Active substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) antenna with phase-shifterless beam-scanning capabilities

A novel active antenna array, based on substrate integrated waveguide technology, is designed and demonstrated. The array is based on cavity-backed antenna oscillators, and the coupling is obtained by properly connecting the cavities. Accurate control of both amplitude and phase of the coupling is achieved. The most significant result of this novel array is the possibility to obtain beam-scanning capabilities without using any phase shifter. Based on the dynamic properties of coupled oscillator arrays, a beam scan of +/−20 degrees is demonstrated, simply by tuning the oscillation-frequency control voltages.