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RF and Wireless Communications: Educator and Classroom Resources

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Overview

Teaching and research related to communications systems requires a flexible platform that scales from software design to hardware prototyping. The National Instruments platform combines intuitive software with precision measurement hardware to enable hands-on learning and pioneering research.

Testimonials

As a result of the flexibility of LabVIEW and high-quality NI hardware, we can innovate in teaching and research, making our students prime candidates for becoming next-generation leaders in wireless communications.
Dr. Robert W. Heath, The University of Texas (Austin)

Resources

Classroom Resources
Download sample courseware, instructor slides and links to university course web sites
 

Software Simulations & Examples Explore example labs, LabVIEW demos, and project ideas

 

Textbooks, Applicable Courses &  Topics 
Discover the textbooks that use LabVIEW to teach RF & communications
 

Hardware Labs & Exercises
Perform hardware-based experiments to explore concepts

 

Case Studies & Conference Papers
See how other schools use LabVIEW for RF & communications
 

Videos & Webcasts
View short video demonstrations, webcasts of concepts

 

Software Licensing Options Adopt LabVIEW at your institution with these licensing options  

Recommended Lab Configurations
Outfit your teaching and research labs with these setups

Visit ni.com/academic for additional teaching and research resources

 

Classroom Resources

Digital Communications Lab at the University of California (San Diego)

Professor George Papen at the University of California (San Diego) teaches a Digital Communications Lab with NI LabVIEW and NI RF modular instruments. The course web site includes lab assignments, lecture slides, and more. 
Read more  or  visit the web site...

Digital Communications Lab at the University of Illinois

Professor Christopher D. Schmitz at the University of Illinois (Urbana -Champaign) teaches a digital communications lab using LabVIEW. The course web site includes lab exercises, projects, handouts, and more.
Visit the web site...


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Software Simulations and Examples

The following LabVIEW examples explore a variety of communications concepts. These examples are software-only simulations that do not require any hardware.

Amplitude Modulation

This example includes background information and step-by-step instructions that examine Amplitude Modulation (AM). We will construct a LabVIEW VI that transmits and receives a signal in software using AM.
Download Now.

Frequency Modulation

This example includes background information and step-by-step instructions that examine Frequency Modulation (FM). We will construct a LabVIEW VI that transmits and receives a signal in software using FM.
Download Now.

Single Sideband Modulation (SSB)

This example examines Single Sideband Modulation (SSB) with a LabVIEW VI that produces a modulated single-sideband signal.
Download Now.

Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)

This example includes background information and step-by-step instructions that examine the Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) digital modulation scheme. We will construct a LabVIEW VI that transmits and receives a bit stream in software using ASK.
Download Now.

Frequency Key Shifting (FSK)

Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) is a digital modulation scheme that modulates a carrier sinusoid's frequency to transfer digital information. In this step-by-step exercise, we will construct a LabVIEW VI that transmits and receives a digital bit stream in software using FSK.
Download Now.

Phase Shift Keying (PSK)

This example includes background information and step-by-step instructions that examine the Phase Shift Keying (PSK) digital modulation scheme. We will construct a LabVIEW VI that transmits and receives a digital bit stream in software using PSK.
Download Now.

Differential Phase Shift Keying (DPSK)

This example includes background information and step-by-step instructions that examine the Differential Phase Shift Keying (DPSK) digital modulation scheme. We will we will construct a LabVIEW VI that transmits and receives a digital bit stream in software using DPSK.
Download Now.

OQPSK

Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (OQPSK) is a variant of Phase Shift Keying modulation that uses four different values of the phase to transmit. This example LabVIEW VI transmits and receives a digital bit stream in software using OQPSK.
Download Now.

Minimum Shift Keying (MSK)

This example examines the Minimum Shift Keying (MSK) digital modulation scheme. 
Download Now.

QAM Symbol Mapping

This example includes background information and step-by-step instructions that examine the Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) digital modulation scheme. 
Download Now.

QAM M-ary vs. Channel Noise

This step-by-step demo illustrates the effect of channel noise on an M-ary QAM signal with a LabVIEW-based simulation that shows how noise can effect the transmission of a textual message.
Download Now.

Phase-Locked Loops

This demo examines the theory behind phase-locked loops with a LabVIEW-based simulation that synchronizes the phase of a generated signal with a reference signal.
Download Now.

LPF and HPF Filter

This example includes background information and step-by-step instructions that explore high- and low-pass filters. We will construct a LabVIEW VI that blocks or attenuates signals of frequencies outside the specified band.
Download Now.

Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)

This example introduces Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) with a LabVIEW-based simulation that appends one signal to the end of another, and displays each in both analog and digital formats.
Download Now.

OFDM

This example examines orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) with a LabVIEW-based simulation of a multi-carrier OFDM digital communication system.
Download Now.

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)

This example includes background information and step-by-step instructions that explore Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), a digital modulation scheme that transmits analog information by altering pulse width.
Download Now.

Pulse Position Modulation (PPM)

This example includes theory and step-by-step instructions that explore Pulse Position Modulation (PPM). 
Download Now.

Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM)

This example includes background information and step-by-step instructions that explore Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM). In this exercise, we will construct a LabVIEW VI that transmits analog information by changing pulse amplitude.
Download Now.

IQ Data

This demo introduces IQ data and explores why it is useful in communications. We will analyze three LabVIEW VI's that show how IQ data represents changes in the magnitude and phase of a sine wave.
Download Now.

Sampling Theorem

This step-by-step example examines the sampling theorem and how it is used to determine minimum sampling speeds. In this exercise, we will construct a LabVIEW VI that illustrates the concept behind the sampling theorem.
Download Now.

Channel Coding

This example examines the processing technique of channel coding with a LabVIEW-based simulation that illustrates how channel coding allows original data to recover from noise in the channel.
Download Now.

Carrier Recovery

Channel noise can have a significant effect on carrier recovery. In this demo, we will analyze a LabVIEW VI that shows what behavior can occur when channel noise is significant enough to prevent carrier locking.
Download Now.


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Hardware Labs and Exercises

The following hardware-based exercises and labs can be used to explore communications concepts using live signals.

Amplitude Modulation

This lab examines the Amplitude Modulation (AM) analog modulation scheme. Fundamentally, analog modulation techniques require changing characteristics of a carrier wave over time.
Download Now.

Frequency Modulation

This lab explores the Frequency Modulation (FM) analog modulation scheme. In this exercise, we will examine two LabVIEW VI's that transmit and receive FM signals using hardware.
Download Now.

Phase Modulation (PM)

This lab examines the Phase Modulation (PM) analog modulation scheme. Using hardware along with LabVIEW VI's, we will transmit and receive a signal with PM.
Download Now.

Single Sideband Modulation (SSB)

This lab examines Single Sideband Modulation (SSB) using hardware. In this exercise, we will analyze two LabVIEW VI's that transmit and receive a modulated single-sideband signal.
Download Now.

Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)

This step-by-step lab explores the Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) digital modulation scheme. In this exercise, we will look at LabVIEW VI's that transmit and receive a digital bit stream in hardware using ASK.
Download Now.

Frequency Key Shifting (FSK)

This lab looks at the Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) digital modulation scheme using hardware. We will analyze two LabVIEW VI's that, using FSK, transmit and receive a digital bit stream.
Download Now.

Phase Shift Keying (PSK)

This lab examines the Phase Shift Keying (PSK) digital modulation scheme using hardware. In this exercise, we will examine LabVIEW VI's that transmit and receive a digital bit stream using PSK.
Download Now.

Differential Phase Shift Keying (DPSK)

Differential Phase Shift Keying (DPSK) is a digital modulation scheme that uses bit patterns to change the phase of a wave as opposed to setting it to a new value. In this lab, we will use hardware to explore two LabVIEW VI's that transmit and receive a digital bit stream using DPSK.
Download Now.

Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (OQPSK)

Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (OQPSK) is a variant of Phase Shift Keying modulation using 4 different values of the phase to transmit. In this lab, we will use hardware to examine two LabVIEW VI's that transmit and receive a digital bit stream using OQPSK.
Download Now.

Minimum Shift Keying (MSK)

This lab looks at the Minimum Shift Keying (MSK) digital modulation scheme. In this exercise, we will use hardware to analyze two LabVIEW VI's that transmit and receive a digital bit stream using MSK.
Download Now.

Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)

This lab examines the Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) digital modulation scheme. Using hardware, we will examine two LabVIEW VI's that transmit and receive a digital bit stream using QAM.
Download Now.

Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM)

This lab illustrates the theory behind Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM), and introduce practical aspects of its implementation. We will take a look at two LabVIEW VI's that transmit and receive analog information by changing pulse amplitude.
Download Now.


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Textbooks and Applicable Courses

Textbooks

Production Testing of RF and System-On-A-Chip Devices for Wireless Communication

Keith B. Schaub
Joe Kelly
Artech House Publishers
ISBN-10: 1580536921
ISBN-13: 9781580536929

 

   

Digital Signal Processing and Digital Communications

Cory Clark
McGraw Hill
ISBN-10: 0071444920
ISBN-13: 9780071444927


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Applicable Courses / Topics

  • Antennas
  • Amplitude, frequency, and phase-modulated communication systems
  • Analog and Digital Communication
  • Satellite Communications
  • Phase Lock Loops: Theory and Practice
  • Communications Circuits
  • Coding Theory
  • Digital Communications
  • Communication System Design
  • Antenna Theory and Design I and II
  • Introduction to Telecommunication Engineering
  • Analog Signal Processing
  • Introduction to Digital Systems
  • Digital Signal Processing
  • Microwave
  • Mobile Communications
  • Communication Theory
  • Data Communications
  • Remote Sensing
  • Radar Systems
  • Wireless Communication Networks
  • Software Radios
  • Simulation of Communication Systems


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Case Studies and Conference Papers

Case Studies

Conference papers


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Videos and Webcasts


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Software Licensing Options

 

NI Academic Site License  
  • Unlimited seats of NI software for your department, college or campus
  • Comprehensive suite of LabVIEW and other communications software
  • Automatic biannual updates with new and upgraded software
 

Student Install Option
  • Students can install NI software on their personal laptops and PCs
  • Affordable pricing for your entire student body
  • Access to all software available in the Academic Site License
 


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Recommended Lab Configurations


NI PXI-5660 - 2.7 GHz RF Vector Signal Analyzer
  • 9 kHz to 2.7 GHz with 20 MHz real-time bandwidth
  • -130 to +30 dBm signal level range
  • 14-bit resolution, 64 MS/s digitizer and high-stability OCXO timebase
  • 32 or 64 MB memory
 

NI Modulation Toolkit
  • Modulation quality measurements such as EVM, modulation error ratio (MER), and rho
  • Visualization tools such as 2D / 3D eye diagrams, trellis, and constellation plots
  • Standard and custom modulation formats (AM, FM, PM, ASK, FSK, MSK, GMSK, PSK, QPSK, PAM, and QAM)
  • Simulate and measure impairments such as AWGN, phase noise, DC offset, IQ gain imbalance, and quadrature skew
 

Recommended Lab Configurations

RF Homepage

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Legal
This tutorial (this "tutorial") was developed by National Instruments ("NI"). Although technical support of this tutorial may be made available by National Instruments, the content in this tutorial may not be completely tested and verified, and NI does not guarantee its quality in any way or that NI will continue to support this content with each new revision of related products and drivers. THIS TUTORIAL IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND AND SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AS MORE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN NI.COM'S TERMS OF USE (http://ni.com/legal/termsofuse/unitedstates/us/).