Mobile Terminal Antenna Performance With the User´s Hand: Effect of Antenna Dimensioning and Location

This letter reports a systematic simulation study of the performance of mobile terminal antennas in the vicinity of the user´s hand. The effects of antenna dimensioning and antenna location on the ground plane of the device are demonstrated. The studied performance parameters are quality factor, radiation efficiency, and frequency detuning. Based on the results, beneficial approaches and general guidelines for antenna designs with a reduced effect of the user´s hand can be given. For instance, it is shown that the radiation efficiency with the user´s hand stays nearly constant (variation <;0.2 dB) despite the changes in the antenna element height (2-6.6 mm at 900 and 2000 MHz).