2700 IEEE ANTENNAS AND WIRELESS PROPAGATION LETTERS, VOL. 22, NO.
11, NOVEMBER 2023
Isolation and Bandwidth Enhancement in Compact
CP MIMO DRA in H-Plane Using Z-Shaped Strip
Manzoor Elahi , Jingon Joung , Senior Member, IEEE, and Sungjoon Lim , Member, IEEE
Abstract—In this letter, we investigate the use of decoupling
structure to improve isolation and bandwidth in a multiple-input–
multiple-output (MIMO) dielectric resonator antenna (DRA). The
MIMO antenna consists of two identical DRAs that are fed by the
same rectangular slots to excite the fundamental mode (TE111 ). In
total, two annular vias are inserted in each DRA to realize circular
polarization at this mode. Moreover, the annular vias create quasi-
hybrid mode (HEM11δ ) in the DRA. Vertical and Z-shaped strips
are printed on the adjacent walls of DRAs for isolation purposes,
in which the Z-shaped strips are coupled with the annular vias
to realize the circular polarization at the HEM11δ mode. Thus,
improved bandwidth and isolation are achieved without occupying
additional space. A prototype was fabricated and measured, which
showed an overlapping 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW) of
13.8% (2.7–3.1 GHz) with an isolation of 20 dB across the band-
width, keeping the interelement spacing of 0.03λ0 . The measured
radiation patterns were in agreement with simulated results in
φ = 0◦ (xz-plane) and φ = 90◦ (yz-plane) planes, achieving a
peak right-handed circularly polarized gain of 4.3 dBi for a single
port.
Index Terms—Axial ratio, circular polarization, multiple-input–
multiple-output (MIMO), rectangular dielectric resonator antenna
(DRA).
I. INTRODUCTION
WING to rapid developments in communication tech-
O nologies, it has become crucial to have high transmission
rates in a limited frequency spectrum. Hence, multiple-input–
multiple-output (MIMO) technology is used to improve spec-
trum efficiency and data rates in communication systems [1].
However, mutual coupling between MIMO antennas poses a
key research problem as there is a limited space available for the
antennas in practical systems.
Over the past few years, decoupling in MIMO antennas has
been the subject of numerous studies. MIMO antennas, which
use a patch as radiating elements, due to the ease of manufactur-
ing, suffer from ohmic losses. However, MIMO implemented
with dielectric resonators (DRs) as radiating elements have
several advantages, i.e., low loss, radiation efficient, and wider
bandwidth over patch antennas [2]. Recently, much attention
Manuscript received 21 April 2023; accepted 8 May 2023. Date of publi-
cation 15 May 2023; date of current version 1 November 2023. This research
was supported in part by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF),
Korea government (MSIT), under Grant 2021R1A4A2001316; and in part by
the Development of 5G industrial terminal technology supporting 28 GHz
band/Private 5G band/NR-U Band under Grant 2022-0-00635. (Corresponding
authors: Jingon Joung; Sungjoon Lim.)
The authors are with the School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering,
Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, South Korea (e-mail: manzoorelahi19
@gmail.com; jgjoung@cau.ac.kr; sungjoon@cau.ac.kr).
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/LAWP.2023.3275941
1536-1225 © 2023 IEEE. Personal use is permitted, but republication/redistribution requires IEEE permission.
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has been paid to improve isolation in MIMO dielectric resonator
antenna (DRA). Numerous techniques, such as defected ground
structure (DGS) [3] using vertical metal vias inside DRAs [4],
orthogonal feed [5], metal strips on the lateral sides of DRAs
[6], top surfaces of DRAs [7], and closed metallic loops on
the DRAs [8], fairly reduce the mutual coupling. It is worth
noting that all the abovementioned MIMO antennas are linearly
polarized (LP) antennas. Owing to superiority in mitigating
polarization mismatch and suppressing multipath interference,
circularly polarized (CP) antennas are widely used in wireless
communication systems. Given the advantages of both CP and
MIMO antennas, CP MIMO antennas have been proposed re-
cently to achieve high transmission rates and reliable commu-
nication. To minimize coupling, different structures, such as the
electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structure in CP MIMO DRAs
[9], mu-negative metamaterials [10], and frequency selective
surface (FSSs) [11], have been proposed. In [12] and [13],
isolation has been achieved with different polarization of the two
DRAs. Some trivial techniques, such as interelement distance
optimization [14], diagonal arrangement of the MIMO elements
[15], and orthogonal positioning of the DRA elements [16],
have also been used to isolate the CP DRA elements. To block
the ground current, a DGS was used in [17]. The decoupling
structures in these designs occupy extra space, increasing system
volume and complexity. However, a simple technique involv-
ing four metal strips at each corner of the DRA, presented
in [18], requires no additional space. This study presents a
simple and compact decoupler design. Center-fed DRAs have
an identical configuration of annular vias responsible for the
CP generation at fundamental mode (TE111 ) of DRA, whereas
Z-shaped strips of the decoupler are used to achieve isolation.
Another hybrid mode (HEM11δ ) generated due to annular vias
in DRA is isolated by vertical strips, whereas the CP due to
the coupling of annular vias and Z-shaped strips at this mode.
Thus, isolation and bandwidth improvement are achieved by
decoupling strips. The structure’s performance is analyzed to
evaluate its effects on impedance bandwidth (IBW) and axial
ratio bandwidth (ARBW). A prototype was fabricated, achieving
an overlapping ARBW of 2.7–3.1 GHz with the right-handed
circularly polarized (RHCP) gain of 3.4–4.3 dBic across the
band.
II. CP MIMO DRA GEOMETRY AND DESIGN
The geometry of the proposed CP MIMO DRA is shown in
Fig. 1. In total, two identical DRs made of alumina (r = 9.9,
ELAHI et al.: ISOLATION AND BANDWIDTH ENHANCEMENT IN COMPACT CP MIMO DRA IN H-PLANE USING Z-SHAPED STRIP 2701

Fig. 1. Geometry of the proposed design. (a) Top view. (b) Side view. [a =
33.5, b = 33, c = 14.8, d = 3, e = 2, g = 1, h = 5.8, k = 10, dia = 5.4, u =
7.8, v = 7.7, ls = 17.5, ws = 2.8, lstub = 5, wf = 3.3, s = 3.5, t = 1.52, and L
= W = 160] (unit: mm).

Fig. 3. Performance comparisons of various cases of MIMO CP DRAs in

terms of: (a) reflection coefficients, (b) transmission coefficients, and (c) axial
ratios.

Fig. 2. Field distribution in the DRA. (a) TEM111 E- and H-fields at 3.03 GHz.
(b) HEM11δ E- and H-fields at 2.78 GHz.
tanδ = 0.0001) are mounted on the ground plane, which are fed
by microstrip lines printed on the bottom layer of the Taconic
RF−35 (r = 3.5, tanδ = 0.0025) through rectangular slots
etched from the ground plane on the top layer. The basic design
of the CP DRA is presented in our previous work [19]. A pair
of vertical and Z-shaped strips is printed on the adjacent walls
of the two DRs such that they are shorted to the ground. The
DRA dimensions are selected to resonate at the fundamental
TE111 mode whose resonance frequency is derived from the
transcendental equations as follows [20]:
π π
, ky = , kx 2 + k y 2 + k z 2 =  r k0 2
kx =
a b
 c 
kz tan kz = (r − 1)k0 2 − kz 2
2 This section highlights the significance of the proposed de-
where kx , ky , and kz are the wavenumbers along the x-, y-, and
z-axes. For a given parameter of the DRAs r , a, b, and c, the
resonance frequency is the one at which the wavenumber kz , de-
termined using the (1) also satisfies (2). Based on the dimensions
(a = 33.5 mm, b = 33 mm, and c = 14.8 mm), the fundamental
mode frequency is at 2.4 GHz. However, by inserting the vias,
TE111 mode is generated in the DRA at 3.03 GHz by setting
b = 20.5 mm due to limited effective radiating volume by vias.
Another quasi-HEM11δ mode at 2.78 GHz is generated due to
annular vias. Fig. 2 shows the field configuration of the two
modes in which the HEM11δ is supported by two horizontal
contra-rotating H-field loops. The resonance frequency of the
HEM11δ mode in traditional cylindrical DRA is given by [21]
   none of the designs provides adequate matching at the hybrid
6.321c d mode at 2.78 GHz. Adjusting the length k of the Z-shaped strips
fHE11δ = √ 0.237 + 0.36
2πd eff + 2 2Heff
 2 
d
+0.02 (3)
2Heff
where c is the velocity of light and eff represents the effective
dielectric constant of DRA, calculated as [22]
Heff
eff = HDR Hsub
, Heff = H + Hs . (4)
r,DR + r,sub
H and Hs are the heights of the DRA and substrate. The
abovementioned equation can be approximated for the HEM
mode in the proposed design. The region of maximum intensity
is bounded by the vias and the diagonal off the vias, which
make an effective oval-shaped radiating volume with diameters
of 22 and 43 mm, as shown in Fig. 2(b). Therefore, an average
diameter of 32.5 mm is used for calculation, which results in a
numerical value of 2.76 GHz of the quasi-HEM11δ mode.
(1)
III. ANALYSIS, PRINCIPLE, AND CP BANDWIDTH
IMPROVEMENT OF DECOUPLING STRUCTURE
(2)
coupling strips to attain isolation and circular polarization.
A stepwise evolution of the decoupler and results are given
in Fig. 3. The MIMO DRA properly resonates at 3.03 GHz
with high coupling in Case-I; however, there is poor matching
at 2.78 GHz. In Case-II and Case-III, the vertical strips and
L-shaped strips are printed on adjacent walls of the DRs at
the corners where the vias are situated. Both designs shift the
resonance to a lower frequency, with better isolation in Case-III
since the L-shaped strips block more field between the DRAs
compared with the vertical strips. Case-III also yields better AR
around 3.05 GHz than the previous two cases. To further improve
isolation, Case-IV involves covering more edge of the DRA by
transforming the L-shaped strip to a Z-shaped strip. However,
increases isolation at TE-mode but the matching at HEM-mode

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2702 IEEE ANTENNAS AND WIRELESS PROPAGATION LETTERS, VOL. 22, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2023

Fig. 5. Performance comparison of LP MIMO DRAs with and without Z-

shaped decoupling structures: (a) S-parameters and (b) axial ratios.

Fig. 4. Decoupling mechanism of different modes in MIMO DRA. (a) Field

isolation of the TE111 mode. (b) Field isolation of HEM11δ mode, and current
intensities on feedlines, vias, and strips. (c) Case-IV. (d) Case-V.

is also improved along with the CP generation by coupling its

field with the annular vias. However, isolation is poor. Therefore,
adding another vertical strip to the middle of the adjacent wall
of the DRA (Case-V) improved isolation around 2.78 GHz.
The principle of the decoupling is based on the Lenz law,
Fig. 6. E-field distribution on the CP MIMO DRA at t =0 and t = T/4. (a)
∇ × E = − δB δt . According to this law, an induced electromotive 2.78 GHz. (b) 3.03 GHz.
force is generated on the decoupling strips, resulting in the
production of its own magnetic field that opposes its source.
Thus, the position and alignment of the strips are chosen such
that it counter the magnetic field generated by specific mode
at the region of maximum intensity, as depicted in Fig. 4(a)
and (b) for the right DRA. Thus, H-fields of the TE111 mode
are oriented along the X-axis, so the length b of Z-shaped strip
generates the counter field to minimize their impact. Similarly,
the magnetic field of the HEM11δ mode forms horizontal loops,
which are counteracted by the magnetic fields of the vertical
strips. Fig. 4(c) and (d) shows the current intensities for Case-IV
and Case-V at two resonating frequencies, confirming the effec-
tiveness of the decoupling components in enhancing isolation. Fig. 7. Prototype of the proposed CP MIMO DRA.
During simulation, the right DR is excited and the left DR is
terminated with 50 Ω. Case-IV has higher current intensity on right DRA is terminated with 50Ω. The net E-field orientation
the feedline of the left DR at the lower frequency than at higher confirms the RHCP behavior of the CP MIMO DRA at both
frequency, indicating the Z-shaped strip’s isolation capability frequencies. The weak field in the right DRA justifies the low
at higher resonance, whereas Case-V predicted low intensity at mutual coupling and nothing to do with the illustration of circular
lower frequency. Finally, the proposed design employs strips polarization.
from Case-IV and Case-V simultaneously, leading to improved
IBW and ARBW of 2.7–3.1 GHz with maximum isolation IV. MEASURED RESULTS
of 26 dB within the band. In the abovementioned analysis,
dielectric loaded strips lower the resonance frequencies in each Fig. 7 shows the prototype of the proposed design. The metal-
case with an exceptional behavior of the Z-shaped strips, which lic strips are printed on the adjacent walls of the DRA and inside
produce circular polarization at 2.78 GHz by coupling with the the holes using copper tape to realize decoupler and annular vias.
vias, resulting in an increased overlapping ARBW. To avoid the need of soldering, a part of the decoupler is extended
To demonstrate the circular polarization capability of the below the DRA to make contact with the ground. Polycarbonate
Z-shaped strip, it is applied to an LP MIMO DRA. Fig. 5 com- screws of length Lscrew > c + t and diameter dscrew < dia were
pares the results of the MIMO DRA with and without Z-shaped passed through the annular vias to ensure firm connection of the
strips. The MIMO with strips is optimized, which has generated strips with ground and remove air gaps between the DRAs and
circular polarization at 2.9 GHz with an isolation of 15 dB, ground.
whereas MIMO without strips has no circular polarization. It Fig. 8 provides a comparison between the measured and
is worth noting that the Z-shaped strips offer an left-handed simulated S-parameters, axial ratio (AR), and RHCP gains for
circular polarization (LHCP), but their coupling with annular two ports. The design achieved a measured –10 dB IBW of
vias results in an RHCP, which improve the ARBW. Fig. 6 16.9% (2.7–3.2 GHz), with an overall isolation > 20 dB and
depicts the E-field distributions at two resonant frequencies over a maximum of 38 dB at 2.84 GHz. A measured 3 dB ARBW
a quarter of the time period. The left DRA is excited while the of 13.8% (2.7–3.1 GHz) with boresight RHCP gains of 3.5–4.3
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ELAHI et al.: ISOLATION AND BANDWIDTH ENHANCEMENT IN COMPACT CP MIMO DRA IN H-PLANE USING Z-SHAPED STRIP
TABLE I
COMPARISON OF THE PROPOSED DESIGN WITH THE PREVIOUS STUDIES ON MIMO DRAS
Fig. 8. Simulated and measured results. (a) S-parameters and (b) AR and
RHCP gain for a single port.
Fig. 9. Simulated and measured patterns at 2.75 GHz. (a) Port1 and (b) Port2.
dBic are obtained for each port. The smaller measured gain is due
to the lossy cables, decoupling strips, and annular vias are not
considered in the simulation. The radiation patterns in the φ = 0◦
and φ = 90◦ planes for the two ports at 2.75 and 3.05 GHz are
given in Figs. 9 and 10, respectively. The patterns for the two
ports at a particular frequency are nearly mirrored images of
each other with an average difference of 13 dB in the boresight
direction between the RHCP and LHCP gain. The measured and
simulated results show good agreement, with minor discrepan-
cies attributed to manual printing of copper tape, which may
result in fabrication errors. A comparison of the proposed design
with previous works on MIMO DRAs is given in Table I. The
decouplers in [4], [5], [7], and [8] occupy no additional space
since they are implemented with metallic vias placed inside the
DRA or the metallic strips printed on the surface of the DRA,
which makes the design more compact. The decoupler increased
only isolation in LP MIMO DRA, whereas the decoupler for
the CP MIMO DRAs in [9], [14], [15], and [17] has resulted in
bulky structures or increased footprint due to the large size of the
decoupling structure. An ARBW of 20% in [15] was achieved
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2703
Fig. 10. Simulated and measured patterns at 3.03 GHz. (a) Port1 and (b) Port2.
by parasitic patches near the feeding strips, and 28 dB isolation
by optimizing the diagonal interelement distance of 0.5λ0 (16.6
times larger than the proposed design), where λ0 is the wave-
length at operating frequency. Similarly, the 28% ARBW in [17]
was achieved by degenerate modes using a conformal strip and
isolation with DGS separating elements by 0.31λ0 (10.3 times
as the proposed structure). In [18], vertical metallic strips at the
corner of the DRA were proposed to achieve 40 dB isolation
but obtained a narrow ARBW of 5.7%. It is noteworthy that
separate mechanisms were adopted to achieve isolation and CP
generation in the abovementioned designs. On the contrary, the
proposed decoupler design provides simultaneous improvement
of isolation and CP bandwidth, distinguishing it from previous
studies. In addition, the decoupler does not occupy additional
space, ensuring a compact MIMO DRA system.
V. CONCLUSION
This letter investigated the isolation and bandwidth improve-
ment in the CP MIMO DRA by printing a pair of vertical
and Z-shaped strips on DRA. An overlapping 3 dB ARBW
of 13.8% with an isolation of 20 dB is achieved across the
bandwidth. Based on the analysis, the dual role of the decoupler,
i.e., isolation and CP generation, which is the main contribution
of this work, was explained. Hence, the proposed design shows
a considerable improvement of 10.52 dB for the IBW and 3 dB
ARBW with respect to the reference design. The experimental
results confirmed that an RHCP gain of 4.3 dBic could be
achieved for a single port that is greater than LHCP gain by
13 dB in the boresight direction. Finally, the decoupling strips
are very simple and require no additional space, hence verifying
the compactness of the design.
2704 IEEE ANTENNAS AND WIRELESS PROPAGATION LETTERS, VOL. 22, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2023
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