Simple Mu-Negative Half Mode CRLH Antenna Configuration for MIMO Applications

Abstract

A design of compact size mu-negative half mode composite right left handed metamaterial antenna, using only series capacitive loading, for MIMO application is presented. The proposed configuration is simple as it is realized using via free configuration. The MIMO antenna is formed using two antenna elements designed to operate at 5.8 GHz for wireless applications. The overall MIMO antenna size is only 2.6 × 2.6 cm^2 with in-between separation = 1.8 mm (0.034 lambda_0). Moreover, the ports mutual coupling reduction between the two antenna elements, achieved without using extra structure, is lower than -20 dB. Compared to conventional two microstrip patch MIMO antennas, our proposed configuration has more than 50 % size reduction and 9 dB enhancement in the mutual coupling for the same separation. The antenna design principles, full wave simulations, experimental measurements are introduced with good agreement. Finally, the MIMO parameters are extracted and discussed.