Embedded surface wave antenna with improved frequency bandwidth and radiation performance

摘要

Embedded surface wave antenna elements incorporating different dielectric materials or other features are provided. The different dielectric materials can arranged adjacent a feed, to absorb energy that can cause undesirable reflections in the antenna element. In addition or alternatively, different dielectric materials can be arranged to alter the velocity of energy through the antenna element, and to control or attenuate the formation of nulls in the far field at angles of interest. The control or attenuation of nulls in the far field at angles of interest can further be controlled through contouring an antenna element ground plane in a lens region of the antenna element. A buried feed arrangement is also described.