Measuring Hardware Impairments with Software-Defined Radios

TL;DR

This paper presents a practical educational tool using software-defined radios to teach students about RF hardware impairments, specifically nonlinear effects, through hands-on experiments with accessible hardware and open-source software.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, reproducible laboratory setup that combines SDR technology and common RF instruments to enhance learning of RF impairments in wireless communications.

Findings

Effective hands-on teaching method for RF impairments.

Improves understanding of nonlinear effects in RF front ends.

Accessible and reproducible educational laboratory setup.

Abstract

This Innovative Practice Full Paper introduces a novel tool for educating electrical engineering students about hardware impairments in wireless communications. A radio frequency (RF) front end is an essential part of a wireless transmitter or receiver. It features analog processing components and data converters which are driven by today's digital communication systems. Advancements in computing and software-defined radio (SDR) technology have enabled shaping waveforms in software and using experimental and easily accessible plug-and-play RF front ends for education, research and development. We use this same technology to teach nonlinear effects of RF front ends and their implications. It uses widely available RF instruments and components and SDR technology--well-established affordable hardware and free open source software--to teach students how to characterize the nonlinearity of RF receivers while providing hands-on experience with SDR tools. We present the hardware, software and procedures of our laboratory session that enable easy reproducibility in other classrooms. We discuss different forms of evaluating the suitability of the new class modules and conclude that it provides a valuable learning experience that bolsters the theory that is typically provided in lectures only.