Wideband MIMO antenna system with dual polarization for WiFi and LTE applications

Abstract

In this paper a wideband multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna system for WiFi-LTE wireless access point (WAP) application is proposed. The MIMO antenna system consists of two common element microstrip-fed monopole antennas with dual polarization. Physically closed integration of MIMO antenna elements requires a special technique to increase the isolation between the antennas. A novel structure of parasitic element is introduced to improve the isolation between the antennas. The proposed MIMO antenna system is simulated and optimized using CST Microwave Studio. The designed antenna system is fabricated and measured to verify the simulation results. Reflection coefficient of less than −10 dB and isolation more than 15 dB are achieved in the operating frequency range of 2.3–2.9 GHz which covers WiFi 2.4 GHz and LTE 2.6 GHz bands. The proposed system also provides dual polarization with 10 dB polarization diversity gain and envelope correlation coefficient less than 0.15. Each individual antenna has a gain of 5.1 dB and 68% efficiency.