Beamforming

Beamforming is a powerful technique in which an array of antennas can be used to transmit radio signals in a specific direction or direction of interest by adjusting the signal amplitudes and phases. It uses multiple antennas to direct the signal towards a single receiving device instead of spreading in all directions which results in faster and reliable wireless data transfer. The multiple antennas are placed in closed proximity along with the help of beamforming tower and router it sends multiple signals at different times and determines the most suitable route for the signal to reach at the single receiving device.

Beamforming is also used widely in radar, sonar, biomedical, telecom, Wi-Fi, 5G. Beamforming is implemented in 5G networks based on various situation and technology. It is traffic-signaling system for cellular base station which identifies the most suitable route for data delivery to a particular user and reduces interference. Beamforming is also used in massive MIMO that enhanced throughput and capacity of 5G networks and increases capacity and coverage in a cell.?MIMO beamforming in wireless applications is used to increase data stream capacity between a base station and user elements.?Beamforming is also used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of received signals.

Beamforming has been involved with Wi-Fi technology. Beamforming supports MU-MIMO that allows multiple users to communicate simultaneously with multiple antennas on the router.?MU-MIMO uses beamforming technique such that communication from router is connected to each client. Wi-Fi 6 also increases the number of antennas from four to eight which improves data rates and increases the range for signals to their clients. Wi-Fi 7 is a major component of beamforming which make use of their simpler sequential sounding procedure that will be a part of Wi-Fi 7 technology.

Beamforming Benefits and limitations

??Beamforming improves spectral efficiency by providing better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Beamforming with many antenna technologies such as smart antenna, MIMO enhances cell range and capacity which results in getting clearer and stronger signal to the client.

??Beamforming provides better cell coverage in an indoor environment and at the edge of a cell by weights the amplitude and phase of antenna signals to create narrowly focused radiation.

??A beamforming receiver improves signal quality by modifying receiver antenna pattern.

??Beamforming techniques are adaptive to track a moving terminal. The received signal from the mobile terminal is processed to optimize the antenna pattern to track the target and enhances spectral efficiency and link quality.

??Beamforming technologies enables exchange of control information between base stations and signaling between base stations is enhanced to change beamforming patterns adaptively. Handover signaling and beamforming ensure a seamless connection when a user moves between cells.

??It also reduces the power of the beam for nearby subscribers and avoid interference near to the cell towers.

??Beamforming involves multiple antennas which requires higher hardware complexity.

? MIMO systems and beamforming algorithms are complex, so it requires more time, power resources and calculations and tends to be costly.

Beamforming Techniques

i.?Analog Beamforming – Analog beamforming is a technique with single-phase being adjusted in the analog domain. It uses single common RF source split among multiple antenna elements. It controls the beam by adjusting analog phase shifter along RF path.

?ii. Digital Beamforming – Digital beamforming contains dedicated RF signal and path for each antenna. Baseband processing digitally controlled the phase and amplitude and provides best beam control.

iii.?Hybrid Beamforming – Hybrid beamforming is a combination of both analog and digital beamforming. It digitally controls RF chains, splitters, and analog phase shifters.

Beamforming has the potential to become common in Wi-Fi and 5G technology in future as it becomes a necessary technology for communication and network capabilities. Also, beamforming algorithms are improved, it will become more secure to select the most suitable path to route data to specific user.