Using Software-Defined Radio Learning Modules for Communication Systems

The paradigm known as Cognitive Radio (CR) proposes a continuous sensing of the electro-magnetic spectrum in order to modify dynamically the parameters of transmission, making an intelligent use of the environment. This paradigm becomes especially relevant under the increasing number of IoT (Internet of Things) devices producing congestion in the spec-trum. Nowadays, many different Software-Define Radio (SDR) platforms provide with the tools to implement CR systems. In the framework of a ‘Communication Systems’ course, this paper presents a methodology to learn the fundamentals of radio transmitters and receivers doing practical experiments using commercial SDR modules.