Wired Antenna Arrays For 5G Applications in Cellular Base Stations: A Comparative Performance Analysis

The deployment of fifth-generation (5G) cellular networks demands advanced antenna systems capable of delivering high gain, wide bandwidth, low return loss, and efficient beamforming. This article presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of wired antenna arrays specifically dipole arrays, Yagi-Uda arrays, and log-periodic dipole arrays (LPDAs) designed for 5G base station applications at 3.5 GHz. Using CST Microwave Studio simulations, single-element and multi-element configurations were evaluated against key performance metrics including return loss, VSWR, gain, directivity, bandwidth, and radiation pattern characteristics. The ten-element dipole array achieved a gain of 11.79 dBi with a narrow beamwidth of 16.4°, representing a 9.5 dB improvement over a single dipole. The ten-director Yagi-Uda demonstrated superior return loss (-25.22 dB) and gain (11.7 dBi) compared to the three-director version (8.9 dBi). The four-element LPDA array exhibited enhanced bandwidth (0.508 GHz) and improved VSWR (1.255) relative to its single-element counterpart. These findings provide quantitative guidelines for selecting optimal wired antenna configurations for specific 5G deployment scenarios.

5G base station, dipole array, Yagi-Uda antenna, log-periodic dipole array, antenna array, beamforming, CST simulation, sub-6 GHz

1. A. Liu and G. Wang, "Smart antenna technologies for 5G wireless communications: A comprehensive survey," IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 4-32, 2019. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Z. Chen, J. Li, and X. Xia, "An overview of array antennas for 5G base stations," IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 2711-2734, 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. C. A. Balanis, Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design, 4th ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2016. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. A. S. Daniyal., "Design of high-gain base station antenna array for mm-wave cellular [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. communication systems," Scientific Reports, vol. 13, p. 4907, 2023. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. M. I. Islam et al., "A novel compact high-gain wide-band log periodic dipole array antenna for wireless communication systems," Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, vol. 43, no. 8, pp. 872-894, 2022. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. W. L. Stutzman and G. A. Thiele, Antenna Theory and Design, 3rd ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2012. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. T. S. Rappaport, Y. Xing, G. R. MacCartney Jr., A. F. Molisch, E. Mellios, and J. Zhang, "Overview of millimeter wave communications for fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks—With a focus on propagation models," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 65, no. 12, pp. 6213–6230, 2017. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. K. L. Wong, Planar Antennas for Wireless Communications. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, 2003. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. D. M. Pozar, Microwave Engineering, 5th ed. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, 2022. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. C. A. Balanis, Modern Antenna Handbook. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, 2008. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. S. Kumar, R. K. Chaudhary, and N. Kumar, "High-gain antenna array design for sub-6 GHz 5G base station applications," International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering, vol. 31, no. 5, e22631, 2021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. M. Sharawi, Printed Multi-Band MIMO Antenna Systems and Their Performance Metrics. Norwood, MA, USA: Artech House, 2019. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. H. Yang, Y. Zhang, X. Liu, and J. Zhou, "Wideband high-gain antenna arrays for sub-6 GHz fifth-generation wireless communications," IEEE Access, vol. 9, pp. 118749–118760, 2021 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. S. Sun, T. S. Rappaport, M. Shafi, H. Tataria, "Propagation models and performance evaluation for 5G millimeter-wave wireless communications," IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 67, no. 9, pp. 8422–8439, 2018. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Enhancing Formation Control of Multi Agent Systems Using Ann Based Technique
• Improving Sliding Mode Control with Chattering Reduction using Fuzzy Based Technique
• Cooking Quality, Fasting Blood Glucose, Glycemic Index and Load of High–Fiber Noodles Made from Wheat, Tiger Nut Residue and Cassava Flour Blends
• Matrix Rhythm Therapy Versus Interferential Therapy Combined with Lumbar Stabilization Exercises in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Comparative Trial
• Formulation and Sensory Evaluation of Functional Cake Prepared from Sweet Potato Powder