An integrated planar microwave antenna array with feeding by magnetostatic surface waves and electronic beam steering

Investigations are presented dealing with integrated substrate structures to excite and guide magnetostatic surface waves feeding a planar antenna array. An equivalent circuit model is utilized to describe surface wave feeding and radiation. It is shown that phase and amplitude distribution of the suggested integrated array can be controlled by simple methods. The amplitude results from the configuration of the surface wave transducers, whereas the phase of the individual radiation elements is tunable by applying an external magnetic bias field. 5 and 4-element arrays for S- and C-hand, resp., are realized and scan angles up to have been achieved.