This paper investigates coordinated beamforming using a modular linear array (MLA), composed of a pair of physically separated uniform linear arrays (ULAs), treated as sub-arrays. We focus on how such setups can give rise to near-field effects in 6G networks without requiring many antennas. Unlike conventional far-field beamforming, near-field beamforming enables simultaneous data service to multiple users at different distances in the same angular direction, offering significant multiplexing gains. We present a detailed analysis, including analytical expressions of the beamwidth and beamdepth for the MLA. Our findings reveal that using the MLA approach, we can remove approximately 36% of the antennas in the ULA while achieving the same level of beamfocusing.
@article{arxiv.2412.03232,
title = {Achieving Beamfocusing via Two Separated Uniform Linear Arrays},
author = {Alva Kosasih and Özlem Tugfe Demir and Emil Björnson},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2412.03232},
year = {2024}
}