A Conformal Multi-Band MIMO Antenna for Vehicular Communications

This paper proposes a conformal multiple band four port MIMO antenna for next generation vehicular communications in the extended UWB. The single element consists of a monopole antenna resembling a U-shaped structure with two branches folded and complimentary to each other. It uses coplanar waveguide feeding with a defected ground structure. The antenna is printed on a Kapton Polyamide flexible substrate having a thickness of 0.25 mm. The antenna has dimensions of 0.8 lambda X 0.8 lambda X 0.001 lambda. It resonates at 2.6 GHz, 3.9 GHz, and 5.6 GHz which are used in vehicular communications, and can be used in sub-6 GHz 5G applications. It also provides band notches at 2.1 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 4.5 GHz which enables it to mitigate the interferences from any narrow band devices operating in that range. All MIMO parameters are simulated and compared with the measured results, and are found to be in good agreement. The designed antenna can be mounted at any position of the vehicle as it has a conformal structure.