Enhancing gain and isolation of a quad-element MIMO antenna array design for 5G sub-6 GHz applications assisted with characteristic mode analysis.

This paper presents a novel quad-element array with multiple inputs and multiple outputs (MIMO) designed for 5th generation sub-6 GHz applications. The MIMO system achieves a wide impedance bandwidth, high gain, and high isolation among its components, representing significant advancements in sub-6 GHz antenna applications. The single element, an elliptical resonator with a circular slot, is fed by a 50 Ω microstrip feedline, achieves a broad characteristic bandwidth from 3.7 to 5.7 GHz with a resonant frequency of 4.33 GHz and a gain of 1.81 dBi. Characteristic Mode Analysis (CMA) was employed to elucidate the evolution phases of this design. The quad-element MIMO antenna array maintains a compact size and broadband characteristics by arranging mirrored elements on the same ground plane. Implemented on a cost-effective FR-4 substrate measuring 44 × 44 × 1.6 mm3, the recommended MIMO antenna array, enhanced with a partial ground plane and due to the introduction of a vertical strip, a high isolation of - 38.53 dB is achieved between MIMO components along with a realized gain of 3.01 dBi and a radiation efficiency of 71% in the 5G sub-6 GHz band. Noteworthy properties include high isolation, diversity gain (DG), and envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), verifying the appropriateness of the suggested MIMO scheme for 5G transmission and reception in sub-6 GHz applications.

Realization of circular polarized multiple band multi-mode OAM antenna using a ring patch for IoT applications.

A multiband and multi-mode antenna with circular polarized conical patterns is suitable for achieving desired spectral efficiency, increased capacity, and spatial diversity for IoT applications. However, simultaneous excitation of such circular polarized multiple Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) modes through a single patch antenna is challenging due to the complexity of simultaneously fulfilling distinct requirements of each mode. In this paper, a ring patch antenna is designed to excite different OAM states at different frequencies simultaneously. First, characteristic mode analysis is used to analyze the possibility of simultaneous excitation of multiple OAM modes at corresponding frequencies through a simple ring patch antenna. Then, a dual port ring patch antenna is designed and fabricated to verify the capability of generating multiple OAM states at corresponding frequencies. Furthermore, it also presents the guidance to suppress unwanted OAM modes.

Design of a Compact Dual-Band MIMO Antenna System with High-Diversity Gain Performance in Both Frequency Bands.

A compact four-element dual-band multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system is proposed to achieve high isolation and low channel capacity loss. The MIMO antenna was designed and optimized to cover the dual-frequency bands; the first frequency band is a wide band, and it covers the frequency range of 1550-2650 MHz, while the other frequency band covers the 3350-3650 MHz range. The measured wide-band impedance bandwidths of 1.1 GHz and 300 MHz were achieved in the lower and upper frequency bands, respectively. The proposed structure consists of four novel antenna elements, along with a plus-sign-shaped ground structure on an FR4 substrate. The overall electrical size of the whole dual-band MIMO antenna system is 0.3λ(W) × 0.3λ(L) × 0.008λ(H) for the lower frequency band. It achieved greater than 10 and 19 dB isolation in the lower and upper frequency bands, respectively. The antenna system accomplished an envelope correlation coefficient of |ρ|≤0.08 in the lower frequency band, while it achieved |ρ|≤0.02 in the higher frequency band. The computed channel capacity loss remained less than almost 0.4 bits/s/Hz in both frequency bands. Therefore, it achieved good performance in both frequency bands, with the additional advantage of a compact size. The proposed MIMO antenna is suitable for compact handheld devices and smartphones used for GSM (Global System for Mobiles), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 5G sub-6 GHz, PCS (Personal Communications Service), and WLAN (wireless local area network) applications.

Redox balance and DNA fragmentation in arsenic-exposed occupational workers from different industries of Pakistan.

AbstractOccupational exposure accounts for a contact between workers and different toxicants. Present study was designed to measure the arsenic-induced DNA fragmentation and oxidative stress in exposed workers. Blood, hair, and nail samples were collected from welding, brick kiln, furniture, pesticide, and paint industries (n = 50/industry) of Pakistan along with 200 controls. DNA damage was calculated using DNA fragmentation assay. Antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GPx) were measured using ELISA. Results revealed that arsenic exposure induced DNA fragmentation in brick kiln, furniture, and welding industries. Enzyme activity was reduced in five industries compared to control. In exposed group, significant depletion of enzymes was observed in furniture, welding, and brick kiln workers. Based on age and time of exposure, significant difference was observed in welding and brick kiln group. Smokers of exposed group showed significantly reduced levels of enzymes compared to controls. Arsenic deposition was observed higher in the hair, nail, and blood samples of exposed group (P < 0.001) compared to control. Likewise, lead and cadmium contents were higher in the blood samples of industrial workers compared to control. This study suggests increased trend of cellular damage and oxidative stress in occupational workers profoundly in welding, furniture, and brick kiln industries. Moreover, this study recognizes the contribution of age, exposure time, and smoking status toward arsenic-induced oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation.