Design of a D-band frequency scanning leaky-wave antenna

Details

Supervisors

Craeye, Christophe ; Lederer, Dimitri

Faculty

Ecole polytechnique de Louvain

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur civil électricien, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

enRecent research in radar technology has increasingly focused on achieving higher operating frequencies for improved resolution and system compactness. In this context, LWAs are promising candidates for frequency-scanning beam steering applications in the D-band (110–170 GHz). This work presents the design, simulation, and preliminary validation of a substrate-integrated waveguide LWA with transverse slots, operating from 125 to 145 GHz and interfaced with a perpendicular rectangular waveguide via a specifically designed transition. The antenna was developed through full-wave simulations in CST Studio Suite. An upscaled low-frequency prototype was fabricated and measured at the WELCOME laboratory at UCLouvain to enable experimental validation. Simulation results show a beam-scanning range of 65° from 126.6 to 140.5 GHz, with a realized gain varying between 5 and 15.7 dBi. Measurements on the prototype confirm the frequency-scanning behavior predicted by simulations. This study demonstrates an efficient LWA design suitable for D-band applications, supported by preliminary experimental validation.