Coupled-Resonator Theory of Isolation in Multi-Mode Antennas

The literature currently maintains the assumption that mutual coupling is the mechanism that leads to the degradation of isolation between the active ports of antenna arrays. However, this paper shows that a coupled-resonator model with series-coupled mutual coupling breaks down when applied to multi-mode/multi-port antenna arrays and limits the achievable isolation. An improved model based on parallel-coupled modes is presented. This model suggests that poor isolation is more accurately caused by unbalanced antenna modes. Using this model, several novel examples of simple and compact dual- and triple-mode antennas show how to maximize isolation in multi-mode antennas by balancing the modes’ resonant frequencies and radiation bandwidths. For comparison, the mutually coupled assumption limits isolation to around 20 dB in the proposed novel structures, whereas 40–70 dB is possible when parallel-coupled modes are considered. Based on the developed concept, a compact triple-mode two-pole-filtering antenna is fabricated at 3500 MHz with 160 MHz of bandwidth and more than 40 dB of isolation between the antenna ports.