The Digital Communications course utilizes cutting-edge equipment to immerse students in hands-on laboratory experiences, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications.

GNU Radio an open-source software toolkit widely used in academia and industry for designing and simulating signal processing workflows. It provides a flexible environment where students can experiment with digital communication systems without requiring costly hardware setups. In the context of this course, GNU Radio enables students to create their own modulation and demodulation schemes, such as BPSK, QPSK, or OFDM, and simulate the transmission and reception of signals. Students also use it to process real-world signals captured by SDR devices, offering an intuitive way to visualize and analyze signal flow in communication systems.

SDR NooElec NESDR Smart is a highly accessible Software-Defined Radio (SDR) receiver that allows students to receive signals from a broad frequency range, spanning from approximately 25 MHz to 1.75 GHz. This device is compact yet powerful, making it ideal for capturing signals in real-world environments, which can then be processed using tools like GNU Radio or MATLAB. In lab exercises, students use the SDR NooElec to demodulate signals, explore spectral occupancy, and analyze live signals to understand key concepts like signal-to-noise ratios and spectral efficiency.

HackRF SDR Scott Devices provide students with a versatile tool for both transmitting and receiving signals. With a frequency range of 1 MHz to 6 GHz, this SDR supports wideband transmissions, enabling students to simulate end-to-end communication systems. The ability to transmit signals designed in the lab allows students to explore the challenges of real-world communication, such as distortion and interference. They can experiment with modulation techniques like QAM or FSK, create custom waveforms, and evaluate their transmission’s performance under varying channel conditions. This hands-on experience reinforces theoretical knowledge and enhances their problem-solving skills.

By using this equipment, students gain practical skills in designing, implementing, and analyzing digital communication systems. The lab sessions include activities like designing filters to combat intersymbol interference, analyzing the BER of modulated signals, and exploring the utilization of real-world spectra. These tools prepare students for careers in telecommunications and signal processing by giving them firsthand experience with the technologies that drive modern communication systems.