Communication between two distant points has been a constant challenge for mankind. From ancient smoke signals, to the telegraph, to finally wireless communication through electromagnetic signals, this evolution represents a constant effort to improve the quality and efficiency of distance communication with ever-evolving techniques to enhance the delivery of content, from voice to the streaming of multimedia contents. Wireless handheld devices are the most representative paradigm of these efforts. In this regard, the antenna community often has a high-profile role in designing low-profile, small, multiband antennas and multiple antenna systems to satisfy the strict demands of these devices. Furthermore, the complexity of antenna design in handset devices continues to increase with safety regulations which require efficient antennas to radiate power into free space, while minimizing the power radiated towards the human head.

Antenna modeling in handheld devices, using electromagnetic simulation software, has improved significantly. Complex environments surrounding the antenna (nearby components) can be modeled accurately.

Recent advances in measurement systems and methodologies have been hot topics in the antenna measurement community for capturing radiated performance in LTE and MIMO antenna systems.

Finally, with the commercial success of, and demand for, handheld wireless devices comes the important role of good manufacturing techniques. This is not only important for reducing the cost of mass production, but also for enhancing the design performance and size in a controlled fashion.

The goal of this special issue is to present the new challenges and progress in the field of small and/or multiband antennas for wireless handheld devices. This includes technologies operating in any of the communication standards (GSM, CDMA, LTE, UMTS, etc.), broadcast standards (FM, DVB-H, etc.), and connectivity standards (Bluetooth, WIFI, WLAN, UWB, etc.). Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Small multiband handset antenna design and MIMO
• Modeling of wireless handheld devices, including effects of material properties and human effect (hand/head)
• Measurement procedures on TRP/TIS, SAR, MIMO, and human head/hand
• Material/fabrication methods for handset antennas
• Integration: effect of nearby components
• SAR mitigation techniques
• Hand loading effect mitigation techniques
• Mitigation techniques for minimizing the correlation coefficient between antennas in handset devices
• Measurement techniques in MIMO antenna systems
• Material characterization in handset devices
• New antenna performance parameter assessment
• Progress in material science (including metamaterials) for improving antenna performance

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijap/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: