Multi-antenna techniques and beamforming for communication systems

Reconfigurability, efficiency, and power consumption are key areas for improvement in future communication systems. The frequency spectrum is becoming more crowded and the spatial density of users is increasing. It becomes interesting for a communication system to use temporary freedom in the spatial and spectral domain. In this paper, we provide an overview of multi-antenna techniques, which can exploit the spatial degree of freedom, thereby addressing the challenges of flexibility and reconfigurability of front-ends in communication systems. Starting with a general qualification of multi-antenna techniques, their benefits and their goals, we will focus on beamsteering and beamforming techniques and their possible application for communication systems.