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Review
. 2023 Jan 28;13(3):520.
doi: 10.3390/nano13030520.

Design, Challenges and Developments for 5G Massive MIMO Antenna Systems at Sub 6-GHz Band: A Review

Sura Khalil Ibrahim  1 , Mandeep Jit Singh  1   2 , Samir Salem Al-Bawri  2   3 , Husam Hamid Ibrahim  1 , Mohammad Tariqul Islam  1 , Md Shabiul Islam  4 , Ahmed Alzamil  5 , Wazie M Abdulkawi  6
Affiliations
Review

Design, Challenges and Developments for 5G Massive MIMO Antenna Systems at Sub 6-GHz Band: A Review

Sura Khalil Ibrahim et al. Nanomaterials (Basel). .

Abstract

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO) is a wireless access technique that has been studied and investigated in response to the worldwide bandwidth demand in the wireless communication sector (MIMO). Massive MIMO, which brings together antennas at the transmitter and receiver to deliver excellent spectral and energy efficiency with comparatively simple processing, is one of the main enabling technologies for the upcoming generation of networks. To actualize diverse applications of the intelligent sensing system, it is essential for the successful deployment of 5G-and beyond-networks to gain a better understanding of the massive MIMO system and address its underlying problems. The recent huge MIMO systems are highlighted in this paper's thorough analysis of the essential enabling technologies needed for sub-6 GHz 5G networks. This article covers most of the critical issues with mMIMO antenna systems including pilot realized gain, isolation, ECC, efficiency, and bandwidth. In this study, two types of massive 5G MIMO antennas are presented. These types are used depending on the applications at sub-6 GHz bands. The first type of massive MIMO antennas is designed for base station applications, whereas the most recent structures of 5G base station antennas that support massive MIMO are introduced. The second type is constructed for smartphone applications, where several compact antennas designed in literature that can support massive MIMO technology are studied and summarized. As a result, mMIMO antennas are considered as good candidates for 5G systems.

Keywords: 5G antennas; 5G applications; 5G systems; base station; massive MIMO; smartphone; sub-6 GHz.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
5G requirements and benefits of mMIMO.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Techniques of applications for 5G massive MIMO at sub 6 GHz.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The fabricated prototypes: (a) (4 × 4) mMIMO of dual-band, dual-polarized shared aperture rectangular antenna array, top view; with side view, (b) (4 × 4) transformable dual polarized ME-dipole antenna for 5G array/mMIMO of dual-polarized differential feeding lines [30].
Figure 4
Figure 4
The prototype of an (11 × 11) mMIMO array of multimode elements has 484 antenna ports [35].
Figure 5
Figure 5
Manufactured prototype of the hexagonal (5 × 4) mMIMO of the patch antenna array [40].
Figure 6
Figure 6
(a) Top view, (b) bottom view of fabricated single-side prototype [42].
Figure 7
Figure 7
Fully-assembled 24-antennas of the MIMO array during testing with VNA for S-parameters [43].
Figure 8
Figure 8
Triangular 72 port mMIMO system prototype [44].
Figure 9
Figure 9
Full-dimensional massive MIMO of a planar (8 × 8) dual polarization antenna array feeding a meta surface lens antenna [46].
Figure 10
Figure 10
18-element antenna system of the slot antenna with decoupling open-ended slots [58].
Figure 11
Figure 11
Fabricated prototype of 12-port, (a) Front view. (b) Back view [59].
Figure 12
Figure 12
Prototype of the (10 × 10) MIMO antennas with the IFS fed by end launch 50 Ω connectors at the top layer and slots at the bottom layer [60].
Figure 13
Figure 13
Fabricated prototype of the (10 × 10) MIMO of T-shaped, coupled fed-slot antenna elements. (a) Front view, (b) back view [61].
Figure 14
Figure 14
Reconfigurable (8 × 8) MIMO frame–antenna structure [63].
Figure 15
Figure 15
Fabricated (10 × 10) MIMO array with the microstrip line-fed open-slot antenna [70].
Figure 16
Figure 16
The eight- and sixteen-antenna MIMO arrays formed using the quad-antenna linear (QAL) array as a building block with front and back views [72].
Figure 17
Figure 17
Dimensions and specifications in millimeter of the proposed triple-band, eight-element antenna array (top) Prospective view; (bottom) Side view [73].
Figure 18
Figure 18
5G antenna design techniques for 5G massive MIMO at sub-6 GHz.
Figure 19
Figure 19
Fabrication of dual-polarized slot antennas with octagonal patches and folded feedlines [82].
Figure 20
Figure 20
Dual-polarized cross-dipole antenna with fan-shaped slots and Γ-shaped feeders on the front and rectangular patches on the back [89].
Figure 21
Figure 21
Dual-band, dual-polarization antenna with a pair of bowtie and bent strip-line cross dipoles: (a) front, (b) back [87].
Figure 22
Figure 22
3D of a dual-polarized dipole with halved volume (4 × 4) sub-MIMO array antenna [101].
Figure 23
Figure 23
Front and back plane of the fabricated L-shaped and ground plane with four etched slots for the (4 × 4) MIMO antenna [106].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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