A software-defined Radio (SDR) is a wireless communication system whose main radio functionalities are implemented in software on an embedded system instead of hardware. The advantages of SDR include its wide range of frequency channels that have configurable bandwidths in addition to its support of multiple configurations and modulations. In this paper, an SDR bridge implemented within a wireless sensor network (WSN) is developed. The SDR bridge is inserted as a gateway between sensor nodes and the end-user receiver to add security to the overall network. For this study, LoRa link is chosen to ensure communication between the network components because of its low power consumption and its long range. Typically, the sensor nodes will send their data to the SDR bridge using LoRa modulation. The bridge will add a layer of security to the overall system by encrypting the signals sent within the bridge. Experimental results found during this study showed that the SDR Bridge allows successful interconnection of the sensor nodes and the end-user receiver. Also, the SDR Bridge prevented reception of the data by the user when data was encrypted unless the proper key was used. Encryption of the signal did not have a significant effect on the QoS since the Packet Loss Ratio (PLR) of the link was around 1.6%. When the bridge is used, the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) was also within the typical values for the LoRa receiver.
[1]
Lijun Qian,et al.
Experimental study of hierarchical Software Defined Radio controlled Wireless Sensor Network
,
2015,
2015 36th IEEE Sarnoff Symposium.
[2]
Vlad Popescu,et al.
SDR-based gateway for IoT and M2M applications
,
2018,
2018 Baltic URSI Symposium (URSI).
[3]
Ilangko Balasingham,et al.
Applications of software-defined radio (SDR) technology in hospital environments
,
2013,
2013 35th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC).
[4]
David Tate,et al.
A Technical Review of Software Defined Radios: Vision, Reality, and Current Status
,
2014,
2014 IEEE Military Communications Conference.
[5]
Gwangil Jeon,et al.
SWICOM: An SDR-Based Wireless Communication Gateway for Vehicles
,
2010,
IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology.
[6]
Keyur K. Patel,et al.
Internet of Things-IOT: Definition, Characteristics, Architecture, Enabling Technologies, Application & Future Challenges
,
2016
.