Trends and Prospects in MIMO Antennas for Multi-Functional Wireless Communications

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid evolution of wireless communication systems, from 5G to the envisioned 6G and beyond, has ushered in an era where networks are no longer confined to traditional voice and data services. Future networks are expected to seamlessly integrate multi-functional capabilities, including high-speed communication, precise sensing, distributed computing, navigation, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven decision-making. These integrated functionalities demand unprecedented levels of spectral efficiency, spatial diversity, and energy efficiency, which are critically enabled by Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna systems.

MIMO technology, a cornerstone of modern wireless communications, leverages spatial multiplexing and diversity to enhance data rates and reliability. However, as networks evolve toward multi-functional integration, MIMO antennas must transcend their conventional roles. Emerging challenges, such as spectrum congestion, hardware complexity, and the need for real-time adaptability, require innovative antenna designs that simultaneously support communication, sensing (e.g., radar, localization), energy harvesting, and AI-powered signal processing. Furthermore, the convergence of MIMO with emerging paradigms such as reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)/intelligent reflecting surface (IRS), Terahertz (THz) communications, and integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) necessitates a paradigm shift in antenna design, deployment, and optimization.

This Special Issue will compile cutting-edge research on MIMO antenna innovations that bridge the gap between traditional communication systems and emerging multi-functional wireless networks, and will serve as a platform for researchers and engineers to redefine the boundaries of MIMO technology in the context of multi-functional wireless networks. It will highlight the following:

• Theoretical breakthroughs in antenna design, channel modeling, and signal processing for multi-functional MIMO systems.
• Experimental and simulation-based studies validating the performance of MIMO antennas in integrated communication–sensing–computing environments.
• Cross-disciplinary approaches combining MIMO with AI, machine learning, and advanced materials (e.g., metamaterials) to achieve adaptive, energy-efficient, and high-capacity networks.

Relevance to Journal Scope:

The journal’s focus on electronics, wireless communications, and emerging technologies aligns perfectly with the multi-functional integration enabled by MIMO antennas. This Special Issue will attract contributions from fields such as antenna theory, RF engineering, signal processing, and AI, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. It will also address practical challenges in hardware implementation, standardization, and scalability, which are critical for translating research into real-world applications.

Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

• Advanced MIMO architectures for multi-functional networks;
• MIMO for localization and navigation;
• AI-driven MIMO;
• Metamaterial-based MIMO antennas, RIS/IRS;
• Flexible MIMO systems, fluid antenna systems, movable antenna systems;
• Low-cost, high-efficiency MIMO arrays;
• Signal processing and protocol design;
• Security in MIMO networks;
• MIMO antennas for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, Orthogonal Time Frequency and Space (OTFS);
• MIMO antennas for drone networks;
• MIMO-enabled IoT for environmental monitoring;
• MIMO solutions for non-terrestrial communication;
• Machine learning for channel estimation, interference mitigation, and adaptive resource allocation;
• Information-theoretic limits for MIMO.

Submission Guidelines:

Original research articles, review papers, and case studies are welcome. All submissions must adhere to the journal’s formatting guidelines and undergo rigorous peer review. Authors are encouraged to highlight the novelty, practical relevance, and multi-disciplinary impact of their work.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Tong Zhang
Dr. Yao Ge
Dr. Wanli Ni
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• multiple-input multiple-output
• fluid antenna system/movable antenna system
• reconfigurable intelligent surface/intelligent reflecting surface
• multi-functional wireless network
• artificial intelligence
• large language model
• antenna design
• orthogonal time frequency space
• integrated sensing and communication
• degrees-of-freedom