Multiband 10-Antenna Array for Sub-6 GHz MIMO Applications in 5-G Smartphones

Abstract

A multi-band 10-antenna array working at the sub-6-GHz spectrum (LTE bands 42/43 and LTE band 46) for massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) applications in future 5G smartphones is proposed. To realize 10 × 10 MIMO applications in three LTE bands, 10 T-shaped coupled-fed slot antenna elements that can excite dual resonant modes are integrated into a system circuit board. Spatial and polarization diversity techniques are implemented on these elements so that the improved isolation and mitigated coupling effects can be achieved. The proposed antenna array was manufactured and experimentally measured. Desirable antenna efficiencies of higher than 42% and 62% were measured in the low band and high band, respectively. Vital results, such as the envelope correlation coefficient, channel capacity, and mean effective gain ratio, have also been computed and analyzed. The calculated ergodic channel capacities of the 10 × 10 MIMO system working in the LTE bands 42/43 and LTE band 46 reached up to 48 and 51.4 b/s/Hz, respectively.

Keywords

• Sub-6 GHz
• 5G
• MIMO antenna
• massive MIMO