edit: GrantMoyer's answer is better. A phased array is a very high-tech method of selective transmission so that you can send a radio signal that is stronger i

edit: GrantMoyer's answer is better. A phased array is a very high-tech method of selective transmission so that you can send a radio signal that is stronger in one specific direction. The way I think of it is that it creates a virtual directional antenna where the direction is adjustable without actually physically moving the antenna elements. The actual tech involved is pretty heavy math and physics (and I don't fully understand it myself) so if you want to really understand it then you may still need to spend hours reading about it.