1. MIMO: Multiplying the Pipe

MIMO uses multiple antennas to transmit and receive. By exploiting the small differences in how waves bounce off walls and objects, the receiver can separate two different signals that were sent on the same frequency at the same time.

2. Beamforming: Mechanical Motion via Math

Beamforming does not use a "dish" that moves. Instead, it uses a Phased Array. By shifting the timing (phase) of the signal sent to each antenna in a group, we can control where the waves converge.

• Constructive Interference: Waves arrive in-phase, doubling the signal strength at the target.
• Destructive Interference: Waves arrive out-of-phase, canceling the signal in directions where it isn't needed.

MU-MIMO (Multi-User MIMO)

Traditional Wi-Fi was like a hub—only one device could talk at a time. MU-MIMO allows an Access Point to talk to 4 or 8 devices simultaneously by creating individual "beams" for each, effectively giving every device its own private lane of traffic.

Conclusion

As we move toward 6G and Terahertz communication, the number of antennas will jump from 8 to hundreds (Massive MIMO). We are rapidly moving toward a world where the wireless medium is as stable and predictable as a wired cable, thanks to the precision of interference physics.