Definition of Beamforming
Beamforming or spatial filtering is a signal processing technique used in sensor arrays for directional signal transmission or reception. This is achieved by combining elements in an antenna array in such a way that signals at particular angles experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. Beamforming can be used at both the transmitting and receiving ends in order to achieve spatial selectivity. The improvement compared with omnidirectional reception/transmission is known as the directivity of the array.
Beamforming can be used for radio or sound waves. It has found numerous applications in radar, sonar, seismology, wireless communications, radio astronomy, acoustics and biomedicine. Adaptive beamforming is used to detect and estimate the signal of interest at the output of a sensor array by means of optimal (e.g., least-squares) spatial filtering and interference rejection.
Terms mentioned above
Related terms
HomePod
The HomePod is a series of smart speakers developed by Apple. Designed to work with the…
Multibeam echosounder
A multibeam echosounder (MBES) is a type of sonar that is used to map the seabed. It…
Tonpilz
The term tonpilz or "acoustic mushroom" may refer to a certain type of underwater…
White noise
In signal processing, white noise is a random signal having equal intensity at different…
Gaussian noise
In signal processing theory, Gaussian noise, named after Carl Friedrich Gauss, is a kind…
Spectral splatter
In radio electronics or acoustics, spectral splatter (also called switch noise) refers…
Musical acoustics
Musical acoustics or music acoustics is a multidisciplinary field that combines…
Pure tone
In psychoacoustics and signal processing, a pure tone is a sound or other signal with a…
Sonar signal processing
Sonar systems are generally used underwater for range finding and detection. Active…
Questions people ask
Real questions from the Stack Exchange community – follow a link to read the discussion.
- Microphone Analog Beamforming Circuit Questions · Electronics SE
Further reading
- Beamforming · Wikibooks: Engineering Acoustics
Frequently asked questions
What is Beamforming?
Beamforming or spatial filtering is a signal processing technique used in sensor arrays for directional signal transmission or reception.
Sources & credits
- Wikipedia: Beamforming – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Notbonbon at English Wikipedia – CC BY-SA 3.0