Enhanced smartphone connectivity: dual-band MIMO antenna with high isolation and low ECC

Abstract In this research, an eight-element dual-band modified T-shaped slot antenna array is presented for high-performance integration into smartphones. This advanced antenna system operates efficiently across two critical frequency bands, 3.37-3.61 GHz and 4.9-5.1 GHz, catering to the sub-6 GHz 5G spectrum. The antenna elements are symmetrically arranged on the ground plane, measuring 20 x 11.8 mm2 (0.233 λ x 0.138λ). A notable design feature is the introduction of section Dx, with dimensions d1 and d2, strategically positioned between the ground-mounted antennas to enhance isolation among radiating elements by effectively managing surface currents. The proposed design is fabricated and isolation levels below -14 dB is achieved, with an Envelope Correlation Coefficient (ECC) lower than 0.05 in the lower frequency band and 0.02 in the higher band. It demonstrated impressive efficiency ranging from 48.5% to 63.7%, a channel capacity of 38.8 bps/Hz, and a gain of 3.9 dBi.