Labs

Disclaimer: Text with strikethrough is not finalized. Information will be updated as the course progresses.

Lab 0: Introduction

• Set up your Raspberry Pi (instructions, video)

• Introduction to Git PDF

Due Wednesday, February 2nd.

Lab 1: DTFT and Sonar

In this lab you will learn about the DTFT and matched filtering, and implement a real-time sonar using your Raspberry Pi, a speaker, and a microphone.

• Accept the GitHub assignment and create a new team with you and your partner's usernames (e.g. lab1-username1-and-username2).

• You can also find the files in the template repository.

• There is a demo video here.

Due Friday, February 11th.

Lab 2 Pre-Lab: Play with the RTL-SDR dongle

In this lab you will install the drivers for the RTL-Dongle and a software radio software to look at parts of the spectrum, listen to FM radio and other stations.

Link to Pre-Lab 2 (link). You can also find it under RTL-SDR tab of this website.

Lab 2: Spectral analysis using the DFT, ADS-B Flight Radar Receiver using RTL-SDR

In this lab you will explore spectral analysis using the DFT. In the second part, you will acquire samples from the spectrum using an SDR and look at it. In the third part you will detect and decode ADS-B packets that are transmitted by airplanes using the SDR and display their position on a map in real-time.

• Accept GitHub classroom assignment here.

• Or browse template repository here.

Due Friday, Feb 25th.

Lab 3: Time Frequency, Spectrograms, FM radio demodulation and subcarriers

In this lab, you will look at the time-frequency spectrograms of audio signals. You will also look at broadcast FM radio. You will receive samples of a bay area FM radio station KPFA (94.1 MHz) and digitally demodulate it to listen to its broadcasts. You will also demodulate its subcarrier that broadcasts a Punjabi radio station embedded within the FM signal.

• Accept GitHub classroom assignment here.

• Or browse the template repository here.

Due Friday, Mar 18th.

Lab 4: Digital Communications, Audio Frequency-Shift Keying

In this lab you will learn about digital modulation schemes. You will experiment with audio frequency-shift keying and then implement an APRS transceiver.

• Accept GitHub classroom assignment here.

• Or browse template repository here.

Pre-lab and Part I due Friday, April 8.

Final Project Part I: Image Compression

You will implement a JPEG-like image codec.

• Accept the GitHub assignment here.

• Or browse template repository here.

Due Friday, April 22.

Final Project Part II: Automatic Positioning and Reporting System (APRS)

You will learn about AX.25 and APRS messages, and if you have a ham license you will be able to send and receive messages including sending an email and SMS using your ham radio.

• Accept the GitHub assignment here.

• Or browse template repository here.

Due Friday, April 29

Final Project Part III: APRS + Streaming

You will implement a streaming APRS transceiver on your Pi.

• Accept the GitHub assignment here.

• Or browse template repository here.

Due Friday, April 29

Final Project Part IV: Your Contribution

You will improve upon the first three parts to implement an animated GIF communication system.

• Accept the GitHub assignment here.

• Check the Project tab for more details.

Due during Finals Week (code freeze April 12, presentations April 13 8-11am)