Directing the signals on transmitter/receivers with multiple antennas such as 802.11n access points. The beamforming, which improves transmission speed, is accomplished by detecting the signals and sending feedback to the transmitter, which can adjust the phase and amplitude of the signals at its antennas. Beamforming can also work with transmitters that cannot cooperate in the process by detecting incoming signals and adjusting the receiving side. See MIMO, antenna diversity, WirelessHD and WiGig.
With highly directional transmission, such as WiGig, beamforming can bounce the signals off walls and other objects in order to reach their destination. (Image courtesy of Wireless Gigabit Alliance, www.wirelessgigabitalliance.org)
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