Cross Polarized 2x2 LTE MIMO System for Automotive Shark Fin Application

In this research we propose two orthogonally placed FR4 printed planar monopole antenna elements for use in the automobile roof top shark fin antenna for LTE MIMO applications. The discussed MIMO antenna system is designed to cover the worldwide LTE frequency band from 698MHz to 2700MHz. The goal of this research is to achieve satisfactory MIMO performance across the whole band while staying within physical constraints of the shark fin style antenna. The target reflection coefficient (S11) of each element is -6dB. Because of physical constraints of the automotive shark fin design antenna MIMO decorrelation is achieved by cross polarization and small distance separation. Correlation better than -12dB is targeted and achieved in higher bands, while in lower frequency bands antennas would not benefit from MIMO performance. Numerical simulation of the MIMO antenna system is performed using FEKO in order to verify the design parameters. Simulation findings are confirmed by manufacturing antennas and testing in the lab.