Dual-band circularly polarized MIMO DRA for sub-6 GHz applications

In this article, a dual-band circularly polarized multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) is proposed for 3.5 and 5.5 GHz bands, both being located under 6 GHz. Known as sub-6 (or as mid-band), they provide good coverage and capacity in the newly targeted fifth-generation (5G) systems. The proposed structure consists of two ring DRAs (RDRAs) etched on a 0.8 mm thick RT Duroid substrate. Measured impedance bandwidths in broadside direction are 3.1-3.75 GHz (19%) and 5.3-5.6 GHz (9.4%) and circular polarization (CP) bandwidths are 3.425-3.6 GHz (5%) and 5.45-5.55 GHz (2%), respectively. CP is achieved by exciting HE modes using two probes placed orthogonaly to each other, that is, at an azimuthal angular distance of 90∘. Varying the lengths of the probe allows achieving the necessary time-phase quadrature between modes. Comparison between recent multiband circularly polarized MIMO DRAs and proposed prototype has revealed that CP bandwidth in both bands is one of the highlighting advantages of the present configuration.