Software tool for the leaky-mode analysis of waveguides loaded with frequency selective surfaces

We present an analysis procedure to obtain the modal dispersion curves of complex structures based on the introduction of metallodielectric frequency-selective surfaces (FSS) inside rectangular waveguides excited with TE0 modes. This type of structures can be used to conceive novel Electromagnetic-Band Gap (EBG) waveguides and low-profile high-gain leaky-wave antennas (LWAs). The analysis technique is divided in several steps, which have been implemented in a software tool using MATLAB®, and which are explained in detail in this work. The advantages and limitations of the proposed method are also described. Comparisons with full-wave simulations are presented to validate this analysis tool.