The user inquired about beamforming in 802.11ac Wi-Fi products and whether Analog Devices (ADI) offers a solution. The final answer explains that Wi-Fi products typically use single-element antennas due to cost constraints, but ADI has discussed using vector modulator products (gain/phase control ICs) for a few-element Rx noise cancellation or improving transmitting directivity, suggesting a hybrid approach.
AI Generated Content
How is beamforming completed in Wi-Fi products such as 802.11ac? Does ADI have a product for that?
A lot of the WiFi products are high volume / very low cost so they tend not to be extensive high element count array where the electronics cost would add up. Traditionally I think they would have a simple single element antennae without much directivity. We have discussed recently with some customers using some of our vector modulator products (gain / phase control IC) to do a few element Rx noise cancellation for WiFi or improviing transmitting directivity. I think this is what this market would require i.e. not an extensive array network but more of a hybrid approach of what is done traditionally there.
