Note 1 to entry: Individual transducer element signals are often combined in a weighted sum of amplitudes. These amplitudes are generally complex, prescribing both magnitude and phase.

Note 2 to entry: The subject of beamforming is addressed by array theory.

Note 3 to entry: The intention of beamforming is to shape and steer the beam, often to improve directionality, for example, to reduce ambient noise entering the receiver or to enable a finer determination of the direction of arrival of incoming sound signals.