Implementation and Performance Evaluation of Cooperative Wireless Communications with Beamforming and Software-Defined Radio Techniques

摘要

Software-defined radio (SDR) and transmit beamforming are two key techniques for next-generation wireless communications. In order to blaze a path to introduce these high demand advanced techniques to future entry-level communication engineers, an educational module was developed with well-defined objectives, learning outcomes, and assessment rubrics. This module is developed with the insights of benefits and challenges obtained from a Research Experience for Undergraduate project. Through this module, the students will not only gain valuable knowledge of the state-of-art beamforming technique, SDR concepts, and the universal software radio peripheral (USRP) platform, but also improve their creative thinking ability, hands-on and programming skills. Additional benefits include increased students' interests in communication engineering, higher retention rate and more minority students pursuing graduate degrees.