A Frequency-Scanning Antenna With Wide Angle and High Scanning Rate Based on Coupled Characteristic Modes

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Abstract
This paper presents a low-profile compact cavity frequency scanning antenna that utilizes coupled characteristic modes to enable wide-angle beam scanning. The core advantage of this design lies in its utilization of characteristic mode analysis (CMA) to distinctly identify and excite both E-dipole and M-dipole modes within the structure. By integrating these modes into adjacent frequency bands and leveraging their coupling relationships and superposition, the array achieves continuous cross-quadrant scanning. By controlling the mode spectrum distribution through adjustable slots and coupling windows, the proposed antenna realizes a $103^{\circ }$ scanning range ($-60^{\circ }$ to $+43^{\circ }$) within a 7% bandwidth, a peak gain of 9.26 dBi, radiation efficiency of 77.6%, and a scanning rate of $15^{\circ }/\%$. This design overcomes the quadrant limitation of single-mode arrays and avoids high complexity, demonstrating the superiority of CMA for wide-angle frequency scanning antennas.
Funding Information
  • National Natural Science Foundation (62371034)
  • Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2023JBZY018)

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