Teaching wireless channel modeling with software-defined radio

One of the important aspects in the study of wireless communication is channel modeling that is based on wave propagation theory and empirical measurements models. Most of the common undergraduate curricula address only theoretical aspects of wireless channels, while the related laboratory experiments concentrate on advanced digital modulation techniques and deal with topics such as pilot-based channel estimation and equalization in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing modulation. In this paper, it is shown that some fundamental channel properties may be reproduced with laboratory experiments that require only a basic knowledge of communication principles, such as baseband and bandpass notation. These experiments can be carried out with affordable software-defined radios, which have recently become extremely popular in the teaching of communication. Such experiments may enhance the teaching with hands-on measurements of practical channels, while reinforcing the understanding of probability and random processes theory.