A software defined radio comparison of received power with quadrature amplitude modulation and phase modulation schemes with and without a human

This paper presents the application of software-defined radio to the study of received power with and without a human in close proximity to a receiver transmitter pair. Software defined radio is increasingly being used in radio related research and teaching in Universities, Schools and Colleges. For teaching it is typically being used in the classroom in close proximity to users/observers. Because several transceiver sets are needed to compare two or more modulation techniques in conventional radio this presents significant challenges with matching, synchronisation and noise. Two or more separate systems are needed. In contrast with software defined radio simple changes to the ratios of I and Q modulators can execute several modulation methods using the same system. This paper examines the use of a typical software defined radio in close proximity to a user which is typical in a classroom situation. The most suitable of two modulation techniques for use with communication systems close to humans as a function of received power for a typical office environment is presented

A systematic review of non-contact sensing for developing a platform to contain COVID-19

The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, and its resulting situation has garnered much effort to contain the virus through scientific research. The tragedy has not yet fully run its course, but it is already clear that the crisis is thoroughly global, and science is at the forefront in the fight against the virus. This includes medical professionals trying to cure the sick at risk to their own health; public health management tracking the virus and guardedly calling on such measures as social distancing to curb its spread; and researchers now engaged in the development of diagnostics, monitoring methods, treatments and vaccines. Recent advances in non-contact sensing to improve health care is the motivation of this study in order to contribute to the containment of the COVID-19 outbreak. The objective of this study is to articulate an innovative solution for early diagnosis of COVID-19 symptoms such as abnormal breathing rate, coughing and other vital health problems. To obtain an effective and feasible solution from existing platforms, this study identifies the existing methods used for human activity and health monitoring in a non-contact manner. This systematic review presents the data collection technology, data preprocessing, data preparation, features extraction, classification algorithms and performance achieved by the various non-contact sensing platforms. This study proposes a non-contact sensing platform for the early diagnosis of COVID-19 symptoms and monitoring of the human activities and health during the isolation or quarantine period. Finally, we highlight challenges in developing non-contact sensing platforms to effectively control the COVID-19 situation

Demonstrating the Practical Challenges of Wireless Communications Using USRP

Wireless communications is taught in most electronics degree curricula worldwide, where the main focus is the theory of communications. While it is essential that students learn the theory of communications, this is not enough to prepare them for their careers in industry. This is due to the fact that there are several practical challenges in designing and implementing wireless communications systems that are overlooked when focusing only on theory. Hence, in this article we describe the main challenges in designing practical communications systems, and demonstrate how the National Instruments Universal Software Radio Peripheral can be used for introducing and educating students about these challenges

Software Defined Radio using MATLAB & Simulink and the RTL-SDR

The availability of the RTL-SDR for less than $20 brings SDR to the home and work desktops of EE students, professional engineers and the maker community. The RTL-SDR device can be used to acquire and sample RF (radio frequency) signals transmitted in the frequency range 25MHz to 1.75GHz, and using some official software add-ons, these samples can be brought into the MATLAB and Simulink environment for users to develop receivers using first principles DSP algorithms. Signals that the RTL-SDR hardware can receive include: FM radio, UHF band signals, ISM signals, GSM, 3G and LTE mobile radio, GPS and satellite signals, and any that the reader can (legally) transmit of course! In this free book we introduce readers to SDR methods by viewing and analysing downconverted RF signals in the time and frequency domains, and then provide extensive DSP enabled SDR design exercises which the reader can learn from. The hands-on examples begin with simple AM and FM receivers, and move on to the more challenging aspects of PHY layer DSP, where receive filter chains, real-time channelisers, and advanced concepts such as carrier synchronisers, digital PLL designs and QPSK timing and phase synchronisers are implemented. Towards the end of the book, we demonstrate how the RTL-SDR can be used with SDR transmitters to develop a more complete communications system, capable of transmitting text strings and images across the desktop