Novel design for reducing mutual coupling and signal correlation in diversity handset antennas

Fast development of next-generation wireless systems is driving further evolution of mobile phone antennas. This paper presents new design approach for reducing the mutual coupling and signal correlation of compact diversity/MIMO handset antenna elements by modifying the PCB ground plane. Parametric study to minimize the ports mutual coupling as well as calculation of envelope correlation coefficient by different methods confirming the very low correlation between antenna elements have been done. Antenna efficiencies and gain radiation patterns under 2-port excitation have been calculated to confirm the applicability of proposed design for handset antenna applications. The prototype of 2-element antenna has been developed and measured. The measured data agree well with the simulation results and verify very low signal correlation and ports mutual coupling being achieved by the approach presented in this work.