Analysis of antenna beamforming architectures for wireless communications

This Master’s Thesis presents a comparative analysis of analog, digital and hybrid beamforming architectures for Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems in Fifth-generation (5G) and future Sixth-generation (6G) networks. The demand for high data rates and massive connectivity, positions spatial processing as a key enabling technology, especially in Millimeter Wave (mmWave) bands where propagation losses require directional transmission. The methodology is based on a parameterized simulation in Matlab using a Uniform Linear Array (ULA) subject to co-channel interference, where performance metrics such as spectral efficiency, Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) evolution, and beam steering accuracy are evaluated. Additionally, signal distortion is analyzed through Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) sweeps, and hardware viability is quantified by computing the computational complexity in Floating-Point Operations (FLOPs). The results demonstrate that analog beamforming is hardware and power efficient but remains strictly limited to a single stream (Ns = 1). Digital beamforming offers optimal flexibility, but its scalability is unfeasible due to its cubic computational cost (O(N³)). Hybrid beamforming splits the processing between the digital baseband and an analog front-end, achieving an excellent trade-off: for example, using only 4 Radio Frequency (RF) chains for a 128 antenna system, it reduces the number of RF chains and the computational cost by more than 95% compared to the digital architecture. Likewise, EVM sweeps identify a critical angular interference barrier below 5º. In conclusion, the viability of the hybrid paradigm is demonstrated as the most efficient, balanced, and reproducible alternative for future practical deployments of massive MIMO networks, reducing hardware complexity without compromising system transmission capacity.

Grantor dc:publisher

Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Merino Garrido, Samuel

• beamforming, antenna, wireless

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10609/155831

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openaccess.uoc.edu:10609/155831