Single Layer sub-6 GHz Leaky Dynamic Metasurface Antenna with Wide Beam Coverage

Abstract

This work presents a dynamic metasurface antenna (DMA) for beamforming applications featuring a square complementary electric inductive-capacitive (cELC) resonator as the unit cell. The cELC unit cells are embedded in the top layer of a substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) in a diagonal arrangement, thereby showing minimum interactions while being placed in a compact topology. P-i-n diodes are mounted on either side of the unit cells to dynamically regulate the radiation response such that a binary distribution is generated for beamforming operation. The proposed design successfully radiates the signal at three specific directions 10°, 35°, and 60°, achieving an impressive broadside beam coverage of 124° (excluding a 9° null) in a single-layer architecture. The antenna has an operating frequency of 5.1 GHz with a realized gain of around 5.6 dBi. The antenna's performance has been rigorously validated through full-wave simulations and experimental measurements. With its wide beam coverage, efficient beam control and simple hardware architecture, this design holds strong potential for advanced sensing and communication applications. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.