Compact transmit receive hybrid electromagnetic isolation in antenna array transceiver system for full duplex applications

This study presents a hybrid electromagnetic isolation mechanism in a transceiver array antenna operating at 5.8 GHz. Maximum isolation between transmitting and receiving array antennas, at a very close spacing (3 mm = 0.058λ 0), and minimum mutual coupling between each array elements is achieved without antenna radiation pattern degradation. The achieved separation is equivalent to 44% size reduction compared with conventional half wavelength spacing criterion. Each of the transmitting and receiving array antennas is a four-element linear microstrip patch array antenna. The employed hybrid isolation technique is composed of defected ground structure, to minimise coupling between array elements, and uniplanar electromagnetic bandgap, to minimise the coupling between the transmitting and receiving antennas. The resulting transceiver array antenna system fulfils −35 dB mutual coupling between array elements, and 60 dB isolation between opponent transmitting and receiving array antennas. The proposed design procedures are discussed and analysed using electromagnetic full wave simulations. Results were verified through experimental measurements for reflection coefficient, mutual coupling and radiation characteristics in which a good agreement with simulated results is granted.