Real-Time Statistical Measurement of Wideband Signals Based on Software Defined Radio Technology
The increase in channel bandwidth and peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of modern communication standards poses a serious challenge to performing channel power (CP) and complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) measurements in real-time using standard measurement solutions based on spec...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Electronics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/12/13/2920 |
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| author | Mirela Șorecău Emil Șorecău Annamaria Sârbu Paul Bechet |
| author_facet | Mirela Șorecău Emil Șorecău Annamaria Sârbu Paul Bechet |
| author_sort | Mirela Șorecău |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The increase in channel bandwidth and peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of modern communication standards poses a serious challenge to performing channel power (CP) and complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) measurements in real-time using standard measurement solutions based on spectrum analyzers (SA). Recently, Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology has become a viable alternative to the conventional real-time spectrum monitoring approach based on SA due to its reduced cost. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a novel, innovative, agile and cost-effective solution to enable both CP and CCDF measurements on a state-of-the-art SDR platform. The proposed solution exploits the ability of the SDR equipment to access signal samples in the time domain and defines both CP and CCDF-type measurements. The two measurement functions are software implemented in GNU Radio by designing customized blocks and integrated into a graphical user interface. The proposed system was first tested and parameterized in a controlled environment using emitted signals specific to the IEEE 802.11ax family of wireless local area networks. After parameterization, the SDR-based system was used for over-the-air measurements of signals emitted in the 4G+, 5G and 802.11ax communication standards. By performing the measurement campaign, we have demonstrated the capabilities of the measurement system in performing real-time measurements on broadband channels (up to 160 MHz for IEEE 802.11ax). Altogether, we have proved the usability of CP and CCDF measurement functions in providing valuable insights into the power distribution characteristics of signals emitted by the latest communication standards. By exploiting the versatility of SDR technology, we have enabled a cost-effective solution for advanced real-time statistical measurements of modern broadband signals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:43:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8f841585783b4f2ab35c8f211c32c233 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-9292 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:43:08Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Electronics |
| spelling | doaj.art-8f841585783b4f2ab35c8f211c32c2332023-11-18T16:25:20ZengMDPI AGElectronics2079-92922023-07-011213292010.3390/electronics12132920Real-Time Statistical Measurement of Wideband Signals Based on Software Defined Radio TechnologyMirela Șorecău0Emil Șorecău1Annamaria Sârbu2Paul Bechet3Department of Electrotechnics and Measurements, Technical University of Cluj Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Electrotechnics and Measurements, Technical University of Cluj Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCommunications, IT and Cyber Defense Department, “Nicolae Bălcescu” Land Forces Academy, 550170 Sibiu, RomaniaCommunications, IT and Cyber Defense Department, “Nicolae Bălcescu” Land Forces Academy, 550170 Sibiu, RomaniaThe increase in channel bandwidth and peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of modern communication standards poses a serious challenge to performing channel power (CP) and complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) measurements in real-time using standard measurement solutions based on spectrum analyzers (SA). Recently, Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology has become a viable alternative to the conventional real-time spectrum monitoring approach based on SA due to its reduced cost. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a novel, innovative, agile and cost-effective solution to enable both CP and CCDF measurements on a state-of-the-art SDR platform. The proposed solution exploits the ability of the SDR equipment to access signal samples in the time domain and defines both CP and CCDF-type measurements. The two measurement functions are software implemented in GNU Radio by designing customized blocks and integrated into a graphical user interface. The proposed system was first tested and parameterized in a controlled environment using emitted signals specific to the IEEE 802.11ax family of wireless local area networks. After parameterization, the SDR-based system was used for over-the-air measurements of signals emitted in the 4G+, 5G and 802.11ax communication standards. By performing the measurement campaign, we have demonstrated the capabilities of the measurement system in performing real-time measurements on broadband channels (up to 160 MHz for IEEE 802.11ax). Altogether, we have proved the usability of CP and CCDF measurement functions in providing valuable insights into the power distribution characteristics of signals emitted by the latest communication standards. By exploiting the versatility of SDR technology, we have enabled a cost-effective solution for advanced real-time statistical measurements of modern broadband signals.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/12/13/2920software defined radiospectrum analyzerchannel powercomplementary cumulative distribution functionIEEE 802.11axLTE-A |
| spellingShingle | Mirela Șorecău Emil Șorecău Annamaria Sârbu Paul Bechet Real-Time Statistical Measurement of Wideband Signals Based on Software Defined Radio Technology Electronics software defined radio spectrum analyzer channel power complementary cumulative distribution function IEEE 802.11ax LTE-A |
| title | Real-Time Statistical Measurement of Wideband Signals Based on Software Defined Radio Technology |
| title_full | Real-Time Statistical Measurement of Wideband Signals Based on Software Defined Radio Technology |
| title_fullStr | Real-Time Statistical Measurement of Wideband Signals Based on Software Defined Radio Technology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Real-Time Statistical Measurement of Wideband Signals Based on Software Defined Radio Technology |
| title_short | Real-Time Statistical Measurement of Wideband Signals Based on Software Defined Radio Technology |
| title_sort | real time statistical measurement of wideband signals based on software defined radio technology |
| topic | software defined radio spectrum analyzer channel power complementary cumulative distribution function IEEE 802.11ax LTE-A |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/12/13/2920 |
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