A Novel Design of Spike-Shaped Miniaturized 4 × 4 MIMO Antenna for Wireless UWB Network Applications Using Characteristic Mode Analysis

Abstract

In this article, a 4 × 4 miniaturized UWB-MIMO antenna with reduced isolation is designed and analyzed using a unique methodology known as characteristic mode analysis. To minimize the antenna’s physical size and to improve the isolation, an arrangement of four symmetrical radiating elements is positioned orthogonally. The antenna dimension is 40 mm × 40 mm (0.42λ0× 0.42λ0) (λ0 is the wavelength at first lower frequency), which is printed on FR-4 material with a width of 1.6 mm and εr = 4.3. A square-shaped defected ground framework was placed on the ground to improve the isolation. Etching square-shaped slots on the ground plane achieved the return losses S11 < −10 dB and isolation 26 dB in the entire operating band 3.2 GHz–12.44 GHz (UWB (3.1–10.6 GHz) and X-band (8 GHz–12 GHz) spectrum and achieved good isolation bandwidth of 118.15%. The outcomes of estimated and observed values are examined for MIMO inclusion factors such as DG, ECC, CCL, and MEG. The antenna’s performances, including radiation efficiency and gain, are remarkable for this antenna design. The designed antenna is successfully tested in a cutting-edge laboratory. The measured outcomes are quite similar to the modeled outcomes. This antenna is ideal for WLAN and Wi-Max applications.