David Louie J. Bedia, Alberto S. Banacia, Edward M. Querikiol
This paper presents a practical implementation of a phased array beamforming system for 5 G networks using Software-Defined Radio (SDR). As the demand for high-speed, low-latency wireless communication continues to rise, beamforming and millimeter-wave (mmWave) technologies play a crucial role in enhancing 5 G performance. To address this, the Analog Devices CN0566 (ADALM-Phaser) kit was integrated with a PlutoSDR and controlled through MATLAB and Python environments to perform both simulated and realworld beamforming experiments. Direction-of-Arrival (DOA) estimation algorithm using Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) was implemented to demonstrate adaptive beam steering and interference suppression. System calibration ensured consistent phase and gain across all array elements, while measured radiation patterns confirmed precise beam steering toward target directions. Experimental results demonstrate that the SDR-based phased array can dynamically steer beams and mitigate interference effectively. The study validates the feasibility of SDR platforms for $\mathbf{5 G}$ beamforming applications and offers a flexible foundation for future research in adaptive and reconfigurable wireless systems. © 2026 IEEE.
University of San Carlos, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Cebu City, Philippines
