Signal Restoration and Channel Estimation for Channel Sounding with SDRs

TL;DR

This paper presents a practical algorithm for signal restoration and channel estimation using SDRs, addressing hardware quirks and artefacts to improve measurement accuracy in channel sounding.

Contribution

It introduces a novel algorithm combining time series and Fourier analysis to mitigate SDR hardware artefacts in channel sounding.

Findings

The method effectively reduces artefacts in recorded signals.

It provides reasonable channel estimates despite SDR hardware quirks.

Empirical results demonstrate improved accuracy over traditional approaches.

Abstract

In this paper, the task of channel sounding using software defined radios (SDRs) is considered. In contrast to classical channel sounding equipment, SDRs are general purpose devices and require additional steps to be implemented when employed for this task. On top of this, SDRs may exhibit quirks causing signal artefacts that obstruct the effective collection of channel estimation data. Based on these considerations, in this work, a practical algorithm is devised to compensate for the drawbacks of using SDRs for channel sounding encountered in a concrete setup. The proposed approach utilises concepts from time series and Fourier analysis and comprises a signal restoration routine for mitigating artefacts within the recorded signals and an encompassing channel sounding process. The efficacy of the algorithm is evaluated on real measurements generated within the given setup. The empirical results show that the proposed method is able to counteract the shortcomings of the equipment and deliver reasonable channel estimates.