Calculation of radiation from dielectric waveguide step discontinuities using a PEC approximation

It is demonstrated that the PEC (perfect electric conductor) approximation can be used to calculate the radiation patterns of the step discontinuities in planar dielectric waveguides. Although the results are given at discrete angles, interpolation can be used to obtain the entire pattern. Moreover, the larger the distance between the two PECs, the more modes one can sample and the more points of the radiation pattern one can obtain. The PEC approximation makes it possible to use a simple model to solve the discontinuity problems in open-type waveguides. It does not require complicated computations, but can provide accurate information about the dielectric waveguide discontinuities.<>