DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF COMPACT PLANAR ANTENNAS UTILIZING PATTERN DIVERSITY FOR MIMO WIRELESS APPLICATIONS

Abstract

In the next generation of wireless communication, there is a need for higher data rates and better quality of service. Recent research has shown that by using multiple antenna elements at the transmitter and receiver ends known as MIMO system (Multiple Input Multiple Output), the offered capacity can be substantially increased without increasing the channel bandwidth or transmitted power. The main challenge is to accommodate multiple antennas in small wireless terminals maintaining low correlation between signals of different antennas. Therefore, novel antenna design solutions need to be developed for use in MIMO technology. This dissertation aims to provide antenna solutions for use in MIMO systems.