Exploring the Impact of 5G MIMO Antennas on Advanced Wireless Networks

Planar-Printed Antennas
By Amine Boussada | 14/04/2023

5G MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antennas are critical components of fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks. They employ multiple antennas to transmit and receive signals, which improves network capacity, reduces latency, and enables faster data transfer rates. Some of the key applications of 5G MIMO antennas include mobile communication systems, where they are used to increase network coverage and capacity. The automotive industry also benefits from 5G MIMO antennas for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving. In addition, 5G MIMO antennas are used in areas with high network congestion, such as sports stadiums, to provide reliable and fast connectivity to a large number of users. Overall, 5G MIMO antennas are crucial for the development of 5G technology, improving network performance and supporting a wide range of applications.


Four-Element MIMO Antennas


The design of 5G MIMO antennas requires careful consideration of various factors, including the number of elements, isolation between antennas, and high gain. Increasing the number of elements can improve the performance of the antenna, resulting in higher signal quality and capacity. However, increasing the number of elements also increases the complexity and cost of the system. Isolation between antennas is critical to prevent cross-talk and ensure independent antenna operation. High gain can provide a stronger signal for better coverage, but it may also increase the complexity of the antenna system. Therefore, the number of elements, isolation, and gain must be carefully designed and optimized for the reliable and efficient operation of 5G wireless networks.

Inverted-L shaped antenna elements are printed on Rogers 5880 substrate (εr = 2.2, tan δ = 0.0009). They are arranged in an orthogonal rotational manner as shown in Fig1. The ground planes are interconnected using a circular ring.




Fig. 1. Top Plane





Fig. 2. Bottom Plane


The above system is simulated, and the following results are obtained:



Fig. 3. Frequency (GHz)




Fig. 4. Frequency (GHz)





Fig. 5. E-Field Distribution (26 GHz)






Fig. 6. 3D Radiation Pattern (35 GHz)


According to the figures presented above, it is evident that the MIMO antenna has a wide bandwidth (27 GHz to 40 GHz), making it highly versatile for use in a range of Millimeter-Wave 5G Applications. Mutual coupling arises due to the induction of voltage in one element because of current induction from another element. The proposed design provides more than 18 dB of isolation. The E-field distribution shows that the antenna elements are well isolated. The antenna achieves a gain of 7.1 dB at 35 GHz.

Conclusion


5G MIMO antennas use multiple antennas to enhance data transfer rates and capacity, but designing high-gain and isolated 5G MIMO antennas can be a challenge. HFWorks offers a powerful virtual prototyping capability that enables engineers to optimize antenna performance and achieve the desired bandwidth, gain, and isolation. By analyzing electromagnetic fields, radiation patterns, and signal reflections, HFWorks makes the design process easy and helps improve the 5G network's capabilities.

References
A.Patel, A. Vala, A. Desai, I. Elfergani, D. Chauhan, J. Rodriguez, “Inverted-L Shaped Wideband MIMO Antenna for Millimeter-Wave 5G Applications “