Projects:2014S1-33 Software-Defined Radio for VLF Transmission
Contents
Project Background
Environmental sensing is an emerging industry which will shape and support human activities. Large sensor networks exist to gather vital soil information such as soil moisture and salinity. Wired communication between sensor nodes is very cumbersome and infrastructure heavy. In contrast, standard wireless protocols in the microwave region require significant power and reduce battery life. In this project, the Very Low Frequency (VLF) range (30 kHz) has been sought as an alternate method of transmission. Additionally, Software-defined Radios (SDRs) have been used for both the transmitter and receiver. The use of an SDR allows for reduced hardware complexity and lower power consumption. Digital and analogue circuitry, a loop antenna and software have all been addressed to construct the system.
Project Background
What is VLF?
- Standard defined by International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- Frequency range 3 kHz to 30 kHz
- Wavelengths from 10 Km to 100 Km
What is an SDR?
- Radio components implemented in software
- Digital components replace analogue
- Interface with analogue world
- ADC and DAC conversion
- Processing takes place in digital domain
- Adaptable and customisable
- Wide range of applications
- Ideally support:
- Any waveform
- Any carrier frequency
- Any bandwidth
- Any modulation technique
Project Scope
System Overview
Hardware
Software
Personnel
Team Members
- Mr. Matthew Baronian
- Mr. Alex Coleman
- Mr. Jock Duncan
Supervisors
- Dr. Thomas Kauffman
- Prof. Christophe Fumeaux
