Lightweight and Cost-Effective Spectrum Analyser Based on Software Defined Radio and Raspberry Pi

David Ball, Nitin Naik, Paul Jenkins

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

Abstract

Software Defined Radio (SDR) has become an increasingly credible alternative solution to solid state radio problems. The practical application of SDR in building a spectrum analyser can be complex and expensive; however, the use of lightweight, cost-effective, low-cost SDR and lowpower microprocessors can significantly reduce the cost. This paper investigates ways to build lightweight, cost-effective spectrum analysers and their most effective design and implementation, utilising the RTL-SDR USB device, a software modelling tool (GNU Radio), and a low-power-microprocessor Raspberry Pi. The RTL-SDR USB device, GNU Radio Software and Raspberry Pi are configured together to produce a lightweight SDR-based spectrum analyser. In this particular implementation, the spectrum analyser is used to examine a small section of the electromagnetic spectrum to test the suitability of the configuration for complex Fast Fourier Transform calculations. For comparison purposes, another spectrum analyser is built using a more powerful microprocessor (AMD Turion), and the results recorded and compared. The experimental results and comparative evaluation of the two spectrum analysers demonstrate that the Raspberry Pi-based design performs equally well despite its limited resources and low cost. This shows the success and potential of this SDR and Raspberry Pi-based spectrum analyser as a credible device for a number of intelligence analyses applications in a secure environment.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings - UKSim-AMSS 11th European Modelling Symposium on Computer Modelling and Simulation, EMS 2017
PublisherIEEE
Pages260-266
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9781538614099
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 May 2018
Event11th UKSim-AMSS European Modelling Symposium on Computer Modelling and Simulation, EMS 2017 - Manchester, United Kingdom
Duration: 20 Nov 201722 Nov 2017

Publication series

NameProceedings - UKSim-AMSS 11th European Modelling Symposium on Computer Modelling and Simulation, EMS 2017

Conference

Conference11th UKSim-AMSS European Modelling Symposium on Computer Modelling and Simulation, EMS 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityManchester
Period20/11/1722/11/17

Keywords

  • FFT
  • GNU
  • Raspberry Pi
  • RTL-SDR
  • Software Defined Radio
  • Spectrum Analyser

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