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Design of Flexible Conformal Beam-Scanning Leaky-Wave Antenna
Jiahao Liu1, Yiming Liu2, Shuang Ma1
1School of Electronic Information Engineering, Shenyang Aerospace University, Shenyang 110034, China.
Micromachines
|June 26, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a flexible conformal leaky-wave antenna (LWA) array using a novel composite substrate and spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) structure. The design enables stable, wide-angle beam scanning for conformal wireless communication systems.
Area of Science:
- Electromagnetics and Applied Physics
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Wireless Communication Technologies
Background:
- Flexible antennas are crucial for conformal wireless systems but often suffer from mechanical instability and sensitive beam-scanning.
- Conventional leaky-wave antennas (LWAs) struggle to maintain stable performance when conformed to curved surfaces.
- Spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) offer a promising avenue for miniaturization and enhanced wave confinement in antenna designs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a flexible conformal beam-scanning leaky-wave antenna (LWA) array.
- To integrate spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) structures for efficient wave transmission and radiation.
- To achieve stable radiation performance and wide-angle beam scanning on flexible substrates for Ku-band applications.
Main Methods:
- A flexible PI-ABS composite substrate was utilized for antenna fabrication.
- Periodically symmetric gradient linear metallic stubs and tapered radiating patches were employed to facilitate SSPP slow-wave transmission and -1st spatial harmonic radiation.
- Open-stopband (OSB) suppression was achieved simultaneously with efficient radiation.
- A four-element conformal array was designed and simulated/measured for performance validation.
Main Results:
- The proposed LWA array demonstrated efficient SSPP slow-wave transmission and -1st spatial harmonic radiation.
- Simultaneous suppression of open-stopband (OSB) was achieved.
- The flexible antenna maintained stable radiation performance under varying curvatures.
- Continuous beam scanning from -67° to 32° was realized.
- A peak gain of 16.5 dBi and radiation efficiency above 58% were achieved across the Ku-band.
Conclusions:
- The developed flexible conformal LWA array successfully integrates conformality, wideband beam scanning, and high radiation efficiency.
- The PI-ABS composite substrate and SSPP structure overcome the limitations of conventional flexible LWAs.
- This design offers a novel and effective solution for conformal wireless communication systems requiring agile beam steering.
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