A reconfigurable wideband MIMO antenna combines RF energy harvesting

Summary

This article introduces a novel and groundbreaking approach combining multiple‐input‐multiple‐output (MIMO) technology with radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting. The proposed antenna consists of two semi‐circular monopole antenna components, optimized with dimensions of 89 × 51.02 × 1.6 mm³, that share a common ground plane to achieve MIMO characteristics. A series of split‐ring resonators on the ground plane significantly enhances the isolation between the two radiating components. Band‐notched features are performed in the 3.5 GHz WiMAX and 5.5 GHz WLAN bands through modified C‐shaped slots in the radiating patch and two rectangular split‐ring resonators serving as parasitic devices near the feed line. The reconfiguration of band‐notching is made possible by controlling the modes of the embedded PIN diodes. The two antenna elements maintain mutual coupling below −18 dB from 1.5–13 GHz, achieving an impressive 158.62% impedance bandwidth. The antenna's efficiency and gain experience significant drop, indicating effective interference suppression at the center frequencies of the notch bands, and its performance in MIMO systems is assessed through parameters including envelope correlation coefficient, port isolation, radiation patterns, efficiency, gain, and diversity gain. The simulated properties of the designed antenna closely align with the measured outcomes, demonstrating its reliability and consistency. Moreover, the article evaluates the antenna's potential for RF energy harvesting, achieving a maximum harvested energy of 4.88 V. This proposed antenna can be used in multiple applications, like wideband, band‐notching MIMO, and RF energy harvesting. This proposed antenna is an efficient, reconfigurable wideband MIMO antenna with novel RF energy harvesting capability.