Patches of Dual Functions for Wideband MIMO Array Antenna with Linear or Circular Polarization Characteristics

Abstract

In this paper, a design of a monopole-based four-element MIMO array antenna is proposed. The design is based on a novel technique that makes a patch be a ground plane of the next patch. Thus, each patch has a dual function. This method is named the sharing technique. Thus, for the first time, two of such antennas can be merged, providing a subminiature structure. The method is introduced step by step. Then, a 2×2 MIMO array with a total area of 49×49 mm 2 is designed, which provides a miniaturized of 57% (from 0.18λ 2 0 to 0.076λ 2 0 @ 1.7GHz). Two linearly-polarized array samples are evaluated. One sample with center-fed patches and another with off-center-fed. Both samples provide a semi-end-fire pattern with a minimum front-to-back (F/B) ratio of 11dB and 360° rotation capability with wide 10-dB S 11 bandwidths over 100%. Moreover, an ultra-wideband circularly polarized array with broadside radiation can be achieved by simultaneous, sequential exciting all ports. The antenna achieves isolation better than 15dB, peak efficiency of 95%, and 5.9dBi gain verified with different measurements.