This paper presents a dual-band eight-element multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) array using a multi-slot decoupling technique for the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication. By employing a compact dual-loop antenna element, the proposed array obtains two broad bandwidths of 12.2% and 15.4% for sub-6GHz operation. To reduce the mutual coupling between antenna elements, a novel dualband decoupling method is proposed by employing a multi-slot structure. The proposed MIMO array achieves 15.5-dB and 19.0-dB isolations across the two operating bands. Furthermore, three decoupling modes generated by different bent slots can be independently tuned. Zero ground clearance is also realized by the coplanar arrangement of the antenna elements and decoupling structures. The proposed MIMO array was simulated, fabricated, and measured. Experimental results agree well with the simulations, showing that the dual-band MIMO array has good impedance matching, high isolation, and high efficiency. In addition, the envelope correlation coefficient and channel capacity are calculated and analyzed to validate the MIMO performance of the 5G terminal array. Such a dual-band high-isolation eight-element MIMO array with zero ground clearance is a promising candidate for 5G or future mobile applications. INDEX TERMS Dual-band decoupling, fifth generation (5G) communication, MIMO antenna, smartphone antenna.

A dual-band ten-element MIMO array based on dual-mode inverted-F antennas (IFAs) for 5G terminal applications is presented in this paper. The proposed dual-mode IFA is composed of two radiators, which are etched on the outer and inner surfaces of the side-edge frame. The outer part of the antenna generates the low-order mode at 3.5 GHz, while the inner part radiates another one-quarterwavelength mode at 4.9 GHz. In this way, the IFA can achieve dual-band operation within a compact size of 10.6 × 5.3 × 0.8 mm 3 . Based on the proposed antenna, a dual-band ten-element multiple-input and multipleoutput (MIMO) array is developed for 5G terminal applications. By combining neutralization line structures with decoupling branches, the isolations between the elements are improved. To validate the design concept, a prototype of the ten-element MIMO array is designed, fabricated, and measured. The experimental results show that the proposed antenna can cover the 3.3-3.6 GHz and 4.8-5.0 GHz bands with good isolation and high efficiency. Furthermore, the envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), and channel capacity are also calculated to verify the MIMO performances for 5G sub-6GHz applications.INDEX TERMS Dual-band antenna, dual-mode IFA, fifth generation (5G) communication, MIMO antenna.

A novel method of designing a wideband highisolated dual-antenna pair using dual characteristic modes (CMs) is presented for fifth-generation (5G) multiple-input multipleoutput (MIMO) smartphone applications. A set of orthogonal CMs resonating from the square-loop slot is first introduced and works for the lower band. Then, another set of orthogonal CMs resonating from the edge branches is introduced with a shared compact radiator and works for the higher band. In combination with two sets of degenerated CMs and a capacitive coupling feeding structure, the proposed dual-antenna pair achieves a broad impedance bandwidth and high isolation without the need for any external decoupling structures. Based on this dual-antenna pair, an 8×8 MIMO array is developed and integrated into the back cover of a smartphone, which realizes zero ground clearance on the system circuit board. To verify the design concept, prototypes of the antenna pair and MIMO array were fabricated and measured. It shows that experimental results agree well with the simulation results. More importantly, the presented 8×8 MIMO array has high isolation of more than 20 dB is achieved across the operating band of 3.3-3.8 GHz.

In this article, a compact dual‐band antenna based on composite right/left‐handed transmission line (CRLH‐TL) is proposed for WWAN/LTE wireless terminal applications. By using 2 symmetrical CRLH structures, the proposed antenna can easily produce 2 wide separate operating frequency bands with a compact size of 25 × 25 × 6 mm3. Additionally, a pair of matching strips is introduced on both sides of the feeding line to further improve the impedance characteristics of the terminal antenna. The experimental results demonstrate the proposed antenna is capable of working over the frequency ranges of 0.66‐1.06 GHz and 1.68‐2.88 GHz with |S11| < −6 dB, which can cover the bands of LTE700, GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS, LTE2300, and LTE2500 for wireless terminals. Moreover, the multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operating performance of the proposed antenna element is also studied, and an enhanced isolation between the antenna elements is obtained by utilizing the defected ground structures and grounded branches.

A dual-polarized filtering antenna with steep cut-off and compact size is developed for base station applications. In this design, four controllable radiation nulls are obtained by utilizing split rings, slotted Tshaped branches, a single-stub tuner, and a parasitic loop. Split rings are firstly used as the dipole arms to obtain the 1 st radiation null at upper outof-band. Four T-shaped branches working as DGS are printed under the crossed dipoles to achieve the 2 nd radiation null. The connected outer conductors of the differential feed structure acting as a single-stub tuner can provide the 3 rd radiation null to further enhance the upper-band rejection. Finally, a parasitic loop is incorporated around the split rings, and the outof-band rejection of the lower-band is further enhanced by the 4 th radiation null. More importantly, the impedance bandwidth of the antenna can be expended with two newly introduced resonant modes. As a result, a compact filtering antenna with a wide operational bandwidth of 1.7-3.01 GHz (56%) is realized for |Sdd11| < -15 dB with the isolation higher than 38 dB. The outof-band suppression is higher than 18.4 dB in 3.1-4.5 GHz and more than 47 dB in 0.8-1.1 GHz.