Beamforming method and apparatus

A method of beamforming radio signals using a plurality of antenna elements, the method comprising:

• operating the plurality of antenna elements as two or more antenna element groups, with each antenna element group having a corresponding group signal that is combined from or split into a plurality of branch circuits associated with the corresponding antenna element group, each branch circuit corresponding to a respective one of the antenna elements and including a sign reversal circuit that is controllable to reverse or not reverse a polarity of a branch signal conveyed by the branch circuit;
• said step of operating the plurality of antenna elements as two or more antenna element groups including controlling a differential phase shift between the group signals jointly with controlling the plurality of sign reversal circuits, to perform the beamforming;
• and
• for any defined beam direction and/or beam shape to be effectuated, controlling any one or more of:
• a group configuration of any one or more of the respective antenna element groups;
• settings for the sign reversal circuits;
• and settings for the one or more phase shifters.

A communication apparatus comprising:

• communication interface circuitry configured for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals;
• wherein the communication interface circuitry includes a beamforming apparatus configured for beamforming of radio signals using a plurality of antenna elements and comprising:
• a plurality of branch circuits, each branch circuit associated with a respective one of the antenna elements and including a sign reversal circuit that is controllable to reverse or not reverse a polarity of a branch signal conveyed by the branch circuit;
• one or more phase shifters controllable to impart a differential phase shift between two or more group signals comprising at least first and second group signals, each group signal corresponding to a respective antenna element group within the plurality of antenna elements and being combined from or split into the branch circuits associated with the respective antenna element group;
• and
• control circuitry configured to perform the beamforming by controlling the one or more phase shifters jointly with controlling the sign reversal circuits in the branch circuits associated with the respective antenna element groups,
• wherein, for any defined beam direction and/or beam shape to be effectuated, the control circuitry is configured to control any one or more of:
• a group configuration of any one or more of the respective antenna element groups;
• settings for the sign reversal circuits;
• and settings for the one or more phase shifters.