Edinburgh Napier University

  This paper presents a low–profile dual-band (2×2) MIMO antenna that works at 2.4GHz, 5.2GHz and 5.8GHz for wireless local area networks (WLAN) applications. A neutralization line technique for enhancing the isolation is used by introducing strip line with a length of λg/4 at the isolation frequency (2.4GHz) between the radiating elements. The overall dimensions of the proposed antenna are 36×33.5×1.6 mm3. The antenna is fabricated and tested to validate the simulation results. The practical results show fair agreements with the simulated outcomes. The antenna achieves impedance bandwidths from 2.15 to 2.52 GHz and from 4.5 to 6.45 GHz for reflection coefficient |S11| < -10dB. On the other hand, the results of S21 for the whole band (1-6GHz) is better than -15 dB and it has reached to -25dB around 2.4GHz and -35 around 5.5GHz. The MIMO antenna performance characteristics are reported in terms of scattering parameters, envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), total active reflection coefficient (TARC), channel capacity loss (CCL), diversity gain (DG) and antenna radiation patterns. Analysis of these characteristics indicates that the design is appropriate for the WLAN.