A
MINI PROJECT REPORT
on
High Frequency Product: Half Ground Dual Band Mino Antenna
SUBMITTED TO AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTE, AFFILIATED TO
SAVITRIBAI PHULE PUNE UNIVERSITY, PUNE
Course: Electronic Product Design Laboratory (UECP 310)
Third Year B. Tech
Submitted By:
Ritesh Pande Roll No.:- B-58
Sagar Kavatkar Roll No:- B-61
Under the Guidance of
Dr. Sajjan Kumar Jha
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & TELECOMMUNICATION
ENGINEERING
G H RAISONI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
WAGHOLI, PUNE 412207
AY: 2024-2025
(Summer-2025)
Abstract
In the era of rapid technological advancements, the demand for compact, high-performance
wireless communication systems has led to the widespread adoption of Multiple-Input
Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna technologies. This project presents the design, simulation,
and analysis of a Half Ground Dual Band MIMO Antenna suitable for modern wireless
applications, particularly in the 2.4 GHz ISM band and 5 GHz WLAN/LTE bands. The
antenna structure is based on a compact microstrip patch design utilizing a half ground plane,
which not only reduces the overall size of the antenna but also enhances its performance in
terms of bandwidth and impedance matching. The dual-band operation is achieved by
incorporating carefully designed slots and stubs in the radiating patch, which enable the
excitation of two distinct resonant modes. This design facilitates dual-frequency operation
without increasing the antenna's physical footprint, which is critical for portable and space-
constrained devices. To implement diversity and improve system performance, the design is
extended to a 2×2 MIMO configuration. The isolation between antenna elements is
significantly enhanced by employing a shared half ground plane with structural modifications
such as etched slots or decoupling stubs. These techniques help suppress mutual coupling and
ensure high isolation (better than –15 dB), which is crucial for reliable MIMO performance.
The antenna is simulated using electromagnetic simulation software such as CST Microwave
Studio, and key parameters including return loss (S11), isolation (S21), gain, and radiation
patterns are numerically computed. The simulation results demonstrate dual resonances
centred around 2.45 GHz and 5.5 GHz with return losses less than –10 dB and omnidirectional
radiation patterns. The gain of the antenna is found to be suitable for short-to-medium range
wireless communication. This high frequency product design is performed on doubles sided
printed circuit board which was fabricated using heat transfer techniques in electronic product
laboratory (307-B) at department of electronics and telecommunication, GHRCEM, Pune.
Introduction:
1.1 Background
The increasing demand for high data rates, reliable communication, and compact wireless
devices has driven significant advancements in antenna design. Antennas are a critical
component in wireless systems, as they directly influence the performance, range, and quality
of communication. With the growth of technologies like Wi-Fi, LTE, 5G, and the Internet of
Things (IoT), the need for compact, multi-band, and high-performance antennas has
become more critical than ever.
Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology has emerged as a key solution to meet
these demands. MIMO uses multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver ends to
improve communication performance through spatial diversity and multiplexing. However,
integrating multiple antennas into a single compact device introduces challenges, such as
mutual coupling, limited space, and interference. Therefore, innovative antenna design
techniques are required to ensure good isolation, wide bandwidth, and compact form factors.
One such approach is the use of half ground plane techniques, which allow miniaturization
of the antenna structure without severely affecting its performance. When combined with
careful design methods such as slotting and stub loading, a dual-band operation can be
achieved, enabling the antenna to support multiple wireless standards.
1.2 Problem State
Traditional MIMO antennas either occupy large space or suffer from poor isolation and
performance at multiple frequency bands. There is a need for a compact, dual-band MIMO
antenna that can maintain high isolation, good gain, and efficient radiation characteristics while
minimizing size and complexity.
1.3 Objective
The main objective of this project is to:
• Design a compact dual-band MIMO antenna that utilizes a half ground plane structure.
• Achieve operation in two frequency bands: 2.4–2.5 GHz (ISM band) and 5.1–5.8 GHz
(WLAN/LTE band).
• Ensure low mutual coupling (isolation better than –15 dB) between antenna elements.
• Maintain good impedance matching (S11 < –10 dB), omnidirectional radiation, and
acceptable gain.
• Simulate and analyze the antenna performance using a professional EM tool such as
HFSS or CST.
1.4 Scope of the Project
This project focuses on:
• Designing and simulating a dual-band antenna using a microstrip-based layout on a
low-cost FR4 substrate.
• Applying half ground plane techniques to reduce the antenna footprint.
• Extending the single-element antenna to a 2×2 MIMO configuration.
• Evaluating performance metrics such as S-parameters, radiation pattern, gain, and
envelope correlation coefficient (ECC).
Methodology
The methodology for designing the Half Ground Dual Band MIMO Antenna involves
multiple stages, including requirement analysis, design formulation, simulation, performance
evaluation, and potential prototyping. Each stage is systematically approached to ensure that
the antenna meets performance targets such as dual-band operation, compact size, and high
isolation.
2.1 Requirements and Specifications
The first step involves identifying the key performance specifications:
• Operating Bands: 2.4–2.5 GHz (ISM) and 5.1–5.8 GHz (WLAN/LTE)
• Antenna Type: Microstrip patch with half ground
• Configuration: 2×2 MIMO
• Substrate: FR4 Epoxy (εr = 4.4, thickness = 1.6 mm)
• Return Loss: ≤ –10 dB at both bands
• Isolation: ≤ –15 dB
• Gain: ≥ 2.5 dB
2.2 Software and Tools Used
• Simulation Software:
o CST Microwave Studio – for electromagnetic simulation and S-parameter
analysis
• Design Software:
o Eagle Cad– for drafting antenna geometry
2.3 Design Steps
Step 1: Single Antenna Element Design
• Begin by designing a single microstrip patch antenna to resonate at the desired dual
frequencies.
• Introduce slots or parasitic elements in the patch to create a second resonant
frequency.
• Use a microstrip line feed to excite the antenna.
• Implement a half ground plane to miniaturize the design and enhance the bandwidth.
Step 2: MIMO Configuration
• Place two identical antenna elements on a common substrate.
• Maintain appropriate edge-to-edge spacing to ensure compactness.
• Introduce design features (e.g., slots in the ground, neutralization lines, or stubs) to
minimize mutual coupling between elements.
Step 3: Ground Plane Modification
• Modify the ground plane to half-length or introduce defected ground structures
(DGS) to improve impedance matching and isolation.
• Adjust ground and patch dimensions iteratively based on simulation feedback.
2.4 Simulation and Optimization
• Simulate the initial design to obtain key parameters:
o S11 (Return Loss)
o S21 (Isolation)
o VSWR
o Radiation Pattern
o Gain
o ECC (Envelope Correlation Coefficient)
• Optimize antenna parameters (patch size, slot dimensions, feed line length, ground
modifications) until desired results are achieved.
• Analyze results to ensure dual-band operation and high isolation between MIMO
elements.
2.5 Fabrication
• Once simulations are satisfactory, the antenna is fabricated on FR4 substrate using
PCB manufacturing techniques.
• SMA connectors are soldered for testing.
2.6 Testing and Measurement
• Test the fabricated antenna using a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) to measure
return loss and isolation.
• Compare measured results with simulation data to verify design accuracy.
2.7 Result Documentation
• Document all findings, including:
o Simulation snapshots (S-parameters, radiation patterns)
o Physical photos (if fabricated)
o Tabulated performance comparison
Antenna Design
1 Structure
• Two identical radiating elements on FR4 substrate
• Shared or separated partial ground plane
• Feed: Microstrip line
2 Design Parameters
Parameter Value
Substrate Size 150mm x 70mm
Ground Length 70 mm
Ground Width 150mm
Resonant Bands 2.4–2.5 GHz and 5.1–5.8 GHz
Results and Analysis
1 Return Loss
Graphs show dual-band behaviour with clear resonant dips.
2 Radiation Pattern
Omnidirectional pattern in the H-plane suitable for MIMO environments.
4 Isolation
Good isolation between ports ensured using ground slot/stub techniques.
Experiment
Conclusion:
The design and simulation of a Half Ground Dual Band MIMO Antenna were successfully
carried out to meet the growing demands of compact and efficient wireless communication
systems. The proposed antenna structure demonstrated dual-band operation in the 2.4 GHz
ISM band and the 5.5 GHz WLAN/LTE band, which are widely used for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,
and other wireless applications. By incorporating a half ground plane and carefully engineered
slotting techniques, the antenna achieved a reduced footprint while maintaining desirable
electrical characteristics such as good impedance matching, broad bandwidth, and
acceptable gain. The transition from a single element to a 2×2 MIMO configuration was
carefully executed by optimizing the spacing and ground structure to achieve high isolation
(>15 dB) and minimize mutual coupling, which are essential for effective MIMO performance.
Simulation results obtained from CST/HFSS showed that the antenna achieved return loss
(S11) better than –10 dB at both resonant frequencies and exhibited omnidirectional
radiation patterns suitable for portable and embedded wireless devices. Additionally,
performance metrics like gain, VSWR, and radiation efficiency were within acceptable limits,
indicating the practical viability of the design. In conclusion, the proposed Half Ground Dual
Band MIMO Antenna offers an efficient, space-saving solution for next-generation wireless
devices, with the potential for further enhancement and integration into real-time applications.
Future work may include physical fabrication, measurement using a VNA, and performance
testing in real-world environments to further validate the design.
References
1. L. Prasad, B. Ramesh, K.S.R. Kumar3, K.P. Vinay Raghu Engineering College,
Visakhapatnam, India
2. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
3. CST Microwave Studio / HFSS Documentation
4. Research papers on MIMO and Dual-band antennas (list actual papers used)
