Single-User vs. Multi-User Beamforming

The core difference between single-user and multi-user beamforming lies in the number of intended recipients of the signal. Let’s break it down:

Single User Beamforming:

• Communication: Involves a single transmitter communicating with a single receiver.
• Beam Shape: Employs a shaped beam specifically tailored to optimize the signal for that one particular receiver. Think of it as shining a focused spotlight directly onto a single person.

Multiuser Beamforming:

• Communication: A single transmitter communicates with multiple receivers (users) simultaneously.
• Beam Shape: Utilizes multiple, individually directed beams, each targeting a specific receiver. Imagine a lighthouse with multiple beams, each pointed towards a different ship. This allows the transmitter to send distinct data streams to different users concurrently.

In a nutshell:

Single-user beamforming is a one-to-one communication method using a single shaped beam, whereas multi-user beamforming is a one-to-many communication method using multiple directed beams.