Multiport Pixel Antenna Optimization Using Characteristic Mode Analysis and Sequential Feeding Port Search

An optimization approach for multiport pixel antenna design using
${N}$
-port characteristic mode analysis (CMA) and sequential feeding port selection is proposed. CMA is utilized to characterize the maximum number of independent or orthogonal resonant modes that can be formed in the limited space constrained by the size of the pixel antenna. Once the maximum number of orthogonal resonance modes is found sequential feeding port selection is proposed to find the optimum feed positions to independently excite each of the orthogonal resonance modes. The resulting design does not need additional complex feeding networks or impedance matching circuits, making the physical implementation of the design straightforward, compact and practical. Two examples are provided to verify the performance of the proposed approach, including a 3-port pixel antenna and a 4-port pixel antenna operating at 2.4 GHz. The performance of the optimized antennas is very good, and verifies the usefulness of the proposed approach.