Horn integrated 3-D printed four-port MIMO DRA for CubeSats

Abstract This article explores 3D-printed horn-integrated MIMO Dielectric Resonator Antennas (DRAs) designed specifically for CubeSats. Traditional manufacturing methods struggle to create complex and customized DRAs. However, 3D printing offers a revolutionary approach, enabling the development of intricate, optimized DRA configurations even in miniaturized sizes. Notably, the 3D printing material utilized in this design is Polylactic Acid (PLA), a biodegradable material that contributes to reducing electronic waste (e-waste) in space. The proposed design boasts an impressive bandwidth exceeding 6 GHz (11.42 GHz–17.52 GHz) with an |S 11 | below −10 dB. It achieves a maximum gain of 12.4 dBi and a maximum directivity of 15.4 dBi. Furthermore, the Envelope Correlation Coefficient (ECC) remains remarkably low, at less than 0.06. These attributes make this MIMO antenna ideal for advanced communication systems and MIMO-enabled applications, particularly within the realm of CubeSat technology.