electronics

Article
Characteristic Mode Analysis and Design of Wide
Band MIMO Antenna Consisting of Metamaterial
Unit Cell
Adamu Halilu Jabire , Hong-Xing Zheng * , Anas Abdu and Zhiwei Song
School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China;
Adamu.jabire@tsuniversity.edu.ng (A.H.J.); anas.abdu@fud.edu.ng (A.A.), suzawer@163.com (Z.S.)
* Correspondence: hxzheng@hebut.edu.cn; Tel.: +86-2260438244




Received: 1 December 2018; Accepted: 2 January 2019; Published: 8 January 2019


Abstract: This paper presents a full wave simulation and characteristic mode-based design of
a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna at 5.8 GHz for wireless local area network
applications. The driven analysis comprises two antennas that are placed orthogonal to each other.
A metamaterial unit structure in the form of a rectangular loop resonator is placed around the
antenna element to reduce the electromagnetic interference and to increase the isolation between
the two monopoles. A characteristic mode technique is employed to find out the dominant mode of
the proposed antenna without a feeding port. It was revealed that mode 1 was the dominant mode
among the three modes used. The MIMO antenna is constructed and measured using a vector network
analyzer. A good isolation of less than 25 dB was attained with a wide impedance bandwidth of 65.5%.

Keywords: rectangular loop resonator; multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO); mutual coupling;

envelope correlation coefficient

1. Introduction
The increasing demand for higher data throughput and the need for more reliable connections has
motivated the use of multiple antenna techniques, which is a key feature for increasing the performance
of wireless communication systems. In order to improve high data rates and secrecy, multiple antennas
can be applied with spatial multiplexing, moreover, channel capacity can be greatly increased without
sacrificing the spectrum of frequency and transmit power [1–4]. Multiple-input-multiple output
(MIMO) antennas should have multiple ports and it is expedient to have those ports isolated and well
matched as no matching network is connected. Although, different applications will have different
properties when it comes to design, the major challenge faced by many space-limited applications
are the difficulties in implementation and the increasing commutation in spatial diversity [5].
Another challenge facing the design of MIMO antenna are the electromagnetic interactions among the
array elements called mutual coupling [6]. When several antenna elements are placed close proximity
to each other, the electric field generated by one antenna alters the current distribution on the other
antennas, therefore, the radiation pattern and input impedance of each array element are distributed
based on the presence of the other elements [7]. The effect of mutual coupling severely degrades how
the MIMO system performs, due to that, all the antenna elements have to be considered together
as one aperture. In order to reduce the space and mutual coupling between the antenna elements,
researchers have used various methods including the use of defected ground structure s(DGS) [8,9],
neutralization lines [10] and electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures [11,12]. Metamaterials have
attracted much interest over the last few years, as they introduce interesting possibilities for how to
improve antenna performance; they are used as a protective measure between two radiating elements

Electronics 2019, 8, 68; doi:10.3390/electronics8010068 www.mdpi.com/journal/electronics

Electronics 2019, 8, 68 2 of 14

to control and limit propagation among antenna elements and to lower the electromagnetic interactions
among them [13–16]. Some interesting designs has been reported in the recent literature on the use
of metamaterials to increase the isolation of an antenna. A letter presented in [17] demonstrated the
use of a split rectangular loop resonator inspired MIMO monopoles for a global system for mobile
(GSM)/long-term evolution (LTE)/wireless local area network (WLAN) applications, where a long
stub together with four metamaterial unit cells was used. The use of a complementary split ring
resonator (CSRR) has been studied in [18,19] where the CSRR is used to lower the resonant frequency
of the radiating element as well as to produce multiple resonance. The work in [19] used a split ring
resonator, which was placed between the two elements so as to increase the isolation characteristics
higher than 15 dB over the band of interest.
Characteristic mode analysis (CMA) has become a favorable tool for analyzing and designing
antennas, mainly due to the physical insight gained about antenna operating principles without
considering any particular feeding [20]. Characteristic mode theory is a modal analysis technique for
antennas of arbitrary shape. It also gives a clear understanding of the resonating frequency of specific
modes, radiation patterns and the corresponding mode current [21–25]. The use of characteristic
mode theory for the design and analysis of antennas has been investigated in the recent literature.
For instance, a MIMO handheld antenna design using characteristic mode technique was realized
in [26]. Similarly, a multi-port multiband chassis-mode antenna design using characteristic modes
was analyzed in [27]. A pattern reconfigurable MIMO antenna was designed using CMA in [28].
Another MIMO antenna, with low mutual coupling and low correlation, was designed and analyzed
using CMA in [29]. However, none of the above mentioned techniques utilized metamaterial. In this
study, six metamaterial unit cells are used in exciting three different modes using a multilayer solver in
computer simulation technology (CST). Characteristic mode theory was originally proposed in 1970 by
Garbacz [30], and further refined by Harrington [31]. The characteristic modes are obtained by solving
an eigenvalues equation that is deduce from the method of moment matrix, separated in to real and
imaginary components, as shown in the following equations:

[ Z ] = [ R] + j[ X ] (1)

[ X ] In = λn [ R] In (2)

where [z] is the method of moment impedance matrix, which has to be symmetrical to a large degree to
get real and imaginary current In [32]. λn is the eigenvalue, R and X represent the real and imaginary
part of the impedance matrix. Two important parameters, the characteristic angle α [33] and the modal
significance [34] are obtained with the eigenvalue. The resulted response of a given antenna can be
express in terms of its characteristic modal response as:

→ N →
J = ∑ Cn J n (3)
n =1

where Cn are the coefficient to be determined, and once the coefficient is obtained then Equation (3)
can become:
N
Vni J n
J= ∑ (4)
n =1
1 + jλn

From Equations (2) and (3), the expression for [Cn ] will be:
 
 Vn 
|Cn | =  = |Vn | Ms (5)
1 + jλn 

Note that MS is the modal significance and Vni is the weighted excitation coefficient which
represents how strongly a mode is excited. In this study, we used a transient analysis solver to analyze
 isolation improvements of MIMO antenna. The major contributions of this work are summarized as
follows:
• A full wave simulation tool was used to analyze the performance of MIMO antenna.
• A technique that utilizes metamaterial unit cell structure was developed with the aim of
Electronics 2019, 8, 68 3 of 14
increasing isolation between MIMO radiating elements
• More than 25 dB of isolation was achieved in the design considered.
and• design
UsedaaMIMOcharacteristic
antennamode
usingtometamaterial
offer physical insight
unit about
cells to giveantenna operating
an insight principles
regarding and to
the isolation
find the of
improvements resonating frequency
MIMO antenna. Theofmajor
specific modes.
contributions of this work are summarized as follows:
• Construction and measurement of a MIMO antenna to verify the design concept and to confirm
• A full wave simulation tool was used to analyze the performance of MIMO antenna.
the simulated results.
• A technique that utilizes metamaterial unit cell structure was developed with the aim of increasing
The restbetween
isolation of the study
MIMOisradiating
organizedelements.
as follows. Section 2 presents the parametric analysis of the
• design to come up with best values of
More than 25 dB of isolation was achieved the geometry, Section
in the design 3 characterizes the proposed MIMO
considered.
antenna design using full wave simulation. Section 4 presents the analysis and design of the MIMO
• Used a characteristic mode to offer physical insight about antenna operating principles and to
antenna using characteristic mode theory. Section 5 is the diversity analysis of the MIMO antenna,
find the resonating frequency of specific modes.
and Section 6 concludes the letter.
• Construction and measurement of a MIMO antenna to verify the design concept and to confirm
the simulated results.
2. Parametric Analysis of the Design
The
Therest of the study
parametric is organized
analysis as follows.
is presented Section values
using different 2 presents
of Pthe
fromparametric analysis
the geometry, of the
to have best
design to come up with best values of the geometry, Section 3 characterizes the proposed MIMO
values that can give us a better performance of the antenna, in terms of its reflection coefficient. Figure
antenna
1 showsdesign
the S11using full wave
for various simulation.
length Sectionshows
of P, it clearly 4 presents the analysis
that when andofdesign
the value P was of
23 the
mm,MIMO
the S11
antenna using characteristic mode theory. Section 5 is the diversity analysis of the MIMO
was at 5.8 GHz, which is the required frequency band of interest. Though the remaining plots antenna, andare
Section 6 concludes the letter.
also within the range of −10 dB.
Another analysis was set up, but this time around it was for metamaterial unit cells, the results
2. Parametric Analysis of the Design
show the effect of adding up to six in both S11 and S21. Figure 2 pictures the S11 of different unit
Thewith
cells, parametric
six unit analysis is presented
cells giving using different
a better matching of the values of P from the
input impedance. geometry,
Figure to have
3 is the bestthe
plot for
values that can give us a better performance of the antenna, in terms of its reflection coefficient.
isolation of the antenna, it is clearly shows that as the unit cells increased, the isolation also increased Figure 1
shows
which thesignifies
S11 for that
various
the length of P, it of
introduction clearly shows that
metamaterial when
unit the
cells value of P
enhanced was
the 23 mm, theof
performance S11
the
was at 5.8 GHz,
antenna which is the
and increased the required
isolationfrequency
between the band of interest.
MIMO antenna.Though the remaining plots are also
within the range of −10 dB.

Figure 1. S11 plot for various length of P.

Figure 1. S11 plot for various length of P.
Another analysis was set up, but this time around it was for metamaterial unit cells, the results
show the effect of adding up to six in both S11 and S21. Figure 2 pictures the S11 of different unit cells,
with six unit cells giving a better matching of the input impedance. Figure 3 is the plot for the isolation
of the antenna, it is clearly shows that as the unit cells increased, the isolation also increased which
signifies that the introduction of metamaterial unit cells enhanced the performance of the antenna and
increased the isolation between the MIMO antenna.
 Electronics 2018, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 15

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Figure 2. S11 plot for various quantity of metamaterial unit cell.

Figure 2. S11 plot for various quantity of metamaterial unit cell.

Figure 2. S11 plot for various quantity of metamaterial unit cell.

Figure 3. S21 plot for various quantity of metamaterial unit cell.

Figure 3. S21 plot for various quantity of metamaterial unit cell.
3. Antenna Design and Simulation Using Full Wave Simulation
3. Antenna Design and Simulation
Figure 3. S21 plotUsing Full Wave
for various quantity Simulation
of metamaterial unit cell.
The geometry of the two element MIMO monopole is pictured in Figure 4a,b. The design was
performedThe geometry
using of the two
computer element technology
simulation MIMO monopole version is2017
pictured(CSTinAG, Figure 4a,b. TheGermany).
Darmstadt, design was
3. Antenna Design and Simulation Using Full Wave Simulation
performed
The MIMO antenna using computer
was mounted simulation
on an technology
FR4 substrate version
with a2017 (CSTpermittivity
relative AG, Darmstadt, of 4.3,Germany).
a 0.025 lossThe
MIMO
tangent The
and geometry
antenna
heightwas of of the
mounted
1.6 mm. two theelement
on an FR4
system MIMO monopole
substrate
consist of twowith is
a pictured
printed relative in
onFigure
patchespermittivity 4a,b.
top separate The
by adesign
of 4.3, 0.025 was
loss
distance
performed
oftangent
0.29λo (22 using
andmm) height computer
(topofview)
1.6 mm. simulation
and the system
a ground technology
consist
plane ofversion
(bottomtwo view),2017where
printed (CST λAG,
patches ison Darmstadt,
top
the free spaceGermany).
separate The
by a distance
wavelength.
TheMIMO0.29 λo between
of distance antenna was
(22 mm) the mounted
(toptwo view) on an
antennas FR4
and awas substrate
not too
ground plane with
wide a relative
and at view),
(bottom permittivity
the same time was
where λ is not
of 4.3, a
the too 0.025 loss
freeclose,
space
tangent
which and
is why the height of 1.6 mm. the system consist of two printed patches on top separate by a distance
wavelength. Thedecoupling
distance between structure thewas
twoemployed
antennas was to reduce
not too the interference.
wide and at theTwo samerows timeofwassplit
not
of 0.29 λo loop
rectangular (22 resonators
mm) (top were view)placedand aaround
groundthe plane
two (bottom
antenna view), where
element. Each λ
row is contained
the free spacesix
too close, which is why the decoupling structure was employed to reduce the interference. Two rows
elements whichThe is quite × 80 2.
wavelength.
of split rectangular loopenough
distance between
resonators to give
theperfect
were two
placed inductance.
antennas
around was The
thenot
twotoototal design
wide
antenna and area
at
element. thewassame
Each 40
rowtime mmnot
was
contained
Figure
six 5a,b which
tooelements
close, shows
whichisawhy
two-dimensional
the enough
is quite decoupling to and 3D
structure
give view
perfect was ofemployed
a metamaterial
inductance. The totalunit
to reduce cell,
the
design which waswas
interference.
area ×etched
40 Two rows
80 mm 2.

onFigure
ofasplit
1.6 mm thick
rectangular FR4 epoxy
loop substrate
resonators werewith a
placed dielectric
around constant
the two of 4.3
antenna
5a,b shows a two-dimensional and 3D view of a metamaterial unit cell, which was etched on at a frequency
element. Each of
row1–12 GHz.
contained
Both
asix the
mm parameters
1.6elementsthick which
FR4 isofquite
Figures
epoxy enough4 andto
substrate 5give
area pictured
with perfect
dielectric in Tables of
inductance.
constant 1The
and 2. aFigure
4.3total
at design5b
frequency areashows
ofwas
1–12 a GHz.
40 unit
× 80 cell
mm
Both2.
dimension
Figure
the 5a,b
parameters × of
of 3shows a×two-dimensional
4.8Figures
1.6 on xyz 5coordinates.
4 and and 3D
are pictured The z-axis
view
in Tablesof ais the negative
2. Figuremagnetic
1metamaterial
and unit cell, permeability
5b shows which for theon
wasdimension
a unit cell etched
boundary
a 1.6
of 3 ×mm condition
4.8 ×thick
1.6 on FR4 while
xyzepoxy the x-axis
substrate
coordinates. is a
with
The two opening
a dielectric
z-axis where the port
constantmagnetic
is the negative was inserted
of 4.3 at permeability
a frequency offorwhich 1–12 propagates
theGHz. Both
boundary
the wave,
the
condition and
parameters finally
while of
the the
Figures y-axis
x-axis aistwo
4isand perfectly
5 are electric.
pictured
opening The theelectric
in Tables
where 1 and
port permittivity
was2. Figure
inserted retrieval
5bwhich was cell
showspropagates
a unit set using the
dimension
the wave,
S-parameter
and 4.8 × retrieval
of 3 ×finally 1.6
theony-axis
xyztechnique.
coordinates.
is perfectly The z-axisThe
electric. is the negative
electric magnetic retrieval
permittivity permeability was forsetthe boundary
using the S-
condition while
parameter the technique.
retrieval x-axis is a two opening where the port was inserted which propagates the wave,
and finally the y-axis is perfectly electric. The electric permittivity retrieval was set using the S-
parameter retrieval technique.
 Electronics 2018, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 15
Electronics 2019, 8, 68 5 of 14
Electronics 2018, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 15

Figure 4. Antenna geometry; top view (a), bottom view (b).

Figure 4. Antenna geometry; top view (a), bottom view

view (b).
(b).

(a) (b)
(a) (b)
Figure 5. Metamaterial unit cell; 2D view (a), 3D view (b).
Figure 5. Metamaterial unit cell; 2D view (a), 3D view (b).
Table 1. Optimized antenna parameters.
Figure 5. Metamaterial unit cell; 2D view (a), 3D view (b).
Table 1. Optimized antenna parameters.
Parameter Value (mm) Parameter Value (mm)
G Table 1. 0.6
Parameter Optimized
Value (mm) antenna parameters.
Parameter
R Value (mm)
15.5
H G 1.6 0.6 SR 15.5 7
L Parameter
H
Value
40 (mm)1.6
Parameter
T S
Value (mm)3.5
7
Lg G 110.6 RW 15.5 80
P
L 10.25
40 T 3.5
H 1.6 S Wg 7 40
Q Lg 1440 11 X W 80 2
L T 3.5
P 10.25 Wg 40
Lg 11 W 80
Q 14 X 2
P 10.25 Wg 40
Q 14 X 2
 Electronics 2018, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 15

Electronics Table 2. Metamaterial unit cell parameters.

2018,8,7,68x FOR PEER REVIEW
Electronics2019, 6 6ofof1415

Parameter Value (mm) Parameter Value (mm)

Table 2. Metamaterial unit cell parameters.
gTable 2. Metamaterial
3 unit cellkparameters. 1.75
Parameter
h Value1.6 (mm) Parameter l Value0.2 (mm)
Parameter Value (mm) Parameter Value (mm)
gi 3
4.8 km 1.75
1
g hj 3 1.62.4 ln k 0.2
4.2 1.75
h 1.6 l 0.2
i 4.8 m 1
i 4.8 m 1
The remaining j dimensions j of the2.4 2.4
rectangular n n
loop resonator are 4.2
fixed except 4.2 m, which is the gap
capacitance that is controlled by the length of k, the value of k was chosen to be 1.75 mm after a series
The remaining
of optimizations dimensions
because of the rectangular
the resonant loop resonator
frequency changed are fixed except
correspondingly from 4−8m, which is the gap
GHz. Figures 6a
The remaining
capacitance that is dimensions
controlled by of
thethe rectangular
length of k, the loop
value resonator
of k was are fixed
chosen to except
be 1.75 m, which
mm after aisseries
the
and 3b show the top and bottom views of the constructed design containing the two-element of the
gap
of capacitance that
optimizations is controlled by the length ofchangedk, the value of k was chosen to beGHz.
1.75 mm after
MIMO antenna because
togetherthe with resonant
six-unitfrequency
rectangular cells placedcorrespondingly
around them. fromFigure
4−8 Figures
7 presents 6a
the
aand
series
3b of optimizations
show top andbecause
thesimulated bottom the
views resonant
of the frequency changed correspondingly from 4–8 GHz.
measured and S11, and Figure 8 isconstructed
the measured design
andcontaining
simulated the two-element
voltage standingofwave the
Figures
MIMO 6a and 3b together
show the withtop and bottom views of the constructed design them.
containing the7two-element
ratio ofantenna
the MIMO system. Thesix-unit
measured rectangular cells
and simulated placed around
isolation Figure
(S21) is pictured presents
in Figure the
9. The
ofmeasured
the MIMO antenna
andofsimulated together with six-unit rectangular cells placed around them. Figure 7 presents
construction the MIMOS11, and Figure
antenna 8 is the measured
and measurement were carriedand simulated
out at thevoltage
Institutestanding wave
of Micro-nano
the measured
ratio of the MIMOand simulated
system. TheS11, and Figure
measured and 8simulated
is the measured
isolation and
(S21)simulated
is pictured voltage
in standing
Figure 9. The
Photoelectronic and Electromagnetic Technology Innovation School of Electronics and Information
wave ratio of the
construction of MIMO
the MIMO system.
antenna Theandmeasured and simulated
measurement were isolation
carried out at(S21)
the is pictured
Institute of in Figure 9.
Micro-nano
Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, China using N5244A network analyzer. The measured
The construction of
Photoelectronic andtheElectromagnetic
MIMO antenna and measurement were carried outofatElectronics
the Institute of Micro-nano
and simulated impedance width andTechnology Innovation
voltage standing waveSchool
ratio (VSWR < 2−10 dB)and Information
of the design
Photoelectronic
Engineering, and Electromagnetic Technology Innovation School of Electronics and Information
was 65.5%, ranging from 4.2 GHz to 8 GHz. The metamaterial unit cell permeability,measured
Hebei University of Technology, China using N5244A network analyzer. The real and
Engineering,
and simulated Hebei University of Technology,
impedance China usingwaveN5244Arationetwork analyzer. Theof measured
imaginary parts, is shown width
in Figure and10voltage standing
while Figure 11 is the MTM (VSWR
S11 and<S21. 2−10 dB) the design
and
wassimulated impedance
65.5%, ranging fromwidth and voltage
4.2 GHz to 8 GHz.standing
The wave ratio (VSWR
metamaterial unit< cell
2–10permeability,
dB) of the design realwasand
65.5%, ranging from 4.2 GHz to 8 GHz. The metamaterial
imaginary parts, is shown in Figure 10 while Figure 11 is the MTM S11 and S21. unit cell permeability, real and imaginary
parts, is shown in Figure 10 while Figure 11 is the MTM S11 and S21.

(a) (b)

(a) (b)
Figure 6. Fabricates antenna; top view (a), bottom view (b).
Figure 6. Fabricates antenna; top view (a), bottom view (b).
Figure 6. Fabricates antenna; top view (a), bottom view (b).

Figure 7. Measured and simulated S11.

Figure 7. Measured and simulated S11.

Figure 7. Measured and simulated S11.

 Electronics 2018, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 15

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Electronics 2019,
Electronics 8, 68
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14

Figure 8. Measured and simulated VSWR.

Figure 8. Measured and simulated VSWR.

Figure 8. Measured and simulated VSWR.
Figure 8. Measured and simulated VSWR.

Figure 9. Measured and simulated S21.

Figure 9. Measured and simulated S21.
Figure 9. Measured and simulated S21.

Figure 9. Measured and simulated S21.

Electronics 2018, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 15

Figure 10. Metamaterial permeability, real & imaginary parts.
Figure 10. Metamaterial permeability, real & imaginary parts.

Figure 10. Metamaterial permeability, real & imaginary parts.

Figure 10. Metamaterial permeability, real & imaginary parts.

Figure 11. Metamaterial S11 & S21.

Figure 11. Metamaterial S11 & S21.

4. Characteristic Mode Analysis of the MIMO Antenna

The theory of characteristic mode was applied to the two-element MIMO monopole antenna
without feeding structure using a multi-layer solver in computer simulation technology version 2017.
It represents the normalized amplitude of the current modes. This normalize amplitude does not
Electronics 2019, 8, 68 8 of 14

4. Characteristic Mode Analysis of the MIMO Antenna

The theory of characteristic mode was applied to the two-element MIMO monopole antenna
without feeding structure using a multi-layer solver in computer simulation technology version 2017.
It represents the normalized amplitude of the current modes. This normalize amplitude does not
depend on the feeding port but only depends on the shape and size of the conducting object. Figure 12
shows the modal significance of three modes, as can be seen that only mode 1 had modal significance
of up to 1 at the resonant frequency of 5.8 GHz. Mode 2 and mode 3 were at 5.5 GHz and 4.8 GHz.
Therefore, mode 1 will become dominant in the antenna. Figure 13 presents the characteristics angle
Electronics 2018, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 15
for the MIMO antenna at three different modes. Characteristic angle is defined in [31] as:

Electronics 2018, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW θ = 180 − tan−1 (λn ) 9(6)

of 15

Figure 12. Modal significance of three modes at 5.8 GHz.

Figure 12. Modal significance of three modes at 5.8 GHz.

Figure 12. Modal significance of three modes at 5.8 GHz.

Figure 13. Characteristic angle of three modes at 5.8 GHz.

Figure 13. Characteristic angle of three modes at 5.8 GHz.
Equation (5) gives a better interpretation of how energy is stored in the MIMO array. When the
characteristic angle is 180◦Figure 13. Characteristic
the mode angle of
resonates, when it three modes
is less 5.8◦ GHz.
thanat180 the mode stores magnetic
◦
energy and when it is greater than 180 the mode stores electric energy. From Figure 13, mode 1 was
almost at 5.8 GHz and remained the resonance frequency of interest. Figure 14 presents the modal
surface current and modal 3D radiation pattern of different modes at 5.8 GHz. We can see that mode 1,
being the dominant mode, had more gain as compared to the others which means mode 1 was also
playing a significant role in terms of reducing the mutual coupling of the MIMO antenna. Figure 15
present the eigenvalue for the three modes at the resonant frequency. From the results it was clearly
Electronics 2019, 8, 68 9 of 14

shown that the three modes were resonant with λn = 0 but mode 1 was more dominant. Figures 16–18
are the normalized 2D radiation patterns
Figure at 5.8 GHzangle
13. Characteristic for modes
of three1,modes
2 andat3.5.8
The pattern shows the E and
GHz.
H planes for the antenna element at 5.8 GHz.

Electronics 2018, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 10 of 15

Figure 14. Eigenvalues of three modes at 5.8 GHz.
Figure 14. Eigenvalues of three modes at 5.8 GHz.

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(e) (f)

15. Modal
FigureFigure surface current and modal 3D radiation pattern of 3 modes at 5.8 GHz; (a,b) mode 1,
15. Modal surface current and modal 3D radiation pattern of 3 modes at 5.8 GHz; (a,b) mode
(c,d) mode 2,mode
1, (c,d) (e,f) mode
2, (e,f) 3.
mode 3.
 (e) (f)

Figure 15. Modal surface current and modal 3D radiation pattern of 3 modes at 5.8 GHz; (a,b) mode
Electronics 2019, 8, 68 10 of 14
1, (c,d) mode 2, (e,f) mode 3.

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Electronics 2018, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 11 of 15

Figure 16. Radiation pattern for mode 1 at 5.8 GHz.
Figure 16. Radiation pattern for mode 1 at 5.8 GHz.

Figure 17. Radiation pattern for mode 2 at 5.8 GHz.

Figure 17. Radiation pattern for mode 2 at 5.8 GHz.
Figure 17. Radiation pattern for mode 2 at 5.8 GHz.

Figure 18. Radiation pattern for mode 3 at 5.8 GHz.

Figure 18. Radiation pattern for mode 3 at 5.8 GHz.
5. Diversity analysis of the MIMO antenna
Figure 18. Radiation pattern for mode 3 at 5.8 GHz.
5. Diversity analysis
To verify theof the MIMO
capability antennaantenna, it is important to have a low envelope correlation
of MIMO
coefficient
5. Diversity
To verify and
the acapability
analysis diversity gain
of the MIMO of antenna
of MIMO nearly 10 dB. itThe
antenna, ECC (ρe) are
is important to computed
have a low using the farcorrelation
envelope field radiation
pattern and
coefficient as calculated
To verify the
in Equation
a diversity gain
capability of MIMO
(6) [35]:
of nearly 10 dB.itThe
antenna, is important ( )
ECC ρetoare have computed using the
a low envelope far field
correlation
radiation
coefficientpattern
and a as calculated
diversity in of
gain Equation
nearly s(6)

10 [35]:

dB.
→ The ECC → ( )
ρe are computed
 2 using the far field
F
 [35]: ( ) ∗ F ( ) dΩ
 [ ]

4π 1 θ, φ 2 θ, φ 2 
radiation pattern as calculated in Equation  (6)
ρe =   F (θ , ϕ )∗2 F2 (sθ , ϕ)→dΩ 2 (7)
s 4π→ 1 
 [ ]
ρe =  4π F 1 (θ, φ2 )  dΩ 4π 2
F (θ , ϕ ) ∗ F (θ, ϕ )FdΩ 2 ( θ, 2φ )  dΩ (7)
ρe =  π [F (πθ , ϕ )] dΩ  π [F (θ , ϕ )] dΩ
   
1 2
4
1 2 (7)
[ ] [ ]
4 2 4 2
 F ( , )
 π of the MIMO antenna
θ ϕ d Ω F ( , ϕ )
 π after exciting port I and * stand as the
θ dΩ
where Fi (θ , ϕ ) is the far field property
1 2
4 4

where Fi (θ , ϕ )sign,
multiplication the
is the farproposed MIMOofantenna
field property ECCantenna
the MIMO was calculated from 1port
after exciting to 8 IGHz.
and *The diversity
stand as the
gain of MIMO antennas can be calculated from the ECC as:
multiplication sign, the proposed MIMO antenna ECC was calculated from 1 to 8 GHz. The diversity
gain of MIMO antennas can be calculated from the ECC as: 2
DG = 10 1 − ECC (8)
 Electronics 2019, 8, 68 11 of 14

→
where F i (θ, φ) is the far field property of the MIMO antenna after exciting port I and * stand as the
multiplication sign, the proposed MIMO antenna ECC was calculated from 1 to 8 GHz. The diversity
gain of MIMO antennas can be calculated from the ECC as:
Electronics 2018, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 of 15
p
DG = 10 1− ECC2 (8)

Figure 19 shows the ECC of the MIMO antenna with less than 0.002 over the entire frequency
Electronics
range. Figure 2018,
20 7,shows
x FOR PEER REVIEW gain of nearly 10 dB. While Figure 21 is the peak gain over the
the diversity 12 of 15
entire frequency range.

Figure 19. Envelope correlation coefficient of the MIMO antenna.

Figure 19. Envelope correlation coefficient of the MIMO antenna.
Figure 19. Envelope correlation coefficient of the MIMO antenna.

Figure 20. Diversity gain of the MIMO antenna.

Figure 20.20.
Figure Diversity
Diversitygain
gain of
of the MIMOantenna.
the MIMO antenna.
A comparison among the reported antenna and this study is summarized in Table 3, in terms of
impedance width, isolation, ECC and efficiency of the MIMO system. From Table 3, it is indicated
that compared to all other refered structures, the proposed split rectangular loop resonator exhibits
the highest value of S21 indicating its high isolation. The proposed MIMO antenna presents wider
impedance bandwidth cimpared to [16,21,28,29] and offers a simple design as compared to the complex
structure reported in [12].
 Figure 20. Diversity gain of the MIMO antenna.
Electronics 2019, 8, 68 12 of 14

Figure 21. Maximum gain over frequency.

Figure 21. Maximum gain over frequency.
Table 3. Comparison of the antenna with previous work.

Preference Bandwidth (%) S21 (dB) Efficiency (%) ECC

[12] - <−18 78 <0.018
[16] 5.51 <−24.5 - <0.04
[21] - <−20 51.17 <0.1
[28] 8 <−20 50–60 <0.02
[29] - <−20 - <0.06
This work 65.5 <−25 70 <0.002

6. Conclusions
In this paper, a linearly polarized wideband MIMO antenna consisting of metamaterial unit cells is
presented. We used two radiating MIMO elements in the design and analysis. Employing metamaterial
unit cells affects the isolation curve, with an isolation of less than 25 dB. The characteristic mode analysis
shows that mode 1 has a dominant mode. The simulated and measured results demonstrated good
performance of the proposed wideband MIMO antenna including an efficiency value of higher than
70% with an ECC of less than 0.002 and diversity gain of 0.99 dB, which is very good for 5.8 GHz
WLAN applications.

Author Contributions: A.H.J. and A.A. design and analyze the study. A.H.J., A.A. and Z.S. perform the
experiments. A.H.J. and Z.S. measure the antenna. A.H.J. write the paper. H.-X.Z. supervises the manuscript.
Funding: The research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under grant 61671200,
and the key project of Hebei Province Natural Science Foundation under grant F20172202283).
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Abbreviations
The following abbreviation are used in the manuscript:
MIMO Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output
CMA Characteristic mode analysis
LTE Long term evolution
WIMAX Worldwide interoperability for microwave access
CSRR Complementary split ring resonator
VSWR Voltage standing wave ratio
Electronics 2019, 8, 68 13 of 14

MTM Metamaterial
MS Modal significance
ECC Envelope correlation coefficient
DG Diversity gain
BW Bandwidth
GSM Global system for mobile
LTE Long term evolution
WLAN Wireless local area network

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