sensors

Communication
A Compact High-Isolation Four-Element MIMO Antenna with
Asymptote-Shaped Structure
Aiting Wu , Yingxiang Tao, Pengquan Zhang *, Zhonghai Zhang and Zhihua Fang

School of Electronics and Information, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
* Correspondence: zpq@hdu.edu.cn

Abstract: The demand for high-speed wireless communication systems has led to the development
of ultrawide-band (UWB) antennas with a compact size and high performance. In this paper, we
propose a novel four-port multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna with an asymptote-
shaped structure that overcomes the limitations of existing designs for UWB applications. The
antenna elements are placed orthogonally to each other for polarization diversity, and each element
features a stepped rectangular patch with a tapered microstrip feedline. The unique structure of the
antenna significantly reduces its dimensions to 42 × 42 mm2 (0.43λ × 0.43λ@ 3.09GHz), making it
highly desirable for use in small wireless devices. To further enhance the antenna’s performance,
we use two parasitic tapes on the ground plane at the back as decoupling structures between
adjacent elements. The tapes are designed in a windmill shape and a rotating extended cross shape,
respectively, to further improve the isolation. We fabricated and measured the proposed antenna
design on a single-layer substrate (FR4) with a dielectric constant of 4.4 and a thickness of 1 mm.
The measured results show that the impedance bandwidth of the antenna is 3.09–12 GHz, with
an isolation of −16.4 dB, an envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) of 0.02, a diversity gain (DG) of
9.991 dB, an average total effective reflection coefficient (TARC) of −20 dB, an overall group delay
value less than 1.4 ns, and a peak gain of 5.1 dBi. Although there may be some antennas that have
better performance in one or two specific aspects, our proposed antenna has an excellent trade-off
among all the antenna characteristics including bandwidth, size, and isolation. The proposed antenna
also exhibits good quasi-omnidirectional radiation properties, making it well-suited for a range of
emerging UWB-MIMO communication systems, particularly in small wireless devices. In summary,
Citation: Wu, A.; Tao, Y.; Zhang, P.;
the compact size and ultrawide-band capabilities of the proposed MIMO antenna design, coupled
Zhang, Z.; Fang, Z. A Compact with its improved performance compared to other recent UWB-MIMO designs, make it a promising
High-Isolation Four-Element MIMO candidate for 5G and next-generation wireless communication systems.
Antenna with Asymptote-Shaped
Structure. Sensors 2023, 23, 2484. Keywords: UWB antenna; multiple-input multiple-output; high isolation; asymptote-shaped;
https://doi.org/10.3390/s23052484 polarization diversity
Academic Editor: Antonio Lázaro

Received: 4 February 2023

Revised: 20 February 2023 1. Introduction
Accepted: 21 February 2023
The tremendous growth and rapid development in the field of wireless communication
Published: 23 February 2023
have prompted people to seek new technologies that can provide large and fast data
transmission. UWB technology has attracted a great deal of attention due to its wide
bandwidth, high data transmission rate, and strong anti-interference capability. Since
Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released 3.1–10.6 GHz for unauthorized
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. access and commercial use [1], UWB has evolved into a unique technology within wireless
This article is an open access article communications, radar, smart home wearable devices, and medical applications [2–4]. The
distributed under the terms and relatively low radiation power of UWB systems limits their transmission distance. However,
conditions of the Creative Commons the combination of UWB and MIMO technologies has been shown to be a feasible solution
Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// for improving the anti-multipath fading capability [5,6]. By utilizing multiple antennas
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ on both transmitters and receivers, MIMO technology enhances the channel capacity of
4.0/).

Sensors 2023, 23, 2484. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23052484 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors

Sensors 2023, 23, 2484 2 of 16

wireless communication systems, thereby significantly extending the transmission distance

of UWB systems.
For the study of UWB-MIMO antennas, wideband and high isolation are important
research directions. The challenge of designing UWB-MIMO antennas is the coupling
between antenna units over small sizes, especially in compact devices with limited space.
The distance between units of a UWB-MIMO antenna should be half the wavelength of
the minimum at the lowest operating frequency of the UWB band to meet the isolation
requirements, which results in a large overall dimension of the antenna. Therefore, ap-
propriate decoupling structures between antenna elements are proposed to improve the
isolation. Several designs have been proposed for decoupling MIMO antennas. In [7–9],
good isolation is obtained by orthogonal polarization and optimizing spacing between
elements without any decoupling structure, increasing the isolation among the MIMO
antenna elements. In [10], mutual couplings among the antenna elements are significantly
reduced by using a two-sided symmetric layout and introducing the symmetric orthogo-
nal and separated four-directional staircase-shaped structure, achieving isolation of less
than −22 dB. In [11], high isolation and polarization diversity are achieved by placing the
four microstrip-fed lines perpendicular to each other, and a parasitic strip is employed as
a decoupling structure between adjacent microstrip-fed lines to further improve isolation,
with the isolation of the antenna being higher than −15 dB in the whole UWB frequency
band. In [12], a periodic linear network formed by four units of a square ring resonator
(SRR) is inserted between the two antenna elements designed with an isolation of higher
than −25 dB. A ground stub and a single-column Electromagnetic Bandgap (EBG) structure
in between the two radiating patches result in very low mutual coupling in the designed
antenna with a low mutual coupling of less than −25 dB [13]. In [14], a wideband neu-
tralization line is placed between two MIMO elements, and the designed UWB MIMO
antenna covers the band of 3.1–5 GHz with an isolation of higher than −22 dB. In [15],
a special-material MIMO antenna is presented to increase isolation. In [16], the antenna
design employs a hybrid isolation enhancing (inverted-L stubs) and miniaturization tech-
nique (CSRR), with mutual coupling lower than −15 dB. As a flexible method, defective
grounding structures (DGS) are well-used in MIMO antenna decoupling [17–20]. In [21,22],
two antennas address the coupling using stubs that not only reduce mutual coupling by
acting as a reflector to separate the radiation of the elements but also act as a radiator to
produce resonances. Additionally, the low coupling can be achieved by designing the
ground of the MIMO antenna [23,24]. However, there is always a trade-off among an-
tenna size, isolation, complexity, and cost in all of these proposed methods and techniques.
In [8,25], the antennas improve isolation by using polarization diversity. The dimensions
are 50 × 39.8 mm2 and 60 × 60 mm2 , respectively, which are too large to integrate. In [11],
the antenna meets the UWB band requirements with a small size, but the isolation is just
less than −15 dB. The two antennas described in [26,27] achieve high isolation, but the
fabricating process of the design is relatively complex, and antenna tuning is difficult.
In [28–30], Rogers and Taconic high-frequency materials are used to achieve high isolation
and small size, but these two materials are expensive. The proposed design achieves
a favorable trade-off compared to existing designs.
In this study, a compact four-port UWB-MIMO antenna with high isolation and low
cost is proposed for ultra-wideband wireless communication networks. The four elements
of the proposed antenna are identical and placed perpendicular to each other on the
substrate to greatly reduce the overall size. On the front side, each element consists of
a stepped rectangular radiation patch and an asymptote-shaped microstrip feeder to expand
the bandwidth. On the back side, a windmill shape and rotating extended cross shape
are used to reduce the mutual coupling among the radiating elements. Simulated and
measured results indicate that the proposed UWB-MIMO antenna has a wide impedance
bandwidth and high isolation. Additionally, the antenna’s radiation characteristics, MIMO
diversity characteristics, and peak gain characteristics are investigated and analyzed. The
highlight of the proposed antenna is the introduction of the asymptote-shaped structure,
Sensors 2023, 23, 2484 3 of 16

which is incorporated into the overall structure, including the rectangular patch, microstrip
feeder, and windmill-shaped decoupling structure. This expansion of the bandwidth of
the antenna improves isolation while effectively reducing the antenna’s size. The main
contributions of the proposed design include:
• Adoption of a stepped rectangular radiation patch and placement of the four ele-
ments orthogonally to each other to achieve a compact antenna size and improve
antenna isolation.
• Use of an asymptote-shaped microstrip feeder to expand the bandwidth.
• Use of windmill and rotating extended cross-shaped decoupling structures to improve
antenna isolation.
• Combination of all the above optimizations to achieve good characteristics in terms of
bandwidth, size, and isolation.
The rest of this paper is organized as follows: Section 2 presents the antenna design
and introduces methods to improve the bandwidth, size, and isolation. Section 3 analyzes
and discusses the antenna’s performances, including return loss, isolation, peak gain,
diversity gain (DG), ECC, TARC, group delay, and far-field radiation pattern characteristics.
Sensors 2023, 23, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 16
The conclusion is drawn in Section 4.

2. Antenna Design
effective relative permittivity and the change in the size of the patch can be calculated
using Equations (4) and (5), where ‘h’ is the substrate’s height. The patch’s initial param-
Figure 1 depicts the
eters are 𝑊 four
= 14.6 steps
mm andof𝐿 the antenna
= 17.4 mm, based element
on 𝜀𝑟 = 4.4design
and ℎ = 1and
mm their corresponding
in Equations
reflection coefficients. Stepcalculated
(1)–(5). This 1 represents the original
value is used as a referenceantenna,
value. As which
shown inconsists of an-
Figure 1a, the a rectangular
patch, a groundtenna operates at 4.5 GHz using the initial patch. Subsequently, a wide bandwidth was
plate, and a 50 Ω microstrip feeder.
achieved by modifying the rectangular patch and ground joint.
Its impedance band ranges from
4.07 to 8.05 GHz. To increase the bandwidth, small rectangles are cut at the bottom of
 r + 1  r −1 1
h −2
the rectangular patch to make it gradually e = +
step in (1 + 12 )
step 2. This increases the current
(4) path
2 2 W
length and generates new resonance points, resulting in a dual-band performance of
W
3.83–5.19 GHz and 6.97–10.5 GHz. However, (this  e + 0.3)(
bandwidth
+ 0.264) is not yet sufficient to cover
L = 0.412 h h
the entire UWB frequency band. In step 3, the feeder is cut W
and becomes a stepped (5) rectangle,
achieving a return loss of less than −10 dB in the ( e −3.71–11.26
0.258)( + 0.8)
GHz range. Finally, the ground
h
plate is cut in step 4 to further improve the bandwidth to 3.6–12 GHz.

(a)

(b)
Figure 1. The geometry of steps 1 to 4 and simulated S parameters: (a) Geometry, (b) S parameters.
Figure 1. The geometry of steps 1 to 4 and simulated S parameters: (a) Geometry, (b) S parameters.
The four-element MIMO antenna is constructed based on the antenna element from
step 4. As shown in Figure 2a, four elements are placed on the substrate orthogonally, and
polarization diversity is used to improve the isolation between adjacent components. Its
S-parameters are simulated and shown in Figure 2b. The return loss is only slightly greater
than −10 dB from 5 to 6.1 GHz. Good isolation is obtained, with below −20 dB in the
Sensors 2023, 23, 2484 4 of 16

The primary design of the antenna consists of a substrate, a rectangular patch, a ground
plane, and a 50 Ω microstrip feedline. To calculate the preliminary length (L) and width
(W) of the patch for a rectangular microstrip antenna at a given operating frequency,
Equations (1)–(3) below can be used.
 − 1
c εr + 1 2
W= (1)
2f 2

εr , c, and f in Equation (1) represent the substrate’s relative permittivity, the speed of
light, and the operating frequency. To achieve excellent impedance matching, the optimal
choice of W can be determined. The length of the radiation patch can be calculated using
two methods: One is a rough calculation that takes the length as 0.5λe , and λe can be
calculated using Equation (2); the other method considers the edge-shortening effect, and
the actual radiating element length L can be calculated using Equation (3).
c
λe = √ (2)
f εe

L = λe − 2∆L (3)
where λe , ε e , and ∆L stand for the effective dielectric constant, the guided-wave wavelength
within the medium, and the change in the patch’s size due to its fringing effect. The
effective relative permittivity and the change in the size of the patch can be calculated using
Equations (4) and (5), where ‘h’ is the substrate’s height. The patch’s initial parameters
are W = 14.6 mm and L = 17.4 mm, based on ε r = 4.4 and h = 1 mm in Equations (1)–(5).
This calculated value is used as a reference value. As shown in Figure 1a, the antenna
operates at 4.5 GHz using the initial patch. Subsequently, a wide bandwidth was achieved
by modifying the rectangular patch and ground joint.
1
εr + 1 εr − 1 h −2
εe = + (1 + 12 ) (4)
2 2 W

(ε e + 0.3)( W
h + 0.264)
∆L = 0.412h (5)
(ε e − 0.258)( W
h + 0.8)
The four-element MIMO antenna is constructed based on the antenna element from
step 4. As shown in Figure 2a, four elements are placed on the substrate orthogonally, and
polarization diversity is used to improve the isolation between adjacent components. Its
S-parameters are simulated and shown in Figure 2b. The return loss is only slightly greater
than −10 dB from 5 to 6.1 GHz. Good isolation is obtained, with below −20 dB in the
medium and high frequencies and below −12 dB in the low-frequency band. Therefore,
further optimization and structures are needed to improve the bandwidth and isolation.
There are two common coupling modes of MIMO antennas: Surface wave coupling
and space wave coupling. In order to improve the decoupling between the MIMO antenna
elements, as shown in Figure 3a, a four-directional three-stepped impedance converter is
added to the ground. The simulated S-parameters are shown in Figure 4. Compared with
the results in Figure 2b, the lower-frequency band of S11 is reduced to 2.9 GHz. At the
same time, S21 and S31 at the middle and high frequencies have been further improved.
In order to improve the return loss in the middle-frequency band at approximately
5–6 GHz, it is necessary to increase the order of the stepped impedance transformer to
optimize the impedance matching. As the order increases to infinity, the converter slowly
transforms into an asymptote-shaped structure, which looks similar to a windmill, as
shown in Figure 3b. Figure 5 shows the simulated return loss and isolation of the design in
Figure 3b. It can be seen that the antenna bandwidth is extended to 2.4–12 GHz, covering
the whole UWB frequency band. Furthermore, S21 and S31 are less than −15 dB at the low-
frequency band and less than −20 dB at the middle- and high-frequency bands. However,
 medium and high frequencies and below −12 dB in the low-frequency band. Therefore,
further optimization and structures are needed to improve the bandwidth and isolation.

Sensors 2023, 23, 2484 5 of 16

Sensors 2023, 23, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 16

due to the coupling between the windmill-shaped structure and antenna elements, the S11
near 6 GHz is slightly
medium higher than
and high −10 dB.and
frequencies Inbelow
addition,
−12 dBto
inachieve better isolation
the low-frequency in the
band. Therefore,
low-frequency band, theoptimization
further design inandFigure 3c isare
structures finally proposed.
needed to improve the bandwidth and isolation.

(a) (b)
Figure 2. (a) Structure, (b) S parameters.

There are two common coupling modes of MIMO antennas: Surface wave coupling
and space wave coupling. In order to improve the decoupling between the MIMO antenna
elements, as shown in Figure 3a, a four-directional three-stepped impedance converter is
added to the ground. The simulated S-parameters are shown in Figure 4. Compared with
(a) (b)
the results in Figure 2b, the lower-frequency band of S11 is reduced to 2.9 GHz. At the
Figure 2. (a) Structure, (b) S parameters.
same 2.
Figure time, S21 and S31
(a) Structure, (b) Satparameters.
the middle and high frequencies have been further improved.
There are two common coupling modes of MIMO antennas: Surface wave coupling
and space wave coupling. In order to improve the decoupling between the MIMO antenna
elements, as shown in Figure 3a, a four-directional three-stepped impedance converter is
added to the ground. The simulated S-parameters are shown in Figure 4. Compared with
the results in Figure 2b, the lower-frequency band of S11 is reduced to 2.9 GHz. At the
same time, S21 and S31 at the middle and high frequencies have been further improved.

Sensors 2023, 23, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 16

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 3. Evolution process of decoupling structure of MIMO antenna: (a) Three-step ladder struc-
the S113. near
Figure 6 GHz
Evolution is slightly
process higherstructure
of decoupling than −10ofdB.
MIMOIn addition, toThree-step
antenna: (a) achieve better
ladder isolation
structure,
ture, (b) windmill structure, (c) extended cruciform rotating parasitic branch structure.
in the
(b) low-frequency
windmill
(a)
structure, band,
(c) the
extended design in
cruciform Figure
(b)
rotating3c is finally
parasitic proposed.
branch structure.
(c)
In order to improve the return
Figure 3. Evolution loss
process in the middle-frequency
of decoupling band(a)atThree-step
structure of MIMO antenna: approximately
ladder struc-
5–6 GHz, it is necessary to increase the order of the stepped impedance transformer
ture, (b) windmill structure, (c) extended cruciform rotating parasitic branch structure. to
optimize the impedance matching. As the order increases to infinity, the converter slowly
In order to improve the return loss in the middle-frequency band at approximately
transforms into an asymptote-shaped structure, which looks similar to a windmill, as
5–6 GHz, it is necessary to increase the order of the stepped impedance transformer to
shown in Figure optimize
3b. Figure 5 shows the
the impedance simulated
matching. As thereturn loss andtoisolation
order increases ofconverter
infinity, the the designslowly
in Figure 3b. It can be seeninto
transforms thatanthe antenna bandwidth
asymptote-shaped is extended
structure, which looks to similar
2.4–12 toGHz, cover- as
a windmill,
ing the whole UWB shown frequency
in Figure band. Furthermore,
3b. Figure S21 and S31
5 shows the simulated areloss
return less than
and −15 dB
isolation at the
of the design
in Figure 3b. It can be seen that the antenna bandwidth
low-frequency band and less than −20 dB at the middle- and high-frequency bands. How-is extended to 2.4–12 GHz, cover-
ing the whole UWB frequency band. Furthermore, S21 and S31 are less than −15 dB at the
ever, due to the coupling between the windmill-shaped structure and antenna elements,
low-frequency band and less than −20 dB at the middle- and high-frequency bands. How-
ever, due to the coupling between the windmill-shaped structure and antenna elements,

Figure 4.
Figure 4. Simulation
Simulation SS parameters
parameters of
of three-step
three-step decoupling
decoupling structure
structureMIMO
MIMOantenna.
antenna.
Sensors 2023, 23, 2484 6 of 16

Figure 4. Simulation S parameters of three-step decoupling structure MIMO antenna.

Figure 5.
Figure 5. Windmill
Windmilltype
typedecoupling
decouplingstructure
structureMIMO
MIMOantenna
antennasimulation
simulationSSparameters.
parameters.

Based
Based on on Figure
Figure 3b,
3b, aa cross-shaped
cross-shaped rotating
rotating branch
branch is is parasitically
parasitically appended
appended to to the
the
windmill-shaped structure.
windmill-shaped structure. The S-parameters
S-parameters results are further
further improved, as shown in
improved, as shown in
Figure 6. The surface wave coupling and space wave
Figure The surface wave coupling and space wave coupling currents coupling currents
areare generated
generated be-
between adjacentelements
tween adjacent elementsand anddecoupling
decouplingstructures,
structures,offsetting
offsetting each
each other after passing
passing
through
throughthe theparasitic
parasiticrotating
rotating branches.
branches.AsAsa result, the the
a result, coupling between
coupling adjacent
between antenna
adjacent an-
elements
tenna is reduced.
elements is The bandwidth
reduced. The of the antenna
bandwidth of the is from 3.09
antenna is to 123.09
from GHz. to The
12 isolation
GHz. The
Sensors 2023, 23, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 16
is less than
isolation is − 16.4
less dB −16.4
than in thedB low-frequency band andband
in the low-frequency less than −20than
and less dB in
−20thedBmiddle- and
in the mid-
high-frequency bands.
dle- and high-frequency bands.

Figure 6.
Figure 6. Simulation
Simulation SS parameters
parameters of
of the
the proposed
proposedfour-element
four-elementMIMO
MIMOantenna.
antenna.

The surface
The surfacecurrent
currentdistribution
distributionof ofthe
theantenna
antennaisisshown
shownat at3.5
3.5GHz
GHzin in Figure
Figure7.7. When
When
one
one of
of the
the elements
elements isis excited,
excited, the
the others
others are
areconnected
connected to 50ΩΩ match
to50 match loads.
loads. It
It can
can bebe
observed
observedhowhowthe thedecoupling
decoupling structures
structures help the the
help decoupling between
decoupling the antenna
between elements.
the antenna ele-
There
ments.are considerable
There surface currents
are considerable on the other
surface currents three
on the radiation
other patches in
three radiation Figurein
patches 7a.Fig-
In
Figure
ure 7a.7b,c, the currents
In Figure 7b, c, become smallbecome
the currents gradually with
small the windmill
gradually with shape added on
the windmill the
shape
ground
added onside.
theAt last, inside.
ground Figure
At 7d,
last,there are several
in Figure currents
7d, there when the
are several cross-shaped
currents when the rotating
cross-
branches are added.
shaped rotating branches are added.
 The surface current distribution of the antenna is shown at 3.5 GHz in Figure 7
one of the elements is excited, the others are connected to 50 Ω match loads. It
observed how the decoupling structures help the decoupling between the anten
ments. There are considerable surface currents on the other three radiation patches
Sensors 2023, 23, 2484
ure 7a. In Figure 7b, c, the currents become small gradually with the windmill
7 of 16
added on the ground side. At last, in Figure 7d, there are several currents when the
shaped rotating branches are added.

(a) (b)

(c) (d)
Figure 7. current
Figure 7. Simulation Simulation current distribution
distribution of MIMO
of MIMO antenna antenna
system; system; (a) polarization
(a) polarization orthogonal orthogo
coupling (b)
decoupling structure, structure, (b)ladder
three-step three-step ladderstructure,
decoupling decoupling structure,
(c) windmill (c) windmill
decoupling decoupling st
structure,
and (d) cross-shaped rotary branch decoupling
and (d) cross-shaped rotary branch decoupling structure. structure.
Sensors 2023, 23, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 o

Figure 8 shows
Figurethe 8geometry
shows the and dimensions
geometry andofdimensions
the proposed UWB-MIMO
of the proposedantenna.
UWB-MIMO an
The overallThe
size overall
of the proposed antenna is 42 mm × 42 mm × 1 mm,
size of the proposed antenna is 42 mm × 42 mm × 1 mm, printed on an FR4
printed on
substrate with a substrate
relative dielectric constant
with a relative of 4.4.constant
dielectric The antenna
of 4.4.is simulated
The antenna and optimized
is simulated and optimiz
by ANSYS
by ANSYS Electronics Electronics
Desktop Desktop
2021. The 2021. The
geometry geometryare
parameters parameters are given
given in Table 1. in Table 1.
W
Lz1

Wz1

Wp
R2
L

R1
Lq2
Lp

Wq4

Lq1
Wq3

Lz2

Wf2 Wz2
Wq1
Lg

Wq2

Lq3
Lf1

Wf1 Lq4

(a) (b)
Figure diagram
Figure 8. The schematic 8. The schematic diagram of
of the proposed the proposed
antenna: antenna:
(a) Top, (a) Top, (b) bottom.
(b) bottom.

Table 1. Optimized parameters of proposed UWB-MIMO antenna.

Parameters Dimensions (mm) Parameters Dimensions (mm) Parameters Dimensions (mm

W 42 Wf2 1 Wq4 2.2
L 42 Lf1 3.2 R1 3.4
H 1 Lq1 1 R2 1.8
Wp 14 Wq1 1.56 Lj 17.85
Lp 12 Lq2 2.4 Lz1 17
 Sensors 2023, 23, 2484 8 of 16

Table 1. Optimized parameters of proposed UWB-MIMO antenna.

Parameters Dimensions (mm) Parameters Dimensions (mm) Parameters Dimensions (mm)

W 42 Wf2 1 Wq4 2.2
L 42 Lf1 3.2 R1 3.4
H 1 Lq1 1 R2 1.8
Wp 14 Wq1 1.56 Lj 17.85
Lp 12 Lq2 2.4 Lz1 17
Lg 10 Wq2 3.2 Wz1 0.4
Wg 15 Lq3 1.8 Lz2 0.4
g 1 Wq3 4 Wz2 3.6
Wf1 2 Lq4 1.8

3. Results and Discussions

3.1. Fabrication and Measurement
To verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed design antenna in Figure 3c,
the antenna is fabricated. The photograph of the prototype is shown in Figure 9. The
Sensors 2023, 23, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 1
S-parameters of the antenna are measured using the ZVA 24 vector network analyzer
of ROHDE&SCHWARZ Company. The simulated and measured return loss results are
shown in Figure 10. The simulated frequency bandwidth agrees with the measured one,
which is from 3.09 to 12 GHz. The small discrepancy is likely caused by the errors in the
antenna
Sensors 2023, 23, x FOR PEER fabrication, the welding errors of SMA joints, and the high loss of the9 FR4
REVIEW of 16 dielectric
substrate at high frequencies.

(a) (a) (b) (b)

Figure 9. Fabricated four-element MIMO antenna prototype: (a) Top view, (b) bottom view.
Figure9.9.
Figure Fabricated
Fabricated four-element
four-element MIMOMIMO antenna
antenna prototype:
prototype: (a) Top (a)
view,Top(b)view,
bottom(b)view.
bottom view.

Figure 10. Simulated and measured return loss (S11).

Figure 11 illustrates the simulated and measured results for the isolation between
port 1 and port 2, and between port 1 and port 3. The results demonstrate that the isolation
is less than −16.4 dB in the low-frequency band, less than −20 dB in the middle- and high-
frequency bands, and even reaches −40 dB in some frequency bands, indicating a good
isolation performance.
Figure10.10.
Figure Simulated
Simulated andand measured
measured return
return loss (S11).
loss (S11).

Figure 11 illustrates the simulated and measured results for the isolation betwee
port 1 and port 2, and between port 1 and port 3. The results demonstrate that the isolatio
is less than −16.4 dB in the low-frequency band, less than −20 dB in the middle- and high
Sensors 2023, 23, 2484 9 of 16
Figure 10. Simulated and measured return loss (S11).

Figure 11 illustrates the simulated and measured results for the isolation betwee
portFigure
1 and11 illustrates
port the simulated
2, and between port 1and
andmeasured results
port 3. The fordemonstrate
results the isolation between
that the isolatio
port 1 and port 2, and between port 1 and port 3. The results demonstrate that the isolation
is less than −16.4 dB in the low-frequency band, less than −20 dB in the middle- and high
is less than −16.4 dB in the low-frequency band, less than −20 dB in the middle- and
frequency bands, and even reaches −40 dB in some frequency bands, indicating a goo
high-frequency bands, and even reaches −40 dB in some frequency bands, indicating
aisolation performance.
good isolation performance.

Figure
Figure 11.11. Simulated
Simulated andand measured
measured isolation
isolation (S21, S31).
(S21, S31).

3.2. MIMO System Parameters

To evaluate the performance of the proposed antenna, several important parameters
are investigated and analyzed. The envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) [31] is used to
assess the degree of independence between antenna units and should be less than 0.5 for
communication systems. Equation (6) is used to calculate the ECC, as shown below:
2
Sii∗ Sij + S∗ji S jj
ECC = (6)
(1− Sii 2 − S ji 2 )·(1− S jj 2 − Sij 2 )

Another important indicator for channel fading in MIMO antennas is diversity gain
(DG) [32], which is calculated using Equation (7):
q
DG = 10 1 − (ECC)2 (7)

Figure 12 displays the ECC and DG between port 1 and port 2, and between port 1
and port 3. The ECC is less than 0.02 and the DG is larger than 9.99 dB across the entire
operating frequency band, indicating that the correlation between antenna elements is very
small and meets the requirements of the MIMO system.
The total effective reflection coefficient (TARC) is defined as the ratio of the square
root of the total reflected power to the square root of the total incident power, representing
the mutual coupling between ports and the combination of random signals. Equation (8) is
used to calculate TARC for a four-port MIMO antenna system [33]:
v
u 0 00 0 00 2
u
u (S11 + S12 e jθ + S13 e jθ + S14 e jθ ) 2 + (S21 + S22 e jθ + S23 e jθ + S24 e jθ )
t 0 00 0 00 2
+ (S31 + S32 e jθ + S33 e jθ + S34 e jθ ) 2 + (S41 + S42 e jθ + S43 e jθ + S44 e jθ )
TARC = (8)
2
Figure 13 shows the TARC results, which were obtained by selecting nine combinations
of random phases (θ, θ’, θ 00 ) and calculating their average values. In a communication
system, the TARC value of the antenna should be less than 0 dB. The measured average
 Another important indicator for channel fading in MIMO antennas is diversity gain
(DG) [32], which is calculated using Equation (7):

DG = 10 1 − ( ECC ) 2 (7)
Sensors 2023, 23, 2484 10 of 16
Figure 12 displays the ECC and DG between port 1 and port 2, and between port 1
and port 3. The ECC is less than 0.02 and the DG is larger than 9.99 dB across the entire
operating
TARC frequency
in the band,
operating indicating
frequency bandthat thethan
is less correlation
−20 dB,between antenna
indicating that theelements is
proposed
very small and meets the requirements of the MIMO system.
antenna is insensitive to phase changes and has a good bandwidth.

Sensors 2023, 23, x FOR PEER REVIEW 11 of 16

Figure 12.
Figure 12. Line
Line Port
Port 11 and
and Port
Port 2,
2, Port
Port 11 and
and Port
Port 33 Analog
Analog ECC
ECC and
and DG.
DG.

The total effective reflection coefficient (TARC) is defined as the ratio of the square
root of the total reflected power to the square root of the total incident power, representing
the mutual coupling between ports and the combination of random signals. Equation (8)
is used to calculate TARC for a four-port MIMO antenna system [33]:
' '' ' ''

| ( S11 + S12 e j + S13e j + S14 e j ) |2 + | ( S 21 + S 22 e j + S 23e j + S 24 e j ) |2

' '' ' ''

+ | ( S31 + S32 e j + S33e j + S34 e j ) |2 + | ( S 41 + S 42 e j + S 43e j + S 44 e j ) |2 (8)

TARC =
2
Figure 13 shows the TARC results, which were obtained by selecting nine combina-
tions of random phases (𝜃, 𝜃’, 𝜃”) and calculating their average values. In a communication
system, the TARC value of the antenna should be less than 0 dB. The measured average
TARC in the operating frequency band is less than −20 dB, indicating that the proposed
antenna is insensitive to phase changes and has a good bandwidth.

Figure13.
Figure 13.Simulated
Simulatedand
andmeasured
measuredTARC.
TARC.

Group
Groupdelaydelayisisan animportant
importanttime-domain
time-domaincharacteristic
characteristicof ofMIMO
MIMOantennas
antennas[34]. [34].ItIt
refers
referstotothe delay
the generated
delay generated by the
by signal as a whole
the signal when the
as a whole whengroup
thesignal
grouppasses
signal through
passes
athrough
linear system
a linearorsystem
network, or which is the
network, propagation
which time of thetime
is the propagation synthetic
of thewave envelope.
synthetic wave
Therefore, it is also known
envelope. Therefore, asknown
it is also the envelope delay. Figure
as the envelope delay.14 illustrates
Figure the group
14 illustrates the delay
group
variation of the proposed
delay variation MIMO antenna
of the proposed in the operating
MIMO antenna band. Group
in the operating band.delay
Group (1,1) denotes
delay (1,1)
the
denotes the delay from port 1 to port 1, Group delay (1,2) indicates the delay from port2,1
delay from port 1 to port 1, Group delay (1,2) indicates the delay from port 1 to port
and group
to port delaygroup
2, and (1,3) and
delay(1,4) have
(1,3) and similar definitions.
(1,4) have similarSince the elements
definitions. Since inthethe proposed
elements in
MIMO
the proposed MIMO antenna are identical and symmetrical, the group delay (1,2)(1,4)
antenna are identical and symmetrical, the group delay (1,2) and group delay and
are almost
group delaysimilar. As almost
(1,4) are shown similar.
in FigureAs14, the variations
shown in Figurein14,group delay are in
the variations higher
group fordelay
the
high operating
are higher spectrum.
for the The totalspectrum.
high operating group delay Thevalue of the proposed
total group delay valueMIMO
of theantenna
proposed is
less than 1.4 ns.
MIMO antenna is less than 1.4 ns.
 delay variation of the proposed MIMO antenna in the operating band. Group delay (1,1)
denotes the delay from port 1 to port 1, Group delay (1,2) indicates the delay from port 1
to port 2, and group delay (1,3) and (1,4) have similar definitions. Since the elements in
the proposed MIMO antenna are identical and symmetrical, the group delay (1,2) and
group delay (1,4) are almost similar. As shown in Figure 14, the variations in group delay
Sensors 2023, 23, 2484 11 of 16
are higher for the high operating spectrum. The total group delay value of the proposed
MIMO antenna is less than 1.4 ns.

Figure 14.
Figure 14. Group
Group delay
delay of
of the
the proposed
proposedMIMO
MIMOantenna.
antenna.

3.3.
3.3. Far-Field
Far-Field Radiation
Radiation Characteristics
Characteristics
The
The far-field resultsare
far-field results areobtained in in
obtained thethe
microwave
microwaveanechoic chamber,
anechoic withwith
chamber, the excited
the ex-
port connected to the testing cable and the other ports terminated to 50 Ω matched
cited port connected to the testing cable and the other ports terminated to 50 Ω matched loads.
Figure 15 presents the simulated and measured co-polarization and cross-polarization
loads. Figure 15 presents the simulated and measured co-polarization and cross-polariza-
radiation patterns
tion radiation of theofproposed
patterns UWB-MIMO
the proposed UWB-MIMO antenna in theinE-plane
antenna and H-plane
the E-plane at 3,
and H-plane
6.5, and 10 GHz, respectively. As shown in Figure 15, the radiation mode of the antenna
is relatively stable at low frequencies, whereas the radiation pattern of the antenna is
distorted in the middle and high frequencies. It has been observed that the E-plane co-
polarizations are directional, and the cross-polarizations are small, less than −20 dB in
the main radiation directions. It has also been observed that the H-plane co-polarizations
are quasi-omnidirectional and the cross-polarizations are small, less than 15 dB than co-
polarizations. The measured results of the antenna radiation pattern are in good agreement
with the simulated ones.
Figure 16 illustrates the simulated and measured results of peak gain and radiation
efficiency of the proposed UWB-MIMO antenna. The peak gain ranges from 2 to 5.1 dBi
within the operating frequency band, while the radiation efficiency is greater than 82%,
indicating stable radiation characteristics.
Table 2 provides a summary and comparison of the antenna performance of the pro-
posed design with other recent research studies. Compared with previous designs [9,35],
the proposed antenna demonstrates a wider bandwidth. Additionally, it exhibits better iso-
lation than [36,37] and a smaller size than [38,39]. Overall, considering its size, bandwidth,
isolation, and cost, the proposed antenna offers several advantages [40].
The proposed antenna design incorporates several optimization techniques, as dis-
cussed in Section 2, including a stepped rectangular radiation patch to reduce antenna size,
an asymptote-shaped microstrip-feeder to broaden bandwidth, and decoupling structures
in the form of a windmill shape and a rotating extended cross shape to enhance antenna
isolation. These optimization methods result in a compact antenna with wide bandwidth
and excellent isolation characteristics. However, the main drawback of the proposed de-
sign is its relatively complicated geometry, as it adopts asymptote-shaped structures in
several places.
 tenna is relatively stable at low frequencies, whereas the radiation pattern of the antenna
is distorted in the middle and high frequencies. It has been observed that the E-plane co-
polarizations are directional, and the cross-polarizations are small, less than −20 dB in the
main radiation directions. It has also been observed that the H-plane co-polarizations are
quasi-omnidirectional and the cross-polarizations are small, less than 15 dB than co-po-
Sensors 2023, 23, 2484 12 of 16
larizations. The measured results of the antenna radiation pattern are in good agreement
with the simulated ones.

Figure 15.
Figure 15. Simulated
Simulatedand measured
and radiation
measured patterns
radiation of the
patterns of proposed antenna
the proposed in E-plane
antenna and H-
in E-plane
plane.
and H-plane.
Sensors 2023, 23, x FOR PEER REVIEW 13 of 16

Figure 16 illustrates the simulated and measured results of peak gain and radiation
efficiency of the proposed UWB-MIMO antenna. The peak gain ranges from 2 to 5.1 dBi
Sensors 2023, 23, 2484 13 of 16
within the operating frequency band, while the radiation efficiency is greater than 82%,
indicating stable radiation characteristics.

Figure 16.
Figure 16. Simulation
Simulation and
and measured
measured peak
peak gain
gain and
and efficiency.
efficiency.

TableTable 2 provides
2. Comparison a summary
of several and comparison
ultrawide-band of the antenna
MIMO antennas in recentperformance
studies. of the pro-
posed design with other recent research studies. Compared with previous designs [9,35],
the Size
proposed Operating
Refs. Substrate mm3 /λantenna
1
0 mm
3 demonstrates a wider bandwidth. Additionally,
Gain (dBi) it exhibitsECC
Isolation (dB) better
isolation than [36,37] and a smaller Frequency
size(GHz)
than [38,39]. Overall, considering its size, band-
× 38 × 0.762
width,38isolation, and cost, the proposed antenna offers several advantages [40]. <0.5
[7] Neltec 3∼15 0.5∼5 >15
0 × 0.38λ
(0.38λThe 0 × 0.0076λ
proposed 0)
antenna design incorporates several optimization techniques, as dis-
cussed60in×Section
60 × 1.62, including a stepped rectangular radiation patch to reduce antenna
[9] FR4 3∼11 >3.4 >20 <0.02
size, 0 × 0.6λ
(0.6λan 0 × 0.016λ0 )
asymptote-shaped microstrip-feeder to broaden bandwidth, and decoupling
structures
58 ×in58the
× 0.8 form of a windmill shape and a rotating extended cross shape to enhance
[27] FR4 3∼13.5 2.2∼4 >22 <0.008
0.73λ0 × isolation.
(antenna 0.88λ0 × 0.008λThese0 ) optimization methods result in a compact antenna with wide

Rogers bandwidth
16 × 71.5 and excellent isolation characteristics. However, the main drawback of the
× 0.254
[29] 3.2∼14 3∼5.6 >22 <0.006
RT/duriod5880 (proposed design
0.17λ0 × 0.76λ 0 × is its relatively
0.0027λ 0) complicated geometry, as it adopts asymptote-shaped
Taconic structures
38.3 ×in several
38.3 × 0.8 places.
[30] 3∼13.2 0.5∼6.3 >17 <0.03
RF-45 (0.38λ0 × 0.38λ0 × 0.008λ0 )
Table 2. Comparison of several ultrawide-band MIMO antennas in recent studies.
50 × 50 × 1.6
[35] FR4 3.1∼10.6 2∼6 >17 <0.02
(0.52λ0 × 0.52λSize
0 × 0.0165λ0 ) Operating
𝟑 × 2.31
Gain Isolation
Refs. Substrate 𝐦𝐦
56.1 × 67.9 /𝝀𝟎 Frequency ECC
[36] FR4 3.89∼17.09 ∼6.8
3.4(dBi) (dB)>15 <0.02
(0.73λ0 × 0.88λ
𝐦𝐦 0×𝟑 0.03λ0 )
(GHz)
4238××4238××1.6
0.762
[7]
[37] Neltec
FR4 3~15
3∼11 30.5~5
∼4.5 >15>15 <0.5
<0.05
((0.38𝜆
0.42λ0 0××0.42λ
0.38𝜆
0× × 0.0076𝜆
0 0.016λ 0) 0)
65 ×60×60×1.6
65 × 1.6
[9]
[38] FR4
FR4 3~11
3.1∼10.6 >3.4
N/A >20>15 <0.02
<0.025
(0.6𝜆 ×
(0.67λ0 ×0 0.67λ 0.6𝜆
0×0× 0.016𝜆
0.0165λ 0 )0)

75.19 × 58×58×0.8
75.19 × 1.6
[27]
[39] FR4
FR4 3.1∼3~13.5
17.3 2.2~4
1∼5 >22>15 <0.008
<0.1
(0.73𝜆
(0.78λ 0 ×0 × 0.88𝜆
0.78λ × 0.008𝜆
0 × 00.0165λ 0 ) 0)
Rogers 16×71.5×0.254
42 × 42 × 1
[29]
Prop. FR4 3.093.2~14
∼12 23~5.6
∼5.1 >22
>16.4 <0.006
<0.02
RT/duriod5880 (0.17𝜆
(0.43λ0 × 0× 0.76𝜆
0.43λ × 0.0027𝜆
0 ×0 0.0103λ 0 ) 0)
Taconic 38.3×38.3×0.8
1 λ represents the wavelength in the air at the lowest frequency. 0.5~6.3
[30] 0 3~13.2 >17 <0.03
RF-45 (0.38𝜆0 × 0.38𝜆0 × 0.008𝜆0 )
4. Conclusions 50×50×1.6
[35] FR4 3.1~10.6 2~6 >17 <0.02
(0.52𝜆 In this0.52𝜆
0 × paper,0 ×a0.0165𝜆
compact 0 )four-element UWB-MIMO antenna with high isolation and

ultrawide impedance bandwidth is proposed. Asymptote-shaped structures are introduced

in the radiation patch, microstrip feeder, and decoupling structure to achieve a miniatur-
ized size with a wide band and high isolation. A prototype of the proposed antenna is
fabricated, and its S parameters, MIMO diversity characteristics, radiation pattern, peak
gain, and other parameters are investigated through simulation and measurement. The
Sensors 2023, 23, 2484 14 of 16

results show good agreement between the simulated and measured values. The antenna
operates over a frequency range of 3.09–12 GHz, has overall dimensions of 42 × 42 mm2
(0.43λ × 0.43λ@ 3.09 GHz), and achieves isolation of less than −16.4 dB, making it compact
and highly isolated. The antenna also exhibits good radiation and MIMO diversity charac-
teristics, with an ECC less than 0.02, a DG larger than 9.991 dB, a TARC less than −20 dB,
and group delay values less than 1.4 ns for the entire operating spectrum.
With the above characteristics, the proposed design has several advantages that make
it well-suited for various applications, including:
• Wide bandwidth: The antenna has the ability to operate over a wide frequency range,
enabling it to support high data rates and a large number of applications.
• Multipath mitigation: MIMO technology can effectively mitigate the effects of multi-
path fading, which is a common problem in wireless communication systems. This
can lead to improved signal quality and higher data rates.
• Interference resistance: UWB technology is known for its ability to resist interference,
making the proposed design well-suited for use in crowded environments where
multiple wireless devices are in use.
Overall, the combination of UWB technology and MIMO technology in a single
antenna provides several advantages that make the proposed antenna well-suited for
applications such as WPANs, WSNs, and indoor positioning and tracking.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, A.W. and Y.T.; methodology, A.W. and Y.T.; validation,
A.W. and Y.T.; formal analysis, A.W. and Y.T.; investigation, Y.T. and Z.Z.; writing—original draft
preparation, Y.T.; writing—review and editing, A.W., Y.T. and Z.F.; supervision, P.Z.; project adminis-
tration, P.Z. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This work was supported by the following foundations: The National Natural Science
Foundation of China under Grant No. 61501153, Fundamental Research Funds for the Provincial
Universities of Zhejiang, Grant No. GK219909299001-024, and Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science
Foundation of China under Grant No. LQ22F010014.
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: Not applicable.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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