Embodiments of the invention are concerned with improvements to antenna systems, in particular
beamforming antenna systems. Embodiments provide an improved beamformer arrangement for receiving and transmitting of signals by antenna elements. Embodiments are particularly well suited to use for transceiving of radio signals by base stations, such as are commonly found in cellular networks. In one aspect, embodiments provide a beamformer for use in
processing signals received, or transmitted, by a first
antenna element, the beamformer comprising a first set of ports and a second set of ports, wherein the first set of ports is connected to at least two antenna elements including said first
antenna element and the second set of ports is connected to a connecting port, wherein the beamformer is arranged to generate at least first and second output beams from signals received from the at least two antenna elements and to transform signals received via the second set of ports into signals for transmission by the at least two antenna elements, wherein the beamformer is arranged to combine said generated at least first and second output beams at the connecting port such that said signals from said first
antenna element are constructively combined at the connecting port, and to combine said at least first and second output beams at the connecting port such that signals from antenna elements other than the first antenna element are destructively combined at the connecting port, wherein the connecting port is arranged so as to provide access to individual said signals received, or transmitted, by said at least two antenna elements. In particularly preferred arrangements the first set of ports is connected to three or four antenna elements.