An Efficient and Simple Analytical Model for Analysis of Propagation Properties in Impedance Waveguides

In this paper propagation properties of a parallel-plate waveguide with tunable artificial impedance surfaces as sidewalls are studied both analytically and numerically. The impedance surfaces comprise an array of patches over a dielectric slab with embedded metallic vias. The tunability of surfaces is achieved with varactors. Simple design equations for tunable artificial impedance surfaces as well as dispersion equations for the TE and TM modes are presented. The propagation properties are studied in three different regimes: a multi-mode waveguide, a single-mode waveguide, and below-cutoff waveguide. The analytical results are verified with numerical simulations.