Researching Embedded Systems and Software Defined Radios
Exploring the World of Embedded Systems and Software Defined Radios (SDR)
Curiosity has always been the best teacher, and lately, I’ve been diving into the fascinating world of Embedded Systems and Software Defined Radios (SDR)—two fields that blend hardware and software in ways that push the boundaries of technology.
As I am returning to college for a second masters degree in Computer Science, I am looking for more projects that involve other skills closer toward engineering.
This journey isn’t just about learning for myself; it’s about building practical, hands-on projects that others can follow along with. Whether you're new to FPGAs or SDR, or just looking for a fun new challenge, I’ve created GitHub repositories for these projects, making it easy for beginners to get involved.
Why FPGA and SDR?
FPGA and SDR represent two exciting areas of tech that merge engineering, software development, and communication systems:
FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) give you control over hardware at a low level, allowing you to design circuits and optimize for speed and efficiency.
SDRs (Software Defined Radios) turn radio communications into software-driven applications, removing the need for dedicated radio hardware and opening up endless possibilities in signal processing.
These technologies are widely used in industry—from aerospace to telecommunications—but they’re also great for learning and experimentation. The goal of these projects is to break down complex concepts into fun, hands-on experiences that can help anyone get started.
FPGA Research: Understanding Hardware from the Ground Up
For my embedded research, I am using a Xilinx FPGA board and programming it using VHDL. The purpose of this was to gain experience with these devices, learn something new, and see what what interesting outcomes could come from the programming and hardware handling aspects.
Some of the key aspects I’m focusing on:
✅ Learning VHDL and FPGA development workflows
✅ Implementing simple logic circuits and custom processors
✅ Exploring real-world applications like the implications of embedding cryptographic functions in the electronic boards.
To make this accessible to beginners, I’ve created a GitHub repository, documenting every step of this process—so if you’re interested in FPGA development, you can follow along and start experimenting on your own!
SDR Research: Tuning Into the Wireless World
On the SDR side, I've been exploring the utility of tools like SDR Sharp and GNURadio (including flowgraph creation for more complexity) with the RTL-SDR hardware device. In order to receive and analyze signals from various sources like AM, FM, weather satellites, and topics concerning aircrafts- all without needing specialized radio equipment.
Since transmitting signals without a license is restricted, my focus is on theoretical studies and signal reception, covering areas like:
✅ Understanding modulation techniques (AM/FM, digital signals)
✅ Capturing radio signals and visualizing them with waterfall displays
✅ Exploring potential cybersecurity implications in wireless networks
This SDR research is also being documented in a GitHub repository, providing a step-by-step guide for anyone who wants to set up their own software-defined radio station and explore the world of wireless communication.
Learning by Doing
What makes these projects exciting is the hands-on approach—instead of just reading about FPGAs and SDRs, I’m actively building real projects and sharing everything on GitHub. My goal is to make these topics more accessible, whether you’re a student, hobbyist, or professional looking to explore new tech.
