Definition

beamforming

What is beamforming?

Beamforming is a type of RF (radio frequency) management in which an access point uses multiple antennas to send out the same signal.

By sending out multiple signals and analyzing the feedback from clients, the wireless LAN infrastructure can adjust the signals it sends out and determine the best path the signal should take in order to reach a client device. In a sense, beamforming shapes the RF beam as it traverses the physical space of the enterprise.

Learn More About IT:
> Shamus McGillicuddy explains the importance of beamforming to 802.11n wireless LAN success.

Related glossary terms: virtual area network (VAN), 10-high-day busy period (10HD busy period), graceful degradation, online, softswitch, maximum transmission unit (MTU), traffic shaping (packet shaping), Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS), WATS (wide-area telephone service), mail user agent (MUA)

This was last updated in October 2009

Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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