Metamaterials for MIMO

Abstract

Since their first realization the development of metamaterial based devices and applications has gained an increasing level of interest. These materials offer the opportunity to specifically engineer the materials ability to, control, enhance and suppress EM wave propagation though and near these materials, either in a specific direction or altogether. These materials have been used to construct a range of novel microwave devices such as antennas [1,2], phase-shifters [3], couplers [4], broadband compact power-dividers [5] and other devices such as beam steerers, modulators, band-pass filters and lenses. More recently researchers have considered the use of metamaterials for MIMO application, either as antenna or parasitic/absorptive elements to control interference. In this paper we present an overview of metamaterials, looking at design, fabrication, and characterization. Focused towards the ability of metamaterials to offer a tailored EM mm-wave response for novel MIMO and 5G applications.