Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

Advertisement

Scientific Reports
  • View all journals
  • Search
  • My Account Login
  • Content Explore content
  • About the journal
  • Publish with us
  • Sign up for alerts
  • RSS feed
  1. nature
  2. scientific reports
  3. articles
  4. article
An ultra-compact and high isolated 8 × 8 MIMO antenna system for 5G NR-n46 and n79 band applications
Download PDF
Download PDF
  • Article
  • Open access
  • Published: 07 March 2026

An ultra-compact and high isolated 8 × 8 MIMO antenna system for 5G NR-n46 and n79 band applications

  • Brijesh Mishra1,
  • R. Sethumadhavi2,
  • Sweta Singh3,
  • Saiyed Salim Sayeed4,
  • Aditya Kumar Singh5,
  • Amrees Pandey6 &
  • …
  • Tanweer Ali7 

Scientific Reports , Article number:  (2026) Cite this article

  • 929 Accesses

  • Metrics details

We are providing an unedited version of this manuscript to give early access to its findings. Before final publication, the manuscript will undergo further editing. Please note there may be errors present which affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.

Subjects

  • Energy science and technology
  • Engineering

Abstract

This article presents an ultra-compact (1.02λ × 1.02λ mm2) and highly isolated 8-port MIMO antenna designed for NR-n46 and n79 bands, as well as licensed assisted access (LAA). A systematic study was performed to choose an optimal antenna (Design-3) among all designs (Design-1, Design-2, and Design-3) after systematic study (parametric study and circuit theory analysis) of Ref. design-1, Ref. design-2, Ref. design-3 and Ref. design-4. An optimal and proposed antenna geometry consists of two orthogonal radiators on the top and a novel ground plane (rectangular ring, centered annular ring and plus shaped slot) at the bottom of each corner of the dielectric substrate to create a perfectly matched 8-port antenna. The proposed antenna demonstrates a wideband frequency operation of 700 MHz within the 4.75–5.45 GHz range, specifically in the sub-6 GHz 5G band. It resonates at 5.2 GHz, achieving an isolation of 33 dB, a gain of 4.7 dB, and a radiation efficiency of 92.5%. The MIMO characteristics, including ECC, DG, TARC, MEG, and CCL, were evaluated and found to be within acceptable parameters. The antenna was fabricated, tested in a laboratory setting, and its performance was validated against simulated results.

Similar content being viewed by others

Miniaturized dual-band MIMO antenna with high gain and isolation for mm-wave applications

Article Open access 05 February 2026

Gain and isolation enhancement of a wideband MIMO antenna using metasurface for 5G sub-6 GHz communication systems

Article Open access 08 June 2022

8 × 8 element MIMO antenna for unmanned aerial vehicles, V2X and 5G applications

Article Open access 29 December 2025

Data availability

No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

References

  1. Srivastava, G., Mohan, A., Kumar, S., Choi, H. C. & Kim, K. W. Compact 16-Port MIMO Antenna for Sub-6 GHz Communications. IEEE Access. 13, 34051–34059. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3541738 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Zakeri, H. et al. Low-Cost Multiband Four-Port Phased Array Antenna for Sub-6 GHz 5G Applications With Enhanced Gain Methodology in Radio-Over-Fiber Systems Using Modulation Instability. IEEE Access. 12, 117787–117799. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3446313 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ibrahim, S. K. et al. Design, Challenges and Developments for 5G Massive MIMO Antenna Systems at Sub 6-GHz Band: A Review. Nanomaterials 13 (3), 520. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13030520 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Przesmycki, R. & Bugaj, M. Crescent Microstrip Antenna for LTE-U and 5G Systems. Electronics 11 (8), 1201. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11081201 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Cheng, S-H., Chen, S-C., Huang, W-Y. & Low-Profile, M. I. M. O. Trapezoidal Patch Antenna for 5G Wideband Mobile Antenna Application. IEEE Antennas. Wirel. Propag. Lett. 24 (3), 696–700. https://doi.org/10.1109/LAWP.2024.3512854 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Zhang, Y., Zhang, X. & Wang, J. Design of Large-Span Beamforming Antenna Based on Beam Superposition and Structure Mapping. IEEE Antennas. Wirel. Propag. Lett. 24 (5), 1268–1272. https://doi.org/10.1109/LAWP.2025.3532780 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Zhang, Z. & Akan, O. B. Analysis of Terahertz Communication Under Dust Storm Conditions on Mars. IEEE Commun. Lett. 29 (2), 388–392. https://doi.org/10.1109/LCOMM.2024.3520667 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Borges, D., Montezuma, P., Dinis, R. & Beko, M. Massive MIMO Techniques for 5G and Beyond—Opportunities and Challenges. Electronics 10 (14), 1667. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10141667 (2021).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Wong, K-L., Huang, Y-Y. & Li, W-Y. Compact 8-Port 2×2 Array Based on Dual-Polarized Patch Antennas With Modified Cavity Field Distribution for Enhanced Port Isolation for 5G IoT Device MIMO Antennas. IEEE Access. 12, 79311–79326. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3409355 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Wong, K-L., Hsu, Y-H., Lee, C-Y. & Li, W-Y. Wideband 4-Port Patch Antenna Module Based Compact 8-Port Two-Module Antenna for 6G Upper Mid-Band 8 × 4 Device MIMO With Enhanced Spectral Efficiency. IEEE Access. 12, 88976–88991. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3419549 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fang, Y. et al. Shared-Aperture, Eight-Antenna MIMO Array With MIMO-SAR Reduction. IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag. 72 (2), 1905–1910. https://doi.org/10.1109/TAP.2023.3339223 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Khan, I., Zhang, K., Ali, L. & Wu, Q. Enhanced Quad-Port MIMO Antenna Isolation With Metamaterial Superstrate. IEEE Antennas. Wirel. Propag. Lett. 23 (1), 439–443. https://doi.org/10.1109/LAWP.2023.3328002 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Baghel, N., Mukherjee, S. & SICL-Based Multifunctional MIMO Antenna Array for 5G and Beyond (B5G) Applications. IEEE Antennas. Wirel. Propag. Lett. 23 (6), 1799–1803. https://doi.org/10.1109/LAWP.2024.3370174 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Nahin, K. H. et al. Performance prediction and optimization of a high-efficiency tessellated diamond fractal MIMO antenna for terahertz 6G communication using machine learning approaches. Sci. Rep. 15 (1), 4215. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88174-2 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Agrawal, K. K., Mishra, D., Gaur, N. K., Yadav, V. & Mishra, B. Machine learning driven four-elements high gain MIMO antenna for wireless connectivity. Cluster Comput. 27 (9), 12707–12725. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10586-024-04613-1 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Baz, A., Jansari, D., Lavadiya, S. P. & Patel, S. K. Miniaturized and high gain circularly slotted 4×4 MIMO antenna with diversity performance analysis for 5G/Wi-Fi/WLAN wireless communication applications. Results Eng. 20, 101505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2023.101505 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Mishra, B., Singh, A. K., Sayeed, S. S. & Pandey, A. Inverted L-shaped with rectangular annular ring ground plane 4-port MIMO antenna for satellite and 5G NR applications. Phys. Scr. 100 (2), 025508. https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/ada406 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Balanis, C. A. Antenna theory: analysis and design (John wiley \& sons, 2016).

  19. Garg, R., Bhartia, P., Bahl, I. & Ittipiboon, A. Microstrip Antenna Design Handbook (Artech House, 2001).

  20. Das, T. K., Dwivedy, B. & Behera, S. K. Design of a meandered line microstrip antenna with a slotted ground plane for RFID applications. AEU - Int. J. Electron. Commun. 118, 153130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeue.2020.153130 (2020).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Fernández, O., Fernández, T. & Gómez, Á. Compact Low-Cost Filter for 5G Interference Reduction in UHF Broadcasting Band. Electronics 10 (8), 974. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10080974 (2021).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Choudhary, S. D. et al. Design of dual-polarized triple-band concentric annular-ring microstrip patch antenna for GPS applications. Int. J. Microw. Wirel. Technol. 14 (10), 1338–1346. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1759078721001756 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Dwivedy, B. Consideration of Engineered Ground Planes for Planar Antennas: Their Effects and Applications, a Review. IEEE Access. 10, 84317–84329. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3195507 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Elabd, R. H. & Megahed, A. A. Isolation enhancement of a two- orthogonal printed elliptical slot MIMO antenna array with EBG structure for millimeter wave 5G applications. Discover Appl. Sci. 6 (5), 222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-024-05881-7 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Mishra, P. & Kulat, K. D. An Eight-Element MIMO Antenna Array for NR Application. IETE J. Res. 70 (5), 4562–4571. https://doi.org/10.1080/03772063.2023.2243874 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Abubakar, H. S. et al. Eight element MIMO antenna for sub 6 GHz 5G cellular devices. Phys. Scr. 99 (8), 085559. https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/ad648b (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  27. Chen, H. et al. Compact 8-Port Low‐Profile Antenna Array for 5G Mobile Phones. Int. J. Antennas Propag. 2024 (1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/3605893 (2024).

  28. Abdullah, M. et al. An Eight Element Wideband DGS MIMO Antenna System for 5G Handheld Devices. IEEE Access. 12, 141476–141488. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3467060 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  29. John, D. M. et al. Eight Element Wideband Antenna with Improved Isolation for 5G Mid Band Applications. Technologies 12 (10), 200. https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies12100200 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  30. Jose Alfredo, T-M. et al. Small-Size Eight-Element MIMO Metamaterial Antenna with High Isolation Using Modal Significance Method. Sensors 24 (19), 6266. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24196266 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  31. Srivastava, G., Mohan, A., Compact Eight-Port, Q. M. S. I. W., Cavity-Backed, M. I. M. O. & Antenna IEEE Antennas. Wirel. Propag. Lett. ; 23(12):4044–4048. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/LAWP.2024.3414176. (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  32. Parchin, N. O. et al. Four-Element/Eight-Port MIMO Antenna System With Diversity and Desirable Radiation for Sub 6 GHz Modern 5G Smartphones. IEEE Access. 10, 133037–133051. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3227199 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

  33. Shao, R., Chen, X., Wang, J. & Wang, X. Design and Analysis of an Eight-Port Dual-Polarized High-Efficiency Shared-Radiator MIMO Antenna for 5G Mobile Devices. Electronics 11 (10), 1628. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11101628 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

  34. Mishra, M., Chaudhuri, S., Kshetrimayum, R. S., Sharawi, M. S. & Kishk, A. A. A Highly Efficient and Low-Mutual Coupling Partial $\pi /8$ SIW Cavity-Based 8-Port MIMO Antenna. IEEE Antennas. Wirel. Propag. Lett. 22 (7), 1721–1725. https://doi.org/10.1109/LAWP.2023.3262159 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  35. Mishra, B. et al. High isolated 8-port MIMO antenna and 16-port massive antenna for mm wave (5G NR-n260) applications in time division duplex mode. Sci. Rep. 14 (1), 31023. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82172-6 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Wang, M., Loh, T-H., Zhao, Y. & Xu, Q. A Closed-Form Formula of Radiation and Total Efficiency for Lossy Multiport Antennas. IEEE Antennas. Wirel. Propag. Lett. 18 (12), 2468–2472. https://doi.org/10.1109/LAWP.2019.2940382 (2019).

    Google Scholar 

  37. Wong, K-L., Hong, S-E. & Li, W-Y. Low-Profile Four-Port MIMO Antenna Module Based 16-Port Closely-Spaced 2 × 2 Module Array for 6G Upper Mid-Band Mobile Devices. IEEE Access. 11, 110796–110808. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3322730 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  38. Khan, A., He, Y. & Chen, Z. N. An Eight-Port Circularly Polarized Wideband MIMO Antenna Based on a Metamaterial-Inspired Element for 5G mmWave Applications. IEEE Antennas. Wirel. Propag. Lett. 22 (7), 1572–1576. https://doi.org/10.1109/LAWP.2023.3251740 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Srinubabu, M. & Rajasekhar, N. V. A compact and highly isolated integrated 8-port MIMO antenna for sub-6 GHz and mm-wave 5G-NR applications. Results Eng. 25, 104068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104068 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

Open access funding provided by Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology, CMR University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

    Brijesh Mishra

  2. School of Computer Science and Engineering, REVA University, Rukmini Knowledge Park, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, Sathanur, Kattigenahalli, Karnataka, India

    R. Sethumadhavi

  3. United University Prayagraj, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Sweta Singh

  4. Institute of Technology and Management, Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Saiyed Salim Sayeed

  5. Department of Interdisciplinary Courses in Engineering, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Chitkara, Punjab, India

    Aditya Kumar Singh

  6. Department of ECE, Shambhunath Institute of Engineering and Technology (SIET), Prayagraj, India

    Amrees Pandey

  7. Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India

    Tanweer Ali

Authors
  1. Brijesh Mishra
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Sethumadhavi
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sweta Singh
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Saiyed Salim Sayeed
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Aditya Kumar Singh
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Amrees Pandey
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Tanweer Ali
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

B.M.: Formal analysis, antenna design, literature collection, original draft, Prepared figures, R. S.: Literature survey, methodology, application, S.S.: Conceptualization and methodology, S.S.S.: Analysis and investigation, A.K.S.: State-of- the-art comparison, A.P.: Reviewed the manuscript and measurement, T.A.: Review & editing and supervision.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Aditya Kumar Singh or Tanweer Ali.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mishra, B., Sethumadhavi, R., Singh, S. et al. An ultra-compact and high isolated 8 × 8 MIMO antenna system for 5G NR-n46 and n79 band applications. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-43426-7

Download citation

  • Received: 08 February 2026

  • Accepted: 04 March 2026

  • Published: 07 March 2026

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-43426-7

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

Keywords

  • MIMO antenna
  • 5G NR bands
  • Compact size
  • Diversity and spatial multiplexing
  • Annular ring
  • Licensed assisted access (LAA)
Download PDF

Advertisement

Explore content

  • Research articles
  • News & Comment
  • Collections
  • Subjects
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on X
  • Sign up for alerts
  • RSS feed

About the journal

  • About Scientific Reports
  • Contact
  • Journal policies
  • Guide to referees
  • Calls for Papers
  • Editor's Choice
  • Journal highlights
  • Open Access Fees and Funding

Publish with us

  • For authors
  • Language editing services
  • Open access funding
  • Submit manuscript

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

  • Explore articles by subject
  • Find a job
  • Guide to authors
  • Editorial policies

Scientific Reports (Sci Rep)

ISSN 2045-2322 (online)

nature.com footer links

About Nature Portfolio

  • About us
  • Press releases
  • Press office
  • Contact us

Discover content

  • Journals A-Z
  • Articles by subject
  • protocols.io
  • Nature Index

Publishing policies

  • Nature portfolio policies
  • Open access

Author & Researcher services

  • Reprints & permissions
  • Research data
  • Language editing
  • Scientific editing
  • Nature Masterclasses
  • Research Solutions

Libraries & institutions

  • Librarian service & tools
  • Librarian portal
  • Open research
  • Recommend to library

Advertising & partnerships

  • Advertising
  • Partnerships & Services
  • Media kits
  • Branded content

Professional development

  • Nature Awards
  • Nature Careers
  • Nature Conferences

Regional websites

  • Nature Africa
  • Nature China
  • Nature India
  • Nature Japan
  • Nature Middle East
  • Privacy Policy
  • Use of cookies
  • Legal notice
  • Accessibility statement
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Your US state privacy rights
Springer Nature

© 2026 Springer Nature Limited

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing