An Eight-Port Antenna Array for 5G MIMO Handset

An eight-port handset antenna array for 5G multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) applications is proposed based on characteristic mode analysis (CMA). The antenna array is formed by four symmetrical dual-polarized loop antenna units with a dimension of 20 mm x 20 mm, which can be inset in the back cover of smartphone. By using CMA, proper positions are selected to excite a pair of orthogonal modes, so that good isolation is realized for the antenna unit. Meanwhile, in order to improve the isolation of the antenna array, a cross-shaped decoupling structure is employed in the center of the antenna array. And the isolation of the eight-port antenna array is improved from 7.5 dB to 13.0 dB in the desired band. Besides, the radiation performance, MIMO characteristic, and user's hand effect of the proposed antenna array are also analysed in simulation.