Design and Implementation of a Planar MIMO Antenna for Spectrum-Sensing Applications

Spectrum sensing is an important aspect in cognitive radio (CR) networks as it involves the identification of unused frequency spectra, which saves both bandwidth and energy. The design of a compact super-wideband (SWB) multi-input multi-output (MIMO)/diversity antenna with triple-band-notched features is presented for spectrum sensing in CR systems. The MIMO antenna comprises four identical semi-elliptical-shaped monopole resonators, which are orthogonally positioned and excited individually via tapered coplanar waveguide feed lines. Also, a mirror-slot analogous to the radiator is etched in the ground conductor of each antenna element to achieve SWB characteristics. In order to avoid interference with the SWB, the antenna radiator is loaded with a staircase-shaped slit and a pair of concentric slits, arranged like a complementary split-ring resonator. The antenna resonates from 1.2 to 43 GHz, exhibiting a bandwidth ratio of 36:1. In the MIMO antenna, the antenna elements are located orthogonally, and the isolation > 18 dB and envelope correlation coefficient < 0.01 are realized in the resonating band. The antenna offers a peak gain of 4 dBi, and a sharp reduction in gain at notch frequencies (3.5 GHz, 5.5 GHz, and 8.5 GHz) is achieved. The size of the MIMO antenna is 52 mm × 52 mm. The proposed compact-size antenna features a high bandwidth ratio and straightforward design procedure, and can be simply integrated into contemporary RF equipment. The presented SWB MIMO antenna outperforms SWB antenna designs reported in the open literature, which featured one or two notched bands, whereas it has three notched bands. Also, the three notches in the SWB are achieved without the use of any filters, which simplifies the antenna development process.