Beamforming tutorial

1. What are beamforming techniques?
2. Is MIMO the same as beamforming?
3. How many antennas required for beamforming?
4. How does 5G beamforming work?
5. How is beamforming used in MIMO?

What are beamforming techniques?

Beamforming is a technique used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of received signals, eliminate undesirable interference sources, and focus transmitted signals to specific locations. Beamforming is central to systems with sensor arrays, including MIMO wireless communications systems such as 5G, LTE, and WLAN.

Is MIMO the same as beamforming?

Beamforming arrays are inherently different from MIMO in that the multiple columns of dipoles work together to create a single high gain signal. While both techniques work well, an antenna optimized for one method, does not work well for the other.

How many antennas required for beamforming?

Used since 3G, MIMO technology lets radio signals to be sent and received using several antennas. Massive MIMO antennas have many more component antennas (around 100) that allow them to transmit radio signals more efficiently. This allows for very high data rates.

How does 5G beamforming work?

Beamforming is the application of multiple radiating elements transmitting the same signal at an identical wavelength and phase, which combine to create a single antenna with a longer, more targeted stream which is formed by reinforcing the waves in a specific direction.

How is beamforming used in MIMO?

The objective of transmit beamforming is to maximise each user's received signal power while minimising the interference signal power from the other users, hence increasing capacity. This can be achieved by transmitting the same signal from all transmitters with different amplitudes and phases.