Design of Compact Antenna Array for MIMO Implementation Using Characteristic Mode Analysis for 5G NR and Wi-Fi 6 Applications
Kumud Ranjan Jha, Nishu Rana, Satish K. Sharma
Abstract
In this paper, we present a compact antenna for 5G new radio (NR) and Wi-Fi 6 applications. Using characteristic mode analysis (CMA), two orthogonal modes have been separated and then a gapcoupled shaped feed-line has been used to excite the radiator. An open stub is added to achieve the wide operating bandwidth of the antenna. The size of a single antenna element and the 1×2 array-unit (AU) are 20×21.5 mm2 and 40×21.5 mm2, respectively. The operating and fractional bandwidths (FBW) of the AU are 5.18-7.71GHz and 39.25%, respectively. The proposed AU is used to develop a number of radiating element-independent multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas comprising of 2AUs, 4AUs, and 8AUs with identical electrical characteristics and good isolation (I).18.8 dB. All the AUs have realized gain 3.0 dBi, and the total antenna efficiency 70% making it suitable for the single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) and multiple users MIMO (MU-MIMO) needed for Wi-Fi 6 applications. To show the application of these antennas, the deployment scenario of a 16AUs MIMO antenna on a large size ground plane which mimics the smart TV panel and router chassis, etc., is also presented. These AUs may find potential applications in radiator-number independent MIMO systems.