Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 May 2017
Wide-band circularly polarized multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna array with a 2 × 4 feed network was proposed for C-band application. Different unique techniques were utilized in the proposed array to enhance the antenna characteristics, such as gain, 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW), impedance tuning, and ruinous mutual coupling effects. A miniaturized dual-feed Tai chi-shaped antenna element with a pair of feeding points and a pair of eyebrow-shaped strips was presented for enhancing circular polarization (CP) purity and impedance matching. For a better improvement of CP features, a 2*4 MIMO sequentially rotated (MIMO-SR) feed network was used to achieve broader 3 dB ARBW. Besides, the MIMO feature of the feed network could control the left- and right-handed CP, respectively. Ultimately, specific forms of slot and slit structures were applied onto the top layer of MIMO feed network that provided a high isolation between the radiating elements and array network. Furthermore, the diversity gain (DG) was studied. The extracted measured results illustrated an impedance bandwidth of 3.5–8.2 GHz at port 1 and 3.5–8.3 GHz at port 2 for VWSR < 2 and 3 dB ARBW of 4.6–7.6 GHz at port 1 and 4.6–7.5 GHz at port 2. The peak gain of 9.9 dBi was at 6 GHz.