Advanced Communications and Networks

This laboratory is dedicated to exploring the fusion of sensing and communications. It houses the software-defined ultra-wideband (UWB) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, the first ever developed, and built. The system is capable of generating, transmitting, and receiving UWB OFDM waveforms in the baseband spectrum of up to 600 MHz, with flexible sub-carrier allocations. The laboratory also includes a radar range with various custom-made reflectors. High-speed oscilloscopes (Keysight DSOS204A High-Definition Oscilloscope) are used for signal analysis and recording. The setup allows for investigations in object detection, scene imaging, data communications, networking, and positioning/navigation.

This lab has direct access to Miami’s RedHawks Cluster, which provides high-performance computing resources with both CPU and GPU based computing nodes and large memory nodes. This lab also has an AI workstation with 12 –core CPU @ 3.5GHz and 2 Nvdia Quadro RTX 6000 GPU for fast deep learning and reinforcement learning. In addition, the lab possesses a group of DJI MAVIC Air 2 and Tello quadcopters. All the quadcopters are programmable drones that come with dedicated remote controllers and software development toolkits (SDK) for task customization.

This lab is equipped with several NI-USRP which can be programmed to generate and receive different types of signals over the air for investigation. The major focus of this lab is to apply machine learning to classify communication/radar signals, model communication system/radar behaviors, and detect anomaly radar/communication system behaviors. This research can be applied in numerous areas such as RF environment surveillance, cognitive radio, intrusion detection, etc.