Mastering Software Defined Radio (SDR): GNU Radio and SDR++

Course Overview

• Course Title: Mastering Software Defined Radio (SDR): GNU Radio and SDR++
• Instructor: OCSALY Academy
• Target Audience:
  • Beginners
  • Hobbyists and Enthusiasts
  • Students and Professionals in telecommunications, electronics, and related fields
• Prerequisites:
  • Basic Understanding of how Computers Works
  • (Optional) SDR Device like RTL-SDR or HackRF

Curriculum Highlights

• Key Topics Covered:
  • Fundamentals of Radio and Signal Theory
  • Modulation Techniques
  • Digital vs. Analog Signals
  • Installing GNU Radio
  • GNU Radio Workspace Navigation
  • Working with Sources and Sinks
  • Designing Flowgraphs
  • Manipulating Signal Properties
  • Building an AM Receiver
  • Implementing QT GUI Elements
  • Simulating Real Radio Signals
  • Frequency Analysis
  • Exploring Sinusoidal Frequencies
  • Applying Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)
  • Combining Complex Signals
  • Processing Real-World Audio
  • Understanding Signal Gain
  • Decibel Theory
  • Introduction to Filters
  • Designing Equalizers
  • Advanced AM Receiver Concepts
  • Radio Tuning Theory
  • Frequency Shifting Techniques
  • Signal Processing in Computers
  • RF Tuning Implementation
  • AM Demodulation
  • Decimation in Signal Processing
  • Utilizing the Throttle Block
  • Introduction to RTL-SDR
  • Comparing SDR Hardware
• Key Skills Learned:
  • Understand the fundamental concepts of Software Defined Radio and signal processing
  • Install and use GNU Radio to create and analyze flowgraphs
  • Build and configure an AM receiver
  • Work with real SDR hardware, including RTL-SDR and HackRF
  • Use tools like SDR++ for practical applications
  • Learn Software Defined Radio (SDR) basics
  • Grasp the basic concepts of radio waves and signal propagation
  • Understand how information is encoded onto carrier waves using various modulation methods
  • Differentiate between digital and analog signals and their respective applications
  • Learn to set up GNU Radio on Linux, Windows, or macOS platforms
  • Become proficient in navigating the GNU Radio interface and utilizing its components
  • Understand the roles of sources and sinks in signal processing within GNU Radio
  • Develop skills to create and manage flowgraphs for signal processing tasks
  • Learn to adjust signal properties and apply multipliers effectively
  • Construct and configure an Amplitude Modulation (AM) receiver using GNU Radio
  • Add and configure QT graphical user interface components in your projects
  • Use recorded file sources to emulate real-world radio signals for testing and analysis
  • Create and interpret frequency spectra for various signals
  • Examine the characteristics and applications of sinusoidal waveforms
  • Utilize FFT for signal analysis and understand its practical applications
  • Learn techniques for merging complex signals in signal processing tasks
  • Work with actual audio signals to apply processing techniques
  • Comprehend how gain affects audio and radio signals and how to control it
  • Understand the decibel scale and its relevance in signal processing
  • Learn about different types of filters and their applications in signal processing
  • Create equalizers and observe the effects of varying sample rates on sound quality
  • Delve deeper into the workings of AM receivers and essential radio concepts
  • Understand the theoretical aspects of tuning radios to specific frequencies
  • Learn how frequency shifting is implemented and its significance
  • Discover how computers interpret and process radio signals
  • Develop and understand radio frequency tuning within SDR systems
  • Master the process of demodulating AM signals to retrieve transmitted information
  • Understand decimation and its role in reducing sample rates
  • Learn the purpose of the throttle block in GNU Radio and its practical applications
  • Explore the RTL-SDR hardware and its capabilities in SDR applications
  • Evaluate different SDR hardware options, such as HackRF and RTL-SDR models, to make informed choices

Course Format

• Duration: 7.5 hours on-demand video
• Format: Self-paced online course
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