Fabry-Perot Cavity Antennas: The Leaky-Wave Perspective [Electromagnetic Perspectives]

A tutorial overview is presented on the principles of operation, physical modeling, and design procedures for the class of planar radiators known as Fabry-Perot cavity antennas (FPCAs), with an emphasis on their characterization as 2D leaky-wave antennas (LWAs). After recalling their principal radiative features, alternative electromagnetic (EM) models are discussed, helping us to gain physical insight into the involved radiation mechanisms from different viewpoints. The leaky-wave approach appears particularly useful in this connection; it provides the framework for the subsequent review of design guidelines. Supplementary material that accompanies this article on IEEE Xplore addresses the main recent advances in the field, including wideband, reconfigurable, and array-based designs.