping is necessary. A microwave prototype demonstrates a 35 change in beam direction at 3.5 GHz. Measured antenna patterns agree with theoretical predictions. This approach should be scalable to millimeter-wave frequencies using diodes monolithically integrated on a semiconductor waveguide.