Wideband 4-port MIMO antenna array using fractal and complimentary split-ring structure for Ku-band appliances

Abstract

This article presents the wideband compact 4-port fractal MIMO antenna array for Ku-band applications. It incorporates the Koch snowflake fractal in combination with a complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) to achieve both miniaturization and a broad bandwidth. Further, to improve the effectiveness of the single-driven element, the 2-element linear array is constructed, fabricated, and tested. The single-driven element and the constructed array give good performance results. For pattern diversity, a 4-port MIMO configuration is developed and tested. The proposed MIMO array geometry realizes a wide bandwidth of 13.6−17.5 GHz, fractional bandwidth of 25.08%, a maximum gain of 6.95 dBi, and radiation efficiency of beyond 90% with superior isolation (>−30 dB). It provides better diversity performance parameters (Envelope correlation coefficient <0.001) over the resonating band. Also, channel capacity loss (CCL) <0.11 bit/s/Hz and the total active reflection coefficient (TARC) <−10 dB, parameters are perceived to be within adequate range. Therefore, the designed compact fractal antenna, 2-element array, and 4-port MIMO array are applicable for wide Ku-band applications.