The present invention refers to an active antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements comprising: at least one first subset of the plurality of antenna elements, the at least one first subset relaying a first radio signal having a first antenna beam pattern; and at least one second subset of the plurality of antenna elements, the at least one second subset relaying a second radio signal having a second antenna beam pattern, wherein at least one of the plurality of antenna elements is a common antenna element belonging to both the first subset and the second subset. A method for operating the active antenna array is also disclosed.