Design MIMO Antenna with Decoupling Structure for Mutual Coupling Improvement

This research project presents a design of dual element Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) using simple rectangular patch integrated with decoupling ground structure (DGS) for mutual coupling reduction and improve antenna isolation. The decoupling structure on the ground has been introduce between antennas to improve isolation. Four different DGS structures with varying dimensions have been developed, to test the mutual coupling between dual element antennas. The DGS with “structure B” have been chose for final antenna design due to its good in isolation. By using the structure B, the antenna isolation has reduced from −16.69dB to −24.72dB. The result shows 32.48% isolation improvement for the antenna with structure B. The antenna was simulated and optimized at 2.5 GHz with permittivity
$\varepsilon \mathrm{r}=4.3$
and thickness
$\mathrm{h}=1.6\text{mm}$
on a FR-4 lossy substrate using Computer Simulation Technology (CST). The antennas are matched at their respective operating frequencies. The modelling and manufacturing results demonstrated that the antenna functions well.