Integrated dual-band multiple-input multiple-output antenna module using higher mode control for 5G applications

This study presents a self-decoupled and highly integrated multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna pair for the 3.5 GHz (3.4-3.6 GHz) and 5 GHz (4.8-5 GHz) frequency bands, where a loop-type antenna and a dipolet-ype antenna are assembled into the front and backside of a compact modular board. A tuning inductor and a tuning capacitor are employed in the loop-type antenna and the dipole-type antenna, respectively, for higher mode resonance control, such that the dominant mode and higher mode of each antenna element are excited to achieve dual-band operation. Herein, the dominant modes of the loop-type antenna and the dipole-type antenna are orthogonal to each other, contributing to the self-decoupling effect in the lower band. Otherwise, the modal orthogonality of the higher modes of the two antennas is responsible for the high-isolated performance of the higher band. In this way, the proposed dual-band MIMO antenna module obtains a high spatial utilization ratio, even though they are disposed of in the same volume. The MIMO antenna module can produce impedance bandwidths above 200 MHz at both frequency bands, and the isolation within the lower and higher bands is above 16.5 and 13.5 dB, respectively. Additionally, an 8 x 8 MIMO antenna array is further constructed and measured. In measurement, the total efficiencies are higher than 60%, and the envelope correlation coefficient values are all below 0.1. Therefore, it is demonstrated that the proposed technique can be promisingly applied in large-scale MIMO antenna systems for current and future terminal devices, having advantages in multiband operation, high integration, and inherent isolation.