Decoupling Technique Using Ferrite-Film Loading for 5G MIMO Applications

Decreasing the mutual coupling between multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna elements requires the selection of an appropriate decoupling technique without changing the geometry or operating frequency of the antenna. In this paper, a simple and flexible approach that involves loading a small...

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Main Authors: Di Wu, Yang Qiu, Guoliang Yu, Rongdi Guo, Guohua Wu, Jiawei Wang, Yi Zhang, Mingmin Zhu, Hao-Miao Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-01-01
Series:International Journal of Antennas and Propagation
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/2028146
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author Di Wu
Yang Qiu
Guoliang Yu
Rongdi Guo
Guohua Wu
Jiawei Wang
Yi Zhang
Mingmin Zhu
Hao-Miao Zhou
author_facet Di Wu
Yang Qiu
Guoliang Yu
Rongdi Guo
Guohua Wu
Jiawei Wang
Yi Zhang
Mingmin Zhu
Hao-Miao Zhou
author_sort Di Wu
collection DOAJ
description Decreasing the mutual coupling between multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna elements requires the selection of an appropriate decoupling technique without changing the geometry or operating frequency of the antenna. In this paper, a simple and flexible approach that involves loading a small ferrite film on the radiation patch of an MIMO antenna pair has been proposed to mitigate the unwanted mutual coupling. Through a thorough investigation, the two IFA elements with an element distance of only 1.4 mm can be decoupled adequately by properly controlling the ferrite-film loading area and the thickness of the ferrite film, along with maintaining the desired operating frequencies and acceptable radiation characteristics at the LTE Band 42 (3.4–3.6 GHz). The optimum ferrite-film loading on the grounding branch of the IFA element can increase the isolation from −6.64 dB to −10.43 dB and enhance the bandwidth from 3.20–3.88 GHz to 2.83–3.65 GHz, and its efficiency can reach to 45.5%, as well as a 2 dB gain. A physical model has also been established to interpret the operating mechanism of ferrite-film loading on the IFAs. The proposed simulated procedure is validated via measurements. This technique of ferrite loading on MIMO antennas can effectively decouple the mutual coupling at a low cost and with low design complexity, indicating its potential applicability for use in MIMO antennas in mobile handsets.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-f1f77a500fc74ca7badcc1036c341fd52025-08-20T03:25:43ZengWileyInternational Journal of Antennas and Propagation1687-58772022-01-01202210.1155/2022/2028146Decoupling Technique Using Ferrite-Film Loading for 5G MIMO ApplicationsDi Wu0Yang Qiu1Guoliang Yu2Rongdi Guo3Guohua Wu4Jiawei Wang5Yi Zhang6Mingmin Zhu7Hao-Miao Zhou8Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Wave Information Technology and Metrology of Zhejiang ProvinceKey Laboratory of Electromagnetic Wave Information Technology and Metrology of Zhejiang ProvinceKey Laboratory of Electromagnetic Wave Information Technology and Metrology of Zhejiang ProvinceKey Laboratory of Electromagnetic Wave Information Technology and Metrology of Zhejiang ProvinceKey Laboratory of Electromagnetic Wave Information Technology and Metrology of Zhejiang ProvinceCollege of ScienceKey Laboratory of Wireless Power Transmission of Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Electromagnetic Wave Information Technology and Metrology of Zhejiang ProvinceKey Laboratory of Electromagnetic Wave Information Technology and Metrology of Zhejiang ProvinceDecreasing the mutual coupling between multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna elements requires the selection of an appropriate decoupling technique without changing the geometry or operating frequency of the antenna. In this paper, a simple and flexible approach that involves loading a small ferrite film on the radiation patch of an MIMO antenna pair has been proposed to mitigate the unwanted mutual coupling. Through a thorough investigation, the two IFA elements with an element distance of only 1.4 mm can be decoupled adequately by properly controlling the ferrite-film loading area and the thickness of the ferrite film, along with maintaining the desired operating frequencies and acceptable radiation characteristics at the LTE Band 42 (3.4–3.6 GHz). The optimum ferrite-film loading on the grounding branch of the IFA element can increase the isolation from −6.64 dB to −10.43 dB and enhance the bandwidth from 3.20–3.88 GHz to 2.83–3.65 GHz, and its efficiency can reach to 45.5%, as well as a 2 dB gain. A physical model has also been established to interpret the operating mechanism of ferrite-film loading on the IFAs. The proposed simulated procedure is validated via measurements. This technique of ferrite loading on MIMO antennas can effectively decouple the mutual coupling at a low cost and with low design complexity, indicating its potential applicability for use in MIMO antennas in mobile handsets.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/2028146
spellingShingle Di Wu
Yang Qiu
Guoliang Yu
Rongdi Guo
Guohua Wu
Jiawei Wang
Yi Zhang
Mingmin Zhu
Hao-Miao Zhou
Decoupling Technique Using Ferrite-Film Loading for 5G MIMO Applications
International Journal of Antennas and Propagation
title Decoupling Technique Using Ferrite-Film Loading for 5G MIMO Applications
title_full Decoupling Technique Using Ferrite-Film Loading for 5G MIMO Applications
title_fullStr Decoupling Technique Using Ferrite-Film Loading for 5G MIMO Applications
title_full_unstemmed Decoupling Technique Using Ferrite-Film Loading for 5G MIMO Applications
title_short Decoupling Technique Using Ferrite-Film Loading for 5G MIMO Applications
title_sort decoupling technique using ferrite film loading for 5g mimo applications
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/2028146
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