Development of 60-GHz millimeter wave, electromagnetic bandgap ground planes for multiple-input multiple-output antenna applications

Abstract For 60-GHz band communications, both the mutual coupling and transmission distance restrict the performance of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array. Several studies presented different types of meta-materials and electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structures to improve the performance of a MIMO antenna array at the 60-GHz band. In this paper, we presented the four-element MIMO patch antenna with different types of EBG structures for the millimeter wave (mmW)communications at the 60-GHz unlicensed industrial, scientific, and medical band. The single element of the MIMO antenna array covered the mmW band from 57 GHz to 63 GHz having the dimensions of 1.3 mm × 1.8 mm × 0.1 mm. We developed a set of square-shaped, cross-shaped, and complex-slotted EBG ground planes between the antenna elements for the performance improvement. All the three EBG ground planes provided significant coupling reduction between the mmW MIMO antenna elements. The proposed EBG structures exhibited wide bandgap characteristics and improved scattering parameters in the desired frequency band. In contrast with the cross- and complex-slotted, the square-shaped EBG structure substantially improved the overall gain of MIMO antenna array. In addition, the square-shaped EBG reformed the maximum beam and enhanced the far-field gain pattern in the desired direction. Experimental results conducted with the fabricated prototypes showed a good agreement with the simulation results and adequately covered the 60-GHz band. The low-profile and salient features of the proposed MIMO antenna array shows the potential for on-chip applications at 60 GHz.