multiplebeam

Multiplebeam refers to systems and techniques that create and control more than one distinct beam of energy (electromagnetic, acoustic, or optical) using a single platform. It is a general concept used in antenna theory, optics, and acoustic imaging to achieve simultaneous spatial coverage, information throughput, or focal targets.

In antenna and radar contexts, multiplebeam is typically realized with phased or digital beamforming. By adjusting the amplitude and phase of signals across an array, several beams can be steered in different directions at the same time. In digital beamforming, separate baseband streams or multi-channel processing allow independent beam patterns, enabling spatial multiplexing or multi-target tracking. Multi-beam configurations may use different polarization, bandwidth, or time-division to separate beams.

In optics, multiple beams can be formed with spatial light modulators or segmented mirrors, enabling parallel illumination, multi-field imaging, or optical trapping with several focal spots. In acoustics, array-based approaches form multiple acoustic beams for simultaneous sensing or treatment over different regions.

Applications include wireless communications (beamforming with multiple concurrent beams to serve several users), radar and surveillance, sonar and underwater acoustics, ultrasound imaging and therapy, and optical imaging systems such as light-field or synthetic aperture methods. Challenges include calibration and mutual coupling between elements, real-time processing demands, sidelobe control, cross-beam interference, and power efficiency.

See also: beamforming, phased array, MIMO, spatial multiplexing.