Enhancing MIMO Antenna Isolation with Novel Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) Structure and Genetic Algorithm Optimization

Abstract

ABSTRACT A novel Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) structure is proposed to minimize common connector between closely spaced rectangular patch antennas. The 2D EBG architecture is placed on the horizontal plane of a 1/2 rectangle patch antenna array, reducing mutual coupling by over 20 dB without compromising far-field performance, gain, or bandwidth. By optimizing the EBG structure using a genetic algorithm, noise is reduced by −60 dB compared to −25 dB without it, improving the isolation of the antenna array. Inserting 3 EBG modules between the two patches decreases the 2.45 GHz mutual coupling to −60 dB, showcasing the significant enhancement in isolation. This MIMO antenna design with an EBG structure is suitable for wireless LAN communication systems, offering improved signal separation and performance. The proposed method integrates square patch antennas operating at 24 GHz with a metamaterial EBG structure on a Rogers R04350B substrate, using a genetic algorithm for optimization. Experimental results demonstrate over 22 dB improvement in isolation between antenna elements, maintaining consistent radiation patterns across frequencies.