Beamformer ICs are electronic circuits that influence the propagation, phase and gain of radio waves for a directional antenna. This enables high resolution and signal strength, and reduces interference, for the desired application, which includes radar, 5G, satcom, 5 mm wave and military or government use cases. 

Beamformer ICs are typically evaluated for their ability to control phase and gain, as well as the number of channels they can support. Some ICs permit phase adjustments with a least significant bit (LSB) as low as 5.625 degrees and gain intervals as small as 0.5 dB. This offers highly accurate beam steering and tight side-lobe control. Additionally, channels infer how many individual antenna elements can be controlled by the IC, although some ICs can be stacked to feed large arrays. These factors are especially important for communicating with many receivers that might be within a narrow reception field. 

Beamforming ICs must match the operational frequencies of the intended application, such as 5G (24–43 GHz), SATCOM (Ku/Ka-band) or defense (X, K or Ka bands). Polarization flexibility, including support for dual or circular polarization, adds versatility to the ICs.  Also notable is the circuit’s resilience to environmental challenges, which can be extreme for ICs mounted on aircraft, satellites and more. Due to the relatively limited power supply on these types of crafts, electrical efficiency is also a common criteria for design and sourcing.