Dual-Wide Multi-Band (DWMB) four-port flexible MIMO antenna for on-body multiple wireless applications including high diversity performance.

Abstract

The single-input-single-output technology experiences loss of data in the communication channel due to the receiving antenna undergoing fading of the signal impinged on it. Today's need is faster data transfer with multiple applications in the single antenna with multiple-identical radiating elements, leading to multiple-input-multiple-outputDWMB (MIMODWMB) technology. The MIMODWMB configuration with multi-band capability is the objective of the proposed work with applications ranging between microwave-millimeterWave bands. The four-port Dual-Wide Multi-Band (DWMB) MIMODWMB antenna radiating electro-magnetic-energy is proposed, which generates measured bandwidths of 7.27GHz-34.32GHz (Band 1) and 46.54GHz-71.52GHz (Band 2) including applications Up-link/Down-link Satellite System, X-Band, Ku-Band, ISM 24.0GHz (24.0GHz-24.25GHz), 24.0GHz UWB Band (21.65GHz-26.65GHz), n258, n257/n261 and n263 V-band. The proposed antenna technology is printed on Rogers's low permittivity substrate with a hexagon patch etched with dual merged-elliptical slot and three identical circular slots to achieve high impedance matching for Band 1. The partial-ground is etched by a rectangular slot for better impedance matching, and two-thin-etched rectangular slits generate 60.0GHz Band 2. The thin substrate, thickness 0.254mm, is utilized for flexible applications without compromising the operation of dual wide bandwidths. The flexible antenna is also subjected to analysis of Specific-Absorption-Rate (SAR) analysis at key frequencies within both the bands and found to be within the standard limit of 1.60W/Kg for 1g of the human tissue model and corresponds to 1.01W/Kg at 10.0GHz, 0.280W/Kg at 15.0GHz, 0.475W/Kg at 26.0GHz, 0.588W/Kg at 28.0GHz & 0.301W/Kg at 60.0GHz. The high diversity performance with Envelope Correlation Coefficient<0.50, Diversity Gain≈10.0dB, Total Active Reflection Coefficent<0dB, Channel Capacity Loss<0.40b/s/Hz and multi-band capability for mobile users make the proposed work suitable for flexible on-body applications in a wireless environment. The proposed work MIMODWMB antenna offers advantages such as reduced size (20mm×24mm: 0.61λ0×0.74λ0 at λ0 = 7.27GHz) and a wide range of impedance bandwidths, which are useful for several applications. Also, due to the flexible nature of the design, they can be used for future on-body wearable applications.