Short Paper—USRP Based Digital Audio Broadcasting Using OFDM in Virtual and Remote Laboratory

USRP Based Digital Audio Broadcasting Using OFDM in

Virtual and Remote Laboratory
https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v15i13.8761

Nagarjuna Telagam (),

GITAM University, Bangalore, India
[email protected]

Padma Charan Sahu

GIET University, Gunupur, India

Sunita Panda
GITAM University, Bangalore, India

Nehru Kandasamy
Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Hyderabad, India

Abstract—Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) is an amazing technology,

achieving its promise of certainly delivering high quality digital audio in the
most vindicate mobile and fixed receiver environments. The radio signal pro-
cessing capability can be provided by Universal software radio peripheral
(USRP) hardware. The received signal frequency can be controlled and trans-
mitting the signal through wireless is possible by installing NI USRP utility
configuration. The programmable USRP was running the VI snippet program in
block diagram panel with radio companion integrated through USB cable on
windows 7 64. With the parameters such as IQ rate, transmitter gain, carrier
frequency along with device name which is given as ni2901_1 the students can
able to tune the radio signal. DAB technology is integrated with USRP device
using prominent orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technique
for promise delivery of high quality audio signal. DAB works under four trans-
mission modes in this paper. In this paper RF0 module is used USRP device is
connected with dual band vertical antenna with 2.4 and 5GHz frequency as Tx1.
This transmitting VI snippet program will support all file formats such as.wav,
mp3, etc. the intention of the paper is to transmit the real time data through long
distance using DAB technology in remote laboratory. The proposed system is
implemented in virtual lab so that it can be accessed by any user from any-
where. This system is successfully tested on institute of aeronautical engineer-
ing virtual lab for the purpose of exposing the Radio frequency tools and signal
processing operations for students.

Keywords—USRP, LabVIEW, DAB, VI, AUDIO.

iJOE ‒ Vol. 15, No. 13, 2019 77

Short Paper—USRP Based Digital Audio Broadcasting Using OFDM in Virtual and Remote Laboratory

1 Introduction

Virtual and remote laboratories reflect a movement among education institutions to

make the equipment and elements of a physical science laboratory more easily availa-
ble to learners from any location, via the web. Users are able to manipulate the
equipment and watch the activities unfold via a webcam on a computer or mobile
device. This provides students with a realistic view of system behavior and allows
them access to professional laboratory tools from anywhere, whenever they need.
Additionally, remote labs alleviate some financial burden for institutions as they can
forgo purchasing specific equipment and use the remote tools that are at their dispos-
al.[10] Laboratory experimentation plays an essential role in engineering and scien-
tific education. Virtual and remote labs reduce the costs associated with conventional
hands-on labs due to their required equipment, space, and maintenance staff. Further-
more, they provide additional benefits such as supporting distance learning, improv-
ing lab accessibility to handicapped people, and increasing safety for dangerous ex-
perimentation. [2]. It is envisioned that all broadcasting systems will be digitalized in
future. New services and more information require high data rates for broadcasting
systems. There are many digital audio broadcasting standards in the world, such as
DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) in Band III and Band L [3].Software radios are
emerging as platforms for multiband multimode personal communications systems.
Radio etiquette is the set of RF bands, air interfaces, protocols, and spatial and tem-
poral patterns that moderate the use of the radio spectrum [4]. Software-defined radios
(SDRs) promise unprecedented flexibility, but their architecture has proven to be a
challenge for MAC protocols [5]. After being the subject of speculation for many
years, a software-defined radio receiver concept has emerged that is suitable for mo-
bile handsets. A key step forward is the realization that in mobile handsets, it is
enough to receive one channel with any bandwidth, situated in any band. Thus, the
front-end can be tuned electronically [6].A system and method for providing one
hardware platform to implement multiple wireless communication standards, services
and applications. The kernel oriented macro based Software defined radio architecture
provides a configurable and programmable hardware platform to implement multiple
wireless standards, services and applications [7]. The experiments based on USRP
device was implemented in virtual and remote lab was explained [8] and same exper-
iment was done for the purpose of students with FM transceiver with large file capa-
bilities [9]. Digital audio signal is broadcasted in rural area with gfdm transceiver
using software defined radio and plotted the graphs [11].

78 http://www.i-joe.org
Short Paper—USRP Based Digital Audio Broadcasting Using OFDM in Virtual and Remote Laboratory

2 Implementation

Fig. 1. Proposed System of DAB using NI USRP 2901

Figure 1 shows the implementation steps of Digital audio broadcasting system us-
ing USRP 2901. The session was opened using vi program which is inbuilt. Then we
configure the signal with active antenna, gain in dB, carrier frequency of the antenna
using NI USRP configure signal utility. We have used input as sound file and con-
verted the analog data to digital signal using the icons in the lab view. The QAM uses
only ones and zeros as input and then output of signal mapper block is connected to
OFDM Transmitter which has nearly 10 blocks in it. OFDM is an amazing technology
with many applications and supports orthogonality to avoid the interferences between
the signals. QAM mapper converts bits to symbols. The two inputs are given to NI
USRP write to data vi with different data types of data. Usually pink color data is
coming from configure signal VI and orange color data which is of signal is connect-
ed to write to data VI. Finally the verto antenna which supports tri bands is used to
transmit the data.

2.1 Experimental set-up with Tri band antenna

Figure 2 shows the experimental set up. The set up usually connects the USRP
2901 using USB Cable. After connecting this device the PC shows the NI configura-
tion device window in which the name of USRP device will appear. The same name
should use at the front panel of the program to run the VI. The figure shows red color
blinking in the device which means the data is transmitting if the device shows green
color the data is receiving.

Fig. 2. Experimental setup of USRP Transmitting Audio Signal

iJOE ‒ Vol. 15, No. 13, 2019 79

Short Paper—USRP Based Digital Audio Broadcasting Using OFDM in Virtual and Remote Laboratory

Connect ni USRP device to computer using USB cable and AC/DC power supply
cable. Configuration of ni USRP devices follows:

• Select Start» All Programs» National Instruments» NI-USRP»NI-USRP Configu-

ration Utility to open the NI-USRP Configuration Utility.
• Your device should appear in the list on the left side of the tab, similar to the fol-
lowing figure.
• If you have multiple devices, verify that you selected the correct device. The de-
vice ID of the selected device displays in the Selected Device ID textbox.

2.2 Working operation

Fig. 3. VI Programs used in LabVIEW

Figure 3 is an glimpse of the icons used in transmitter program. Some of the VI are
already inbuilt in the labview. Here the input is audio signal with different formats.
We have converted the audio file into digital format ie one’s and zero’s because the
QAM signal mapper accepts only digital data to modulate. According to DAB block
diagram the converted digital bits need to encoded. Here we have used convolutional
encoder icon which is already availble in RF Communications labview. Then we have
converted the serial data to parallel format using subset array. Then we have mapped
the bits to symbols and applied IFFT VI to the parallel data. This icon converts
frequency domain data into time domain data with less number of multiplications. We
have used inbuilt VI named cyclic insertion to avoid Intersymbolic Interference
between the symbols. Then we have used array icons to convert this time domain
parallel data to serial data. Finally we have used guard interval block to avoid the
Intercarrier Interference noise. Here table 1 is shown below which is used for
simulation. The simulation parameters are used in labview program. The carrier
frequency used is 1.5GHz.

80 http://www.i-joe.org
Short Paper—USRP Based Digital Audio Broadcasting Using OFDM in Virtual and Remote Laboratory

Table 1. Parameters used in VI program i.e.DAB Transmission Modes

Transmitter separa-
No of Subcarriers Subcarrier spacing Symbol time Carrier Frequency
tion
192 8kHz 155.8µS <3GHz <12Km
1536 1KHz 266.2 µS 375MHz <5Km
384 4KHz 666.6µS 1.5GHz <10Km
768 2KHz 133.3µS 750MHz <20Km

3 VI Program Using LabVIEW

Fig. 4. Digital Audio Broadcasting VI Program used in Block Diagram

iJOE ‒ Vol. 15, No. 13, 2019 81

Short Paper—USRP Based Digital Audio Broadcasting Using OFDM in Virtual and Remote Laboratory

The figure 4 shows the sound file is taken as input with the help of path. The icons
such as sound read, sound write is used. The device ID is used and we have config-
ured the signal. We have converted the analog signal to digital signal using dynamic
data type icon along with analog to digital. VI, and given to array subset. We have
checked the data using appended array and confirmed the output which has only ones
and zeros. 4-QAM mapping is used and we have converted the serial data to parallel
data with the help of arrays. This parallel data is given to IFFT.VI, which converts
frequency domain representation to time domain representation. We have plotted the
response in both phase plot and magnitude plot with the help of graph palate the stu-
dents can able to analyze the different parallel data as shown in figure 7. We have
connected the output of IFFT along with guard band interval to Ni usrp write to
poly.VI which transmits the audio signal through Verito tri band antenna.

4 Results and Discussions

Fig. 5. Screen shot of USRP Configuration in front panel

82 http://www.i-joe.org
Short Paper—USRP Based Digital Audio Broadcasting Using OFDM in Virtual and Remote Laboratory

Fig. 6. Screen shot of Results in Front panel.

Figure 5 & 6 shows the screen shots of front panel. In Figure 8 the one on the top
left is QAM mapping with 4 reference symbols. The I/Q mapping block takes each
symbol sk and maps it to a corresponding complex baseband value Ck in the complex
plane. These values are usually chosen to be as different (or far apart) as possible so
that at the receiver we can discern as clearly as possible what was transmitted. A nice
way to represent the mapping of symbols to complex baseband I/Q values is with a
constellation diagram. The second on the top right corner is FFT(x) signal and third
one to the left below is the phase response of the signal. The last one is IFFT(x) which
gives the digital audio signal in time domain.

5 Conclusion

Thus the Digital Audio Broadcasting system using OFDM is implemented using a
USRP 2901 with tri-band antenna. The real time data is send over 1GHz frequency
with distance of nearly 1Km. The demand for high data rate wireless communication

iJOE ‒ Vol. 15, No. 13, 2019 83

Short Paper—USRP Based Digital Audio Broadcasting Using OFDM in Virtual and Remote Laboratory

has been increasing dramatically over the last decade. OFDM, which is the most
emerging multi-carrier modulation technology of this era, can solve this problem
significantly. This paper has provided an analysis of OFDM behaviors, principles and
analyzed different techniques error reduction and frequency offset estimation that
improve performance of OFDM for wireless communications Lastly the simulation
results found with the help of working setup of OFDM system implementation using
LabVIEW software and USRP hardware which conclude the successful transmission
and reception of information bit using 4 QAM techniques with equalized data and
amplitude after OFDM receiver.

6 References
[1] Heradio, Ruben, Luis de la Torre, Daniel Galan, Francisco Javier Cabrerizo, Enrique Her-
rera-Viedma, and Sebastian Dormido. (2016). Virtual and remote labs in education: A bib-
liometric analysis. Computers & Education, 98: 14-38. https://doi.org/10.10
16/j.compedu.2016.03.010
[2] Di, Na, PengGao, Ge Wan, Jilong Li, and Jinwen Li. (2010). A common SDR platform for
digital audio broadcasting system. In Image and Signal Processing (CISP), 3rd Internation-
al Congress on, 8: 3708-3711. https://doi.org/10.1109/cisp.2010.5647099
[3] Mitola, Joseph, and Gerald Q. Maguire. (1999). Cognitive radio: making software radios
more personal. IEEE personal communications 6, 4: 13-18.
https://doi.org/10.1109/98.788210
[4] Nychis, George, ThibaudHottelier, Zhuocheng Yang, SrinivasanSeshan, and Peter Steen-
kiste.(2009). Enabling MAC Protocol Implementations on Software-Defined Radios. In
NSDI, 9:91-105.
[5] Abidi, Asad A. (2007). The path to the software-defined radio receiver. IEEE Journal of
Solid-State Circuits, 42, 5: 954-966. https://doi.org/10.1109/jssc.2007.894307
[6] Ting, Pangan, Hui-Ming Wang, and Nan-Sheng Huang.(2006). Software defined radio
(SDR) architecture for wireless digital communication systems. U.S. Patent 7,151,925, is-
sued.
[7] Kandasamy, N., Telagam, N., VR, S. R., & Arulananth, T. S. (2017). Simulation of Analog
Modulation and Demodulation Techniques in Virtual Instrumentation and Remote
Lab. International Journal of Online Engineering (iJOE), 13(10): 140-147.
https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v13i10.7575
[8] Nagarjuna, T., S. Lakshmi, and K. Nehru.(2019), USRP 2901-based SISO-GFDM trans-
ceiver design experiment in virtual and remote laboratory. The International Journal of
Electrical Engineering & Education (2019): 0020720919857620.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0020720919857620
[9] Somanaidu, U., Nagarjuna Telagam, K. Nehru, and N. Menakadevi.(2018) USRP 2901
Based FM Transceiver with Large File Capabilities in Virtual and Remote Laboratory. In-
ternational Journal of Online Engineering (iJOE), 14, (10): 193-200. https://doi.org/10.3
991/ijoe.v14i10.8283
[10] https://www.nmc.org/horizon_topic/virtual-and-remote-laboratories/
[11] Nagarjuna Telagam, S.Lakshmi, K.Nehru, (2019). Digital audio broadcasting based gfdm
transceiver using software defined radio, International journal of Innovative technology
and Exploring Engineering, 8, (5): 273-281.

84 http://www.i-joe.org
Short Paper—USRP Based Digital Audio Broadcasting Using OFDM in Virtual and Remote Laboratory

7 Acknowledgement

The corresponding author would like to thank institute of aeronautical engineering,

Hyderabad for establishing virtual instrumentation lab in the college. He would like to
thank his personage, dignitary nd for the best wishes.

8 Authors

Nagarjuna Telagam is currently working in ECE Department, GITAM Universi-

ty, Bangalore, India. His topics of interest are OFDM, GFDM and wireless sensor
networks. He published 25 papers in Scopus indexed Journals and 4 SCIE journals.
He got CLAD certification from National Instruments. Currently he is Ph.D. Research
Scholar in Sathyabama University Chennai. He was awarded Anna University rank
holder (20) for M.E degree in 2014. He has nearly 6 years of experience in teaching
and research.
Padma Charan Sahu is currently working as assistant professor in kalam institute
of technology since 2010. He is currently pursuing Ph.D. in GIET University,
Gunupur. He can be reached at [email protected]
Sunita Panda is with Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering depart-
ment, GITAM University, Bangalore campus. Currently she is Assistant Professor,
Her areas of interest are soft computing, channel equalization, Digital Signal pro-
cessing. She can be reached at [email protected]
Nehru Kandasamy is with Electronics and Communication Engineering, Institute
of Aeronatuical Engineering, Hyderabad, India. He can be reached at nneh-
[email protected]

Article submitted 2018-04-19. Resubmitted 2019-07-10. Final acceptance 2019-07-11. Final version
published as submitted by the authors.

iJOE ‒ Vol. 15, No. 13, 2019 85