Multitask Antenna Array for 5G NR handsets

This paper presents the concept of a multitask antenna array for 5G New Radio (NR) handsets, which might be used in multiple input multiple output (MIMO), beamforming or switched-beam applications. The proposed array is based on printed dipoles and is excited by using a substrate-integrated coaxial line (SICL) for reducing the mutual coupling among its elements. The initial design is composed of nine radiating elements, occupying a small footprint (25.5x29,5mm) in order to fit on 5G mobile user equipment. Numerical results demonstrate up to 4.5 GHz bandwidth (from 23.2 to 27.7 GHz), mutual coupling between adjacent elements lower than -20 dB for the entire bandwidth and envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) lower than 0.1 from 24.55 to 27.7 GHz. Moreover, it provides
$24^{\circ}$
beamwidth in both planes, 17.5-dBi gain and by properly managing the element phase, it is possible to steer the beam from
$0^{\circ}$
to
$40^{\circ}$
in elevation plane and from -20° to
$20^{\circ}$
in azimuth plane.