Guiding and radiation characteristics of planar waveguides

Planar waveguides like microstrip and microslot have been used not only as waveguides but also for radiation purposes (microstrip antennas). Therefore, this paper tries to give a clear description of waveguide characteristics as well as radiation characteristics of planar waveguides. The differences between the several modes, i.e. the guided modes, the radiation modes and the leaky waves, are clarified. Moreover, computed results as well as experimental results of different mode characteristics are presented.