ADI

Neil Rogers | Staff Engineer, Field Applications

GNU Radio is universally recognized as the benchmark open-source framework for Software Defined Radio. However, at its core is a high-performance DSP engine which is fundamentally hardware agnostic. By restricting our view of GNURadio to the RF spectrum, we overlook its massive potential for general-purpose test and measurement, audio processing, sensor integration, and control loop prototyping. During this workshop, attendees will explore applications of GNURadio to multi-modal sensor, and Industrial I/O (IIO) devices -- transforming the GNURadio into a versatile, low-frequency lab bench. The workshop will use the ADALM2000 (M2K) active learning module and other boards that incorporate analog-to-digital conversion. While traditionally used as a USB oscilloscope and signal generator, the M2K’s ADCs, DACs, and digital I/O can be streamed directly into GNU Radio via the gr-iio ecosystem and libiio bindings. This integration allows users to build complex, real-time signal processing chains for baseband, audio, and sensor data without traditional RF front-ends. In this interactive session, attendees will learn how to interface non-SDR hardware with the GNU Radio companion (GRC) and Python out-of-tree blocks. We will walk through several practical examples, integrating a wide range of application areas, including: Test & Measurement: We will build a custom swept-sine network analyzer to characterize physical analog filters using the M2K’s AWG and oscilloscope channels. Control Systems: We will develop a closed-loop PID controller within GRC to manage a physical circuit, demonstrating deterministic latency management. Colorimetry: We will integrate a colorimetry board into the M2K setup, making use of the GPIO pins and various GUI elements to differentiate primary and secondary color strips. Ultrasonic and Audio Processing: Utilize a low-frequency sampling to filter, decimate, and analyze environmental sensor data or audio-band signals in real-time. Participants will leave with a broadened perspective on GNU Radio's utility. By mastering hardware integration with devices like the M2K, attendees will be able to leverage GNU Radio’s massive library of DSP blocks for hardware-in-the-loop simulations, automated test setups, and educational demonstrations far beyond the traditional SDR domain.