Abstract:
The demand for high-performance antennas in X-band applications, such as satellite
communication, radar systems, and 5G networks, has spurred extensive exploration into
advanced antenna technologies. Leaky-wave antennas using a liquid-based approach
represent a significant paradigm shift, offering remarkable advantages such as frequency
scanning, improved gain, and reduced side lobe levels. These attributes are crucial in
domains where dynamic beam steering is vital for reliable and efficient data transmission
and target detection. Conventional phased array antennas, although effective in achieving
high radiation power gain, rely on numerous phase shifters adjusted simultaneously for
beam steering. With the increase in number of phase shifters, the antenna's volume and
cost also increases. In this work, we provide a novel beamforming scheme that makes use
of leaky-wave antenna theory to achieve adaptive and efficient beamforming. Our
approach allows for complete beam steering utilizing water-filled tubes, while also greatly
reducing beam width and improving gain. We included a water-based steering technique
within the waveguide to direct the beam at different angles by adding water to circular
channels. We tried a number of prototypes with and without water filling, aiming for high
gain and narrow beam width in both planes, to guarantee the greatest performance. Our
findings demonstrate that liquid-based leaky-wave antennas can save costs and simplify
the system while improving operating flexibility and performance. The proposed design is
a step forward in X-band antenna technology, providing a scalable and financially viable
solution that overcomes the limitations of traditional phased array systems. This work paves the way for future improvements in antenna technology, which have the potential to
completely transform communication and radar systems
