Integrated Microwave and mm-Wave MIMO Antenna Module With 360° Pattern Diversity for 5G Internet of Things

Abstract

The complete coverage of the operating frequency bands from microwave bands to millimeter (mm-wave) is required for the realization of the fifth-generation (5G) internet-of-thing (IoT) systems. Here, we present a multi-band antenna operating at the microwave (2.5/3.5/5.5/7.5 GHz) and mm-wave bands (23 -31 GHz), and its 12-port MIMO configuration with pattern diversity affording 360° coverage for 5G IoT applications. The multi-band characteristics are obtained by adding well-designed quarterwavelength stubs. The antenna operates at the important frequency bands from 2.37 -2.65 GHz, 3.25 -3.85 GHz, 5.0 -6.1 GHz, and 7.15 -8.5 GHz (|S11| < -10 dB), while it resonates from 23 -31 GHz at the mm-wave band with the desired radiation characteristics. Moreover, the antenna has more than 95% radiation efficiency and a stable gain (> 2.5 dBi at microwave band and 6.5 dBi at mm-wave bands) characteristics. In addition, the single-element antenna is translated to design a 2 × 2 MIMO antenna. This MIMO unit is further utilized in the formation of 2 × 4 and the proposed 3 × 4 (12-port) MIMO configurations to achieve spectral and pattern diversity. Considering the unique three-dimensional arrangement of the antenna elements, the 12port MIMO system is the only one of its kind that offers the codesign of microwave and mm-wave antenna, good isolation, and pattern diversity, providing complete 360-degrees space coverage in elevation and azimuth planes. The proposed antenna module is suitable for 5G IoT, especially in an indoor scenario for smart houses, offices, and vehicle-to-everything communications.

A Novel Low-Profile 5G MIMO Antenna for Vehicular Communication

“…Hence, the values are plotted for 21 dBm and 30 dBm power in the resonant frequencies of 1.9 GHz and 5.9 GHz. As per the noise margin obtained as mentioned in [42], the proposed antenna provides a 1.25 km and 1.15 km link for the transmit power of 21 dBm as represented in Figure 11, which is better than the 0.3 km requirement set by the 5G Automotive Association.…”

“…Here the MIMO antenna link budget is calculated for the operating frequencies of 1.9 GHz and 5.9 GHz. e received power is calculated using the method in [42]. However, for metropolitan areas, the Federal Communication Commission and the World Health Organization advise antenna power of up to 30 dBm.…”

A 12-Port MIMO Antenna System for 5G/WLAN Applications

“…The radiation gain of each antenna module is above 3.2 dBi in the covered frequency band. The increase in gain with increasing frequency is due to the increase in the effective size of the antenna at higher frequencies [ 30 ].…”

Multifunctional twelve port frequency agile diversity antenna for indoor wireless applications

“…Antenna modules have to support transmission and reception simultaneously to provide uninterrupted service to the user. Especially indoor scenarios such as shopping malls, airports, universities, industries, schools, hospitals etc., encounters more connectivity issues 1 – 3 due to small-scale fading. However, these significant challenges are due to multipath propagation, which reduces the signal-to-noise ratio and affects link reliability due to polarization mismatch.…”