Course Description & Benefits

GNU Radio software is Open Source and allows users to interface with real SDR - Software Defined Radio receivers such as the RTL-SDR, HackRF1 and Pluto SDR. This permits the construction/simulation of any number of communications applications designed for your particular needs.  

  • What is GNU Radio, how to obtain the software and install it
  • Review GNU Radio Companion Desktop and Tool Box
  • Sampling Theorem, Nyquist Criteria and Orthogonal Signals
  • Signal Capture
  • AM Modulation & Examples
  • SSB Modulatiion & Examples
  • NBFM Modulation & Examples

Course Outline

Chapter 1 - Introduction
*Welcome from the Instructor
*Course Development & Outline
*About Instructor
*What is GNU Radio Companion
*Why is GNU Radio Companion Important
*Course Learning Outcomes 

Chapter 2 - Installation
*History of GNU Radio
*How to Obtain and Install GNU Radio Companion on Windows/Ubuntu Linux/RaspberryPi
*SDR Software Defined Radios: RTL-SDR, HackRF1, PlutoSDR
*Exercises & References

Chapter 3 - GNU Radio Companion
*GNU Radio Companion Desktop Interface
*Block Tree Panel Components
*Schematic Construction
*Exercises & References 

Chapter 4 - Sampling, Nyquist, Orthogonality
*Complex Numbers/Signals
*Sampling Theorem
*Orthogonality
*90deg Phase Shift & Hilbert Transform
*Exercises & References

Chapter 5 - Signal Capture
*Signal Capture
*RTL-SDR Settings
*HackRF1 & PlutoSDR Settings
*Exercises & References

Chapter 6 - AM Modulation
*AM Basics
*AM Modem
*AM Tx/Rx
*AM Rx_AMBand, Rx_SWBand, Rx_VHFAirBand
*Exercises & References

Chapter 7 - SSB Modulation
*SSB Basics
*SSB Receiver
*SSB Transmitter
*Exercises & References

Chapter 8 - NBFM Modulation
*WBFM Demodulator
*NBFM Demodulator
*Exercises & References

FAQ

  • Is this course right for me?

    The idea behind this course is to get you up and running with GNU Radio Companion and allow you to interface with common SDR receivers such as the RTLSDR, HackRF and PlutoSDR. This allows you access to the signals to do any custom processing that you want.

  • What background do I need

    This course is ideal for Amateur Radio Operators, University & College Engineering Students, Practising Engineers and Technologists.

  • Do I need to buy hardware?

    You need to have an SDR such as the RTL-SDR, HackRF or PlutoSDR. The RTL-SDR is very inexpensive. The course is based on GNU Radio running on a Windows 10 Laptop. GNU Radio also runs on Mac, Linux & RaspberryPi.

Course Background & Equipment Requirements

Background

*Amateur Radio Operator
*University/College Engineering Student
*Telecommunications Engineer/Technologist
*University/College Lab Instructor
*Basic Programming Knowledge Basic/C/Python

 

Equipment/Materials

*Windows 10/11 Laptop or MacOS or Ubuntu22.04 or RaspberryPi4
*Downloadable Open Source Software
*RTL-SDR >=V2 depending on your application & associated antenna