An active microstrip antenna for satellite communication

An active microstrip antenna for the satellite communication is developed. A varactor-tuned oscillator HEMT VCO, an active source, integrates with an X-band two-terminal asymmetrically feeding microstrip leaky-wave antenna on the same plane. This approach creates a dual-beam radiation pattern and has the advantages of multi-direction and suppression of the reflected wave caused by the open end of the radiating element, as compared to a traditionally single-terminal feeding leaky-wave antenna. Measured results on the experimental antenna show that the total scanning angle of two beams of this antenna configuration is approximately 44°. The maximum effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) are close to 17.5 dBm for the right beam and 16.67 dBm for the left beam at 10.4 GHz, and the power difference between the two beams is less than 1 dB. An asymmetrically beam-scanning leaky-wave antenna is also shown