Tunable Leaky Wave Antenna Based on Bidirectional Amplifier Enhanced Composite Right/Left Handed Transmission Line

Tunable leaky wave antenna (LWA) based on bidirectional amplifier enhanced composite right/left handed transmission line (CRLH TL) is proposed in this paper. Phase offset and current amplitude distribution of the LWA can be individually controlled by manipulating the CRLH TL and the biasing voltage of the bidirectional amplifier, respectively. While the CRLH TL controlled phase offset dictates the beam scanning angle, the bidirectional amplifier allows radiation pattern tunability. The directivity, radiated power, and main beam width tunability are experimentally verified by comparing the radiation performance of the proposed LWA in OFF (0V) and ON (0.9V) states.