USRP2

 

USRP2 is main hardware component used for this project. USRP2 is a hardware kit that allows the creation of a software radio by pairing it with a RF Daughterboard. The Daughterboard paired with the USRP2 was the XCVR 2450. The USRP2 is able to scan upto 25MHz of spectrum. It contains gigabit Ethernet controller, SD card slot and MIMO expansion slot at the front end with 8 LED indicators. The SD card contains the FPGA and Firmware images needed to power USRP2.

 

                                                         

                                                                        USRP2 Front end

 

GNU Radio

 

GNU Radio is the main software component used in this project. It is an open source software used in the creation of signal processing and communications applications using the implementation of Software Defined Radio's(SDR's) using low-to-mid cost external hardware such as the USRP2. GNU Radio has signal processing blocks written in C++ that help users create various applications. Applications can be coded in both python and C++ languages. GNU Radio is widley used in carrying out communications research. GNU Radio also has a GUI interface known as GNU Radio Companion(GRC) which helps users create applications using signal processing blocks to create and execute flow graphs, thus, eliminating the need for hard coding the applicatoins.

 

Orbit Lab

 

The implementation of this project is carried out on Orbit testbed and their sandboxes. Orbit lab 6 USRP2's in total. It has 4 USRP2's on its main testbed and 2 additional USRP2's on the sandbox environment,specifically sandbox 3.

 

                                                                                   

 

                                                  Orbit Testbed                                                                                        Sandbox Environment